Following the police killing of George Floyd in May, protests have broken out across the country. We encourage everyone to join the fight by marching in local protests, signing online petitions, donating, and calling your elected officials, but there’s another way to fight systemic racial inequality, and that’s by putting your money where your mouth is. Make a commitment to support Black-owned businesses in your area.
Right now, Twitter users are asking their friends and followers to share their own or their favorite Black-owned businesses. While sifting through social media responses is one way to find spots to support, there are a lot of tweets containing the phrase “Black-owned businesses.” So if you’re looking to find a Black-owned business quickly — perhaps in time for take-out dinner tonight — there are also many useful resources online and in the app store that can help.
Ahead are top-ranking websites and apps that allow you to locate and patronize Black-owned businesses in your area. Download these apps and visit these websites to find restaurants, stores, and a variety of different establishments all founded by Black entrepreneurs.
The Black Owned Directory
The Black Owned Directory is a new website that is itself Black-owned and was created for people of all races to come together and support Black-owned businesses nationwide. According to Jasmine Carter, The Black Owned Directory’s founder, “Shopping Black-owned should be a lifestyle, not a fad.” The platform allows users to discover Black-owned businesses nearby, as well as shop online goods and services. Shoppers can type in keywords and scroll through Black-owned business listing results that pop up. Each business profile shares details about the business, its website link, photos, videos, social media pages, contact information, hours of operation, and more. The directory’s Google Maps integration also allows users to easily locate businesses in their city, within a radius of the user’s choice.
Follow The Black Owned Directory on Instagram
Follow The Black Owned Directory on Twitter
Like The Black Owned Directory on Facebook
Black Nation
Black Nation was launched in 2018 by entrepreneur Rameish Budhoo. The app allows Black-owned businesses to have a place to list their companies for free and to create visibility, not just to people in their areas but for people around the world. To use the app as a consumer, simply search for the kind of business you need in dozens of categories and check out the top results instantly.
According to a Black Nation spokesperson, “The name of the App was crucial. We wanted the name of the App to reflect its vision and purpose, which is Black empowerment and Black ownership, but most importantly Black unity, thus the name Black Nation.”
Download Black Nation on iOS
Download Black Nation on Google Play
eatOkra
Founded in 2016 by Anothy Edwards and Janique Bradley, eatOrka is a Black-owned restaurant directory. As of right now, the app features over 2,500 Black-owned restaurants across the country. With eatOkra, you can search by cuisine and location. Once you’ve identified the restaurant you’d like to patronize, you can select delivery or navigate. Select delivery and the app will show you which apps or services the restaurant delivers through. Select navigate, and you’ll be shown directions through your preferred navigation app or ride-share service. On the app, you can also recommend a business to be featured.
According to the company’s website, eatOkra’s mission is “to provide a food-themed directory that encourages fellowship through one specific avenue, Black food.”
Download eatOkra on iOS
Download eatOkra on Google Play
Official Black Wall Street
With over 5,000 Black-owned businesses in 10 different countries currently listed, Official Black Wall Street is one of the largest Black-owned business discovery apps. Black business owners can create a listing for their business through the app, and consumers can find Black-owned businesses of all kinds in their area, as well as access reviews, directions, photos, offers, and more. The app also allows users to receive alerts when they are near a Black-owned business so they can pop in and check it out.
Official Black Wall Street was founded in 2014 by Mandy Bowman, and according to the app’s About Us section, “Studies show that out of [Black Americans’] $1.1 trillion buying power only 2% is invested in Black-owned businesses. This platform was created out of a need to support businesses that are owned and operated by Black entrepreneurs to funnel more of that money back into our communities.”
Download Official Black Wall Street on iOS
Download Official Black Wall Street on Google Play
WhereU Came From
Launched in 2016 by business psychologist and tech executive Dr. Dionne Mahaffey as a subsidiary of her company, The CPAI Group, Inc., WhereU Came From publishes crowd-sourced listings and referrals about Black-owned businesses. The app and website both have a business search functionality, which offers a real-time leaderboard of Black-owned businesses across categories, ranked by peer-to-peer referral counts.
Download WhereU Came From on iOS
I Am Black Business
I Am Black Business is a company whose main purpose is to “empower and uplift the Black businesses that already exist.” The website and app act as directories of Black-owned businesses in your area. You can discover new spots to support as well as search for specific services. According to the official website, the organization’s goal is two-fold. It’s here to help Black business owners use technology to expand their reach and increase profitability. I Am Black Business also helps “equip customers with a tool that will allow them to consciously decide where they spend their money and who they are supporting.”
Download I Am Black Business on iOS
Download I Am Black Business on Google Play
Support Black Owned
Founded in 2012, Support Black Owned is a dedicated search-engine for Black-owned businesses. You can use the SBO app or website to find a business through the state search, category search, global search, or site search options. In addition to helping consumers support Black-owned businesses, SBO provides a communication link between customers and owners in an effort to improve experiences and products.
Download Support Black Owned on iOs
Download Support Black Owned on Google Play
Got Soul?
GotSoul? is a restaurant guide and food experiences app that features over 4,300 African-inspired restaurants and dining experiences. Find Cajun food, Creole food, Nigerian food, Gullah food, Jamaican food, Afro-Brazilian food, and more near you. According to WENY News, 98% of the restaurants and experiences found on the app are Black-owned. In addition to being a guide, Got Soul? also offers time-based discounts every day. Simply pick a restaurant or food experience, click, and get a digital coupon or voucher that can be redeemed instantly.
Download Got Soul? on iOs
Download Got Soul? on Google Play
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