Find a Black Owned Business Near You

Finding a Black Owned Business Near You: Your Ultimate Guide to Empowering Communities

Have you ever found yourself wanting to support local Black-owned businesses but weren't sure where to start? In today's diverse marketplace, connecting with these businesses is easier and more impactful than ever. This guide will help you discover how to find a Black owned business near you, making it simple to direct your spending towards enterprises that uplift communities and foster economic growth.

Why Support Black-Owned Businesses?

Supporting Black-owned businesses is more than just a trend; it's a powerful act of economic empowerment and community building. These businesses are vital pillars in their communities, contributing significantly to local economies and fostering job creation.

• Closing the Racial Wealth Gap: Historically, Black entrepreneurs have faced systemic barriers, including limited access to capital and biased lending practices. By intentionally choosing to support Black-owned businesses, you help to level the playing field and create opportunities for wealth building within these communities. If current trends continue, the median wealth for Black families could be $0 by 2053, highlighting the urgent need for economic support.
• Strengthening Local Economies: When you spend money at local businesses, including Black-owned ones, a significant portion of that money circulates back into the community, often three times more than money spent at national chain stores. This reinvestment helps fund local programs, create jobs, and build a stronger economic foundation for everyone. Black-owned businesses contribute more than $207 billion to the national economy and provide over 1.3 million jobs.
• Fostering Job Creation: Black-owned businesses are crucial for job creation, particularly within their communities. During economic recovery, they are essential for financial stability as they are likely to hire and provide opportunities locally. The number of people employed by Black entrepreneurs saw an annual increase of over 7% as of February 2024.
• Celebrating Unique Offerings and Diversity: Black-owned businesses often bring fresh, innovative perspectives, infusing their cultural heritage and individuality into their products and services. From unique cuisine to groundbreaking services, supporting them means embracing diversity and enjoying high-quality, distinctive offerings.

How to Find a Black Owned Business Near You: Your Go-To Guide

The good news is that finding a Black owned business near you has never been easier, thanks to a variety of online and offline resources. Gone are the days of extensive, manual searching; now, powerful tools are at your fingertips.

Leverage Dedicated Online Directories

Specialized online directories are some of the most comprehensive resources for finding Black-owned businesses across various industries and locations.

• Official Black Wall Street: This is one of the largest directories, listing over 5,000 Black-owned businesses in multiple countries. It also offers a mobile app that alerts users when they are near a Black-owned business, making it incredibly convenient for discovering local spots.
• Support Black Owned (SBO): SBO provides a comprehensive directory to locate Black-owned businesses both locally and online, covering a wide array of categories from automotive services to beauty products.
• BlackBusinessList.Com: Online since 1992, this directory is dedicated to helping people find African American-owned businesses online.
• BlackOwnedAssociation.com (BOA): This platform connects customers with Black-owned businesses across North America, allowing searches by hundreds of categories.
• SHOPBLCK.NET: A one-stop platform designed to market and grow Black businesses across the U.S., strengthening their availability to the public.
• WeBuyBlack: Touted as the "Amazon for Black businesses," this is a large online marketplace offering a wide range of products.
• The Black Shops: A business directory connecting buyers with Black-owned businesses, allowing you to list your business or find one to support.
• Other Notable Directories: Keep an eye out for sites like I Am Black Business, The Black Mall, and Black Directory, all committed to promoting Black entrepreneurship and making it easier to find Black-owned businesses.

Utilize Powerful Mobile Apps

For on-the-go discovery, several mobile apps are specifically designed to help you find a Black owned business near you.

• EatOkra: Often called the "new green book for Black restaurant seekers," EatOkra showcases over 16,000 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, and pop-ups. It also shares the history and stories behind each establishment.
• Blapp (Black App): This app helps users find and support Black businesses across all industries with ease, whether you're looking for local services or online products. It reportedly lists 40,000 Black businesses in the U.S. and aims to support online shopping, acting as a "Black Amazon of sorts."
• Official Black Wall Street App: As mentioned, this app provides alerts when you're near a Black-owned business and allows users to review businesses.
• Black Nile: Known as "Black Amazon," this app provides access to over 3,000 Black-owned stores across 40+ categories and includes Google Maps integration for finding and reviewing businesses.
• BlackGuide: This multi-purpose app highlights Black-owned businesses, local events, and news relevant to the Black community in over 14 major U.S. cities.
• Sould: A cashback app that rewards you for shopping at Black-owned businesses, helping you discover new ones while earning rewards.

Harness the Power of General Search Engines & Maps

Don't underestimate the power of a simple search! Google has made it easier to find a Black owned business near you.

• Google's Black-Owned Business Attribute: Google now allows business owners to label their businesses as Black-owned. This means you can often find them directly through Google Search or Google Maps by including "Black-owned" in your search query (e.g., "Black-owned coffee shop near me").
• Specific Keywords: Use precise keywords like "Black-owned bookstore [your city]," "Black-owned beauty supply [your zip code]," or "Black-owned restaurants in [your neighborhood]."

Explore Social Media & Community Groups

Social media platforms are vibrant hubs for discovering and promoting Black-owned businesses.

• Hashtags: Search for hashtags like #BuyBlack, #SupportBlackOwned, #BlackOwnedBusiness, or #ShopBlack in your local area on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Many businesses actively use these tags to increase their visibility.
• Local Groups: Join local community Facebook groups or online forums. Members often share recommendations for Black-owned businesses in the area.
• Influencers & Curators: Follow accounts dedicated to highlighting Black-owned brands and businesses. Many content creators compile lists and guides, like digital shopping guides with over 600 businesses.

Engage with Local Initiatives & Events

Many cities and organizations actively promote Black-owned businesses through events and dedicated programs.

• Local Chambers of Commerce: Your local African American Chamber of Commerce or a general chamber of commerce may have a directory of Black-owned businesses. The U.S. Black Chambers (USBC) supports over 130 African American chambers nationwide.
• Community Organizations: Non-profit organizations like the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Coalition to Back Black Businesses work to support minority-owned businesses through grants, technical assistance, and resources. They often have lists of businesses they support.
• Pop-Up Shops & Markets: Attend local markets, festivals, and pop-up events. These are fantastic opportunities to discover new businesses, meet the owners, and directly support them. Look for events celebrating National Black Business Month in August.

Tips for Effective Searching and Support

Once you've found a Black owned business near you, here's how to maximize your impact:

• Be Specific: The more specific your search query, the better your results. Instead of just "restaurants," try "Black-owned vegan restaurants."
• Check Reviews: Just like any business, reviews can offer insights into the quality of products or services and customer experience.
• Share Your Finds: If you have a positive experience, share it! Post about the business on social media, leave a review, or tell your friends and family. Word-of-mouth is incredibly powerful for small businesses.
• Sign Up for Newsletters: Many Black-owned businesses offer newsletters with updates, promotions, and new product announcements.
• Buy Gift Cards: Even if you don't need something immediately, purchasing a gift card can provide crucial cash flow for a business.

Conclusion

Empowering Black-owned businesses is a direct way to contribute to economic equity, foster community growth, and celebrate diverse entrepreneurship. With numerous online directories, powerful mobile apps, and local initiatives, finding a Black owned business near you is more accessible than ever before. By consciously choosing where you spend your money, you can create a ripple effect of positive change, helping these vital businesses thrive and enriching the entire community.

What's your favorite Black-owned business you've discovered recently? Share your finds and help others explore!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is it important to specifically support Black-owned businesses?

A1: Supporting Black-owned businesses helps to address historical economic disparities, close the racial wealth gap, create jobs within Black communities, and circulate wealth locally. It also fosters diversity, innovation, and provides vital representation in the marketplace.

Q2: Are there apps that help me find Black-owned businesses for specific categories like food or beauty?

A2: Yes, absolutely! Apps like EatOkra specialize in Black-owned restaurants and food businesses. For natural beauty products, you might find curated marketplaces like Blk + Grn. General apps like Blapp and Official Black Wall Street cover a wide range of industries.

Q3: How can I ensure the business I'm supporting is truly Black-owned?

A3: Many dedicated directories and apps verify businesses before listing them. Additionally, Google now allows businesses to self-identify as Black-owned, which appears in their business profiles. If in doubt, check the "About Us" section on their website or social media, or look for mentions of their founders.

Q4: What are some challenges Black-owned businesses face?

A4: Black-owned businesses often face significant hurdles, including limited access to capital and loans, biased lending practices, and historical exclusion from certain markets. They are also more likely to rely on costly alternatives like credit cards for startup capital. Your support helps them overcome these systemic barriers and thrive.