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Black-Owned Design Businesses You Can Support Right NowView 20 Photos

Black-Owned Design Businesses You Can Support Right Now

These artists, makers, and small businesses are essential voices in the design community.
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As worldwide protests continue the fight against police brutality and systemic racism, we must remember that Black communities are also contending with the compounded effects of COVID-19: Black Americans are dying at three times the rate of white people due to economic disadvantages, and only 12% of Black and Latino business owners have been approved for a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan. A direct way to support Black communities is to shop at Black-owned brands and businesses; below, we’ve compiled some of our favorites to start. Shout out your suggestions to the comments below, and we’ll add them to the list!

Black Pepper Paperie Co.

Washington, D.C. native and designer Hadiya Williams founded Black Pepper Paperie Co., a design studio and lifestyle brand.

Washington, D.C. native and designer Hadiya Williams founded Black Pepper Paperie Co., a design studio and lifestyle brand.

Black Pepper Paperie Co. draws from founder Hadiya Williams’s influences across the African diaspora to create handcrafted ceramic jewelry, home decor, paper goods, and apparel.

Lolly Lolly Ceramics

Lalese Stamp, an artist based in Columbus, Ohio, runs Lolly Lolly Ceramics.

Lalese Stamp, an artist based in Columbus, Ohio, runs Lolly Lolly Ceramics.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, ceramics artist Lalese Stamps crafts pieces that are abstract, whimsical, and functional all at once. Of her wares, the most popular are her mugs that feature spirals, spheres, and spikes as the handles. 

Clare

Clare is your go-to resource for stress-free paint selection.

Clare is your go-to resource for stress-free paint selection.

Founder and interior designer Nicole Gibbons makes paints pleasurable by streamlining the entire experience—from shopping, to achieving color accuracy, to getting fuss-free paint swatches. All paints and supplies can delivered to your doorstep. 

Sweeten

In a guest segment on NBC's Today Show, CEO and architect Jean Brownhill of Sweeten shows anchor Savannah Guthrie a gut renovation in progress.

In a guest segment on NBC's Today Show, CEO and architect Jean Brownhill of Sweeten shows anchor Savannah Guthrie a gut renovation in progress.

Sweeten is the brainchild of CEO and architect Jean Brownhill. Similar to a matchmaking service, Sweeten accurately pairs clients with architects and contractors for home and commercial projects. The meticulous vetting process ensures that both parties’ needs are met. 

Jungalow

Award-winning design blogger Justina Blakeney’s Jungalow is a go-to source for boho home decor ideas and inspiration.

Award-winning design blogger Justina Blakeney’s Jungalow is a go-to source for boho home decor ideas and inspiration.

Offering boho inspiration with a modern mindset, creative director Justina Blakeney runs Jungalow from Los Angeles. Her company offers home decor, artwork, apparel, plants, wallpaper, and more—plus, the company plants two trees with every order. 

BLK MKT Vintage

BLK MKT Vintage believes that "Black storytelling is paramount," and that artifacts such as this African Liberation Day protest pamphlet narrate the richness of Black lived experiences. 

BLK MKT Vintage believes that "Black storytelling is paramount," and that artifacts such as this African Liberation Day protest pamphlet narrate the richness of Black lived experiences. 

Founded by Brooklyn natives Kiyanna Stewart and Jannah Handy, BLK MKT Vintage is a collection of vintage wares spanning literature, vinyl records, home décor, and furniture that speak to Black culture and history.

Bolé Road Textiles

Hana Getachew takes her design drawings and sends them to her artisan partners in Ethiopia to help her bring vision to life. 

Hana Getachew takes her design drawings and sends them to her artisan partners in Ethiopia to help her bring vision to life. 

After working in architecture and interior design for a number of years, Ethiopian-American designer Hana Getachew decided to make a change and marry her desire to create Ethiopian products with her love for textiles. Her Brooklyn-based studio Bolé Road Textiles brings bold, traditional fabrics that are handwoven in Ethiopia to a broader market.

Détroit Is The New Black

"DITNB started with the intention of creating a space for diversity in a changing city landscape," says founder Roslyn Karamoko. "I was inspired by the artists and creative talent fueling the culture of the city and wanted to create a brand to promote that energy. I felt passionate about bridging the history of the city with the evolving narrative of renaissance."

"DITNB started with the intention of creating a space for diversity in a changing city landscape," says founder Roslyn Karamoko. "I was inspired by the artists and creative talent fueling the culture of the city and wanted to create a brand to promote that energy. I felt passionate about bridging the history of the city with the evolving narrative of renaissance."

Located in a newly awakened downtown, Roslyn Karamoko’s Détroit Is The New Black (DITNB) is a brand, retail shop, event space, and art gallery that celebrates the city’s creative output. The brick-and-mortar and online concept store offers clothing, accessories, and beauty products that facilitate an ongoing dialogue of socioeconomic status, race issues, and revitalization initiatives in Detroit.  

Printed •Pattern• People

Embroidered pillows are handcrafted and sewn on a cotton canvas base.

Embroidered pillows are handcrafted and sewn on a cotton canvas base.

Brooklyn-based Shadé Akanbi is the curator and founder of Printed•Pattern•People, which aims to showcase culture through art and fashion. The online shop offers a broad swath of products which range from handmade clothing to shoes and bags, and from accent pieces to patterned bedding. 

Sincerely, Tommy

Founded by Kai Avent-deLeon, Sincerely, Tommy is a Brooklyn-based concept store that focuses on art and fashion.

Founded by Kai Avent-deLeon, Sincerely, Tommy is a Brooklyn-based concept store that focuses on art and fashion.

Sincerely, Tommy, founded by Kai Avent-deLeon, is an acutely chic lifestyle store featuring up-and-coming designers, artists, and other talents. The online collection is a covetable mix of home décor, clothing, accessories, jewelry, and wellness products. 

Bee Harris

Bee Harris’s illustrations are offered as prints, stationery, apparel, and more.

Bee Harris’s illustrations are offered as prints, stationery, apparel, and more.

Brittany "Bee" Harris is a social justice advocator, creator, and visual artist whose splashy and bold illustrations represent and speak to a multitude of important issues of the Black diaspora. Products are available as prints, stationery, apparel, and accessories. An endometriosis and uterine fibroids diagnosis also spurred Harris to found RootedSol, which uses cannabis to ease the symptoms of PMS.

La Botica

La Botica’s Selene Body Suit and Ceremony Candle are modeled in the company’s SS20 lookbook.

La Botica’s Selene Body Suit and Ceremony Candle are modeled in the company’s SS20 lookbook.

Founder and creative director Dawn Marie West designs luxury candles and "chill-wear" under the moniker La Botica, located in New York City.

Domicile 37

Design blogger Jessica Reilly, pictured here at her West Texas home, specializes in eclectic home decor and DIY design ideas.

Design blogger Jessica Reilly, pictured here at her West Texas home, specializes in eclectic home decor and DIY design ideas.

Fusing her background in industrial and interior design, blogger Jessica Reilly offers effortlessly graceful living through a DIY lens. With her shop on Etsy, she offers curated trinkets and treasures from all over the world.

Malene Barnett

Malene Barnett works in various mediums spanning painting, printing, fiber art, and ceramics.

Malene Barnett works in various mediums spanning painting, printing, fiber art, and ceramics.

Artist and activist Malene Barnett shares her interpretations of the Black experience through ceramic tiles, mixed-media paintings, handwoven rugs, and other art forms inspired by her extensive travels. Her online shop currently offers one-of-a-kind ceramics, paintings, print pieces, and tapestries.

AAKS

The Tia Ruffle bucket bag by AAKS is crafted from woven raffia in Ghana.

The Tia Ruffle bucket bag by AAKS is crafted from woven raffia in Ghana.

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi founded AAKS after graduating with a fashion degree from Kingston University London. The company’s exuberantly colored bags are handwoven by artisan weavers in her native Ghana and take about one week each to produce.

Dressing Room Interiors Studio

Ariene Bethea is the creator of Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio, which offers an array of artistic vintage pieces in striking color combinations, graphics, and patterns. 

Ariene Bethea is the creator of Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio, which offers an array of artistic vintage pieces in striking color combinations, graphics, and patterns. 

Based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ariene Bethea is the founder of boutique furniture shop Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio. Her vintage collection spans art, mirrors, case goods, coffee tables, decor and accessories, lighting, seating, and tables. As a tastemaker, she has a natural talent for blending vintage with modern pieces to offer an overall timeless appeal. 

Recycled Modern

Located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, Recycled Modern, a vintage, upcycled, and handcrafted furniture and home dccor shop. 

Located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, Recycled Modern, a vintage, upcycled, and handcrafted furniture and home dccor shop. 

Shari Currie owns and operates Recycled Modern in Chicago, which prides itself on offering customers vintage and upcycled pieces that are lovingly handcrafted. For those who seek eco-conscious living without sacrificing style, her finds include midcentury accessories, accent pieces, industrial lighting, limited edition mixed-media art, and more.

Jomo Furniture

Jomo Tariku’s chairs and stools are displayed at the Beyond the Mask installation at Plant Seven.

Jomo Tariku’s chairs and stools are displayed at the Beyond the Mask installation at Plant Seven.

Jomo Tariku is an Ethiopian-American industrial designer and artist whose heritage permeates all of the products he creates by hand. Akin to functional pieces of art, his geometric and modernist creations include chairs, stools, end tables, and more. 

Silked

Silked was founded in Los Angeles, California, by Phoenix Gonzalez and Sandra McCurdy.

Silked was founded in Los Angeles, California, by Phoenix Gonzalez and Sandra McCurdy.

Phoenix Gonzalez and Sandra McCurdy founded Silked, which offers everything you need to get an optimal night of beauty sleep. Products include their innovative Silk Pillow Sleeve, created to nourish skin and hair; the also features beauty products, accessories, and more.

Related Reading: 

8 Black Designers Challenging the Status Quo With Socially Impactful Work

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