Introduction – Sustainable Black Owned Businesses
Every purchase we make tells a story about our values and our vision for the world we want to live in. When we choose sustainable black owned businesses, we’re showcasing our commitment to enriching underrepresented communities and conserving the vitality of our planet.
This love for our Earth and fellow humans underscores the eclectic world of black-owned, sustainable brands that we’ll delve into.
Understanding Sustainability
At its core, sustainability is the consciousness of our planet’s finite resources and our aspiration to protect these resources for our posterity. With our choices, we can invoke a powerful change by choosing zero waste, sustainable products, thereby leaving a beneficial impact on our planet.
Spotlight on Black-Owned Sustainable Brands by Category
In this article about black-owned sustainable businesses, we will shine a light on companies that are not just transforming their respective industries but also embodying change that reverberates beyond their product lines. These companies innovate with intent, prioritize sustainability, empower communities, and prove that commerce and conscience can coexist harmoniously.
Sustainable Fashion – Sustainable Black Owned Businesses
Studio 189
Co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, Studio 189 is much more than just a fashion lifestyle brand; it’s a social enterprise with an impressive record, having recently won the CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability.
Artisan-produced and proudly made in Africa, the brand showcases African and African-inspired content and clothing, honoring and elevating traditional craftsmanship techniques such as natural plant-based dye indigo, hand-batik, and kente weaving
But Studio 189’s reach goes beyond clothing. The brand is heavily invested in community and sustainability, operating a physical store and a manufacturing facility in Accra, Ghana, while supporting a plethora of community-led projects both in Africa and the USA.
The enterprise works with artisanal communities, focusing on creating jobs, fostering empowerment, and supporting education and skills training. Its strong commitment to ethical practices is further exemplified by partnerships with organizations like the United Nations ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and NYU Stern School of Business.
Studio 189 has collaborated with major brands including Lexus, EDUN (LVMH), Fendi, Nike, Opening Ceremony, The Surf Lodge, Okay Africa, and Yoox Net a Porter, broadening its impact and reach. This multifaceted approach makes Studio 189 a standout example of how fashion can be both stylish and sustainable while having a significant positive impact on communities.
Naja
Founded by Catalina Girald and Golden Globe-winning actress Gina Rodriguez, Naja is redefining lingerie through a lens of social and environmental responsibility.
The co-founders share a deep commitment to women’s empowerment, evident in initiatives like Underwear for Hope, which trains and employs at-risk single mothers to sew. The brand is also eco-conscious, employing sustainable printing technologies and materials made from recycled plastic bottles.
Naja’s commitment to quality and ethics goes beyond platitudes; it is woven into the fabric of their business model. Every item they offer combines meticulous attention to detail, usually reserved for luxury lingerie, with environmental sustainability.
Natural Wellness & Beauty – Sustainable Black Owned Businesses
Beauty Bakerie
Founded and led by Cashmere Nicole, a breast cancer survivor and advocate for kindness, Beauty Bakerie goes far beyond the traditional scope of beauty brands. This innovative brand brings together the sweetness of a modern bakery with high-performance makeup and skincare.
At its core, the brand aspires to make everyone feel beautiful both inside and out, while also serving as a tool for self-discovery. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about the deeper power of feeling good.
Cashmere Nicole embodies the spirit of activism in makeup, creating a platform to uplift, educate, and inspire, all governed by love and faith.
Beauty Bakerie stands out for its commitment to ethical practices and community building. The brand is keen on championing underserved causes and aims to make the world a sweeter place through clean, quality products.
As “Activists in Makeup,” they find their purpose at the intersection of beauty, culture, and positive change, leading with humanity and joy.
Sustainable Food & Beverage – Sustainable Black Owned Businesses
A Dozen Cousins
Inspired by the melting pot of Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cooking he grew up with, Ibraheem Basir founded A Dozen Cousins to bridge the gap between convenient and wholesome ethnic foods.
The brand is named after his daughter and her 11 cousins, embodying the essence of family gatherings and shared meals. A Dozen Cousins offers a variety of ready-to-eat beans that are not only delicious but also steeped in the rich culinary traditions of Black and Latino cultures.
These meals are crafted with integrity, using only high-quality, non-GMO ingredients like beans, vegetables, and nutrient-dense avocado oil, with a focus on authentic flavors and recipes that span the Americas.
The brand’s mission extends beyond just providing great food; it aims to inspire families from diverse backgrounds to adopt healthier lifestyles and live longer, more vibrant lives.
Acknowledging the socio-economic health disparities that affect underprivileged communities in the U.S., A Dozen Cousins offers annual grants and volunteer support to non-profit organizations working to reverse these trends.
Reusable Lifestyle Products – Sustainable Black Owned Businesses
Founded by Emily, Healthish addresses a common problem many of us face: the struggle to maintain consistent water intake. Emily herself faced this issue and couldn’t find a solution in the market, prompting her to create the Healthish Bottle.
This isn’t just another water bottle; it features time markings to gently remind you when to sip throughout the day. Fill it twice, and you’ve met your daily water quota.
Not only does it serve its functional purpose impressively—95% of surveyed buyers reported an increase in their water consumption—it’s also durable, stylish, and feels luxurious to hold.
What sets Healthish apart is its holistic approach to well-being. This isn’t a brand for the fitness-obsessed or the health indifferent; it’s for those who aim for balance, promoting a lifestyle that’s “not too healthy and not too unhealthy.”
This pragmatism reflects in their community-centric focus, inviting hundreds of thousands to join them in a collective journey toward better hydration and a balanced life.
Conclusion
Our journey towards a sustainable environment and socially-empowered world begins with our everyday choices. Choosing black-owned, sustainable brands is an actionable way to contribute to this collective movement towards equity and environmental preservation.
Each purchase speaks volumes about the kind of world we wish to inhabit. So, let’s let our actions echo our commitment – it’s time to shop sustainably and inclusively.
