National Black Business Month (pt.2)

Last week, I dove into Black Business Month and the state of Black Owned Businesses in our country.?This week, I wanted to highlight some ways individual consumers and larger companies can support Black-owned businesses:??

Take supplier diversity seriously:?

While many companies claim to have a supplier diversity program, whether supplier diversity is taken seriously is another question entirely.?I have encountered numerous companies and corporations that treat supplier diversity as a box to check or an afterthought. Supplier diversity should be a priority. It has commercial advantages, it can give you the edge over the competition, and it’s the right thing to do.?

When you can, put in a little more effort:

I am the first to admit how convenient Amazon Prime is, and I absolutely use it.?On the other hand, there is a time and a place for more mindful spending. When possible, seek out local Black-owned stores or suppliers who may not have the budget for advertising or SEO that giant corporations use. While it may take some extra time, it is almost always worth it. Small businesses frequently offer a sense of connection and personalization that is so frustratingly absent from big box stores. Plus if you need help or customer service, you are a lot less likely to encounter a bot.??

Seek out diverse brands at your regular stores:?

While finding a local small business to support is awesome, supporting Black-owned brands and businesses doesn’t always have to mean a major deviation from your regular stores. Target has a specific page on its website highlighting Black-owned brands broken down by category. You can check out Black-owned liquor brands and ship them right to your door on reservebar.com. Yelp even allows you to search for Black-owned restaurants in your area - here are the top 10 here in Las Vegas.??

Be mindful:?

Don’t just support a Black Business (or any business at all) just to say you did it and then never come back. Seek out Black brands and companies that you want to continue supporting because they provide a product or service that you love.?This shouldn’t be just a trend or a one-off, and you should want to recommend that business to your friends and family and be proud to do so.