Washington, DC has an incredible variety of amazing Black-owned businesses that you can support right now and always.
When we’re thoughtful of how we spend our dollars, we can have a real, lasting, and positive impact.
Many of the businesses listed below are small businesses. Small businesses suffered some tough financial losses during coronavirus stay-at-home orders. With your support, you can help these businesses to stay open.
If you can’t financially support these businesses right now, there are other ways you can help. Recommend these businesses to friends and family. Share, follow, like, comment, and support these businesses on social media. And bookmark these businesses for a future date when you plan to buy gifts.
Now let’s get to it! Here are some amazing Black-owned businesses in the Washington, DC area that you can support right now and always!
Home & Decor
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in home and decor.
Nubian Hueman: This marketplace has an incredible variety of fair-trade goods, fashion, and art from artists around the world.
Souk & Soul: This company supports and empowers local artisans in Morocco by promoting their work in the global marketplace. Be sure to check out the beautiful brass houseware items.
Carlee Ingersoll: Carlee creates custom portraits using photos you submit. You can see examples of her incredible work here.
Grounded: An online plant store! If the idea of getting several plants at once is too overwhelming (raises hand), you can sign up for a subscription service that will deliver one plant each month for three months. Genius! Find out more here.
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in clothing and apparel.
T|W Tote: Two coworkers from my day job, Shallon and Sherika, started this fantastic company. They create vegan leather totes that are luxurious and professional-looking. I just ordered this blue one and can’t wait to use it.
All Very Goods: Beautifully-designed bandanas that serve as conversation starters on culture and identity. Be sure to take a look at the face mask collection. I’m excited to have this one coming my way.
Bailiwick Clothing Company: Shirts with messages designed to capture the culture and vibrance of the District of Columbia.
Sun Gods: A Bohemian Afro-Chic lifestyle brand that sources unique and authentic fabrics from around the world. Be sure to browse the beautiful face masks.
Jesus Be Known’: I love the company’s tag line – “apparel and accessory line that allows you to share your love for Jesus and everything He’s done for you without speaking a word”. Take a look at the “Jesus Be Known'” tee with gloss wording.
Lettie Gooch: An independent women’s boutique featuring emerging designers and a hand-picked collection of wearable and well-made pieces.
SHOP M DOT ROSS: An online boutique with timeless, affordable, high-quality closet staples that women can incorporate into their everyday wardrobe. I’ve ordered this gorgeous red sports bra and can’t wait to get it.
Threadleaf: A small, independent boutique with fashion-forward, responsibly-made clothing and accessories. Visit their shop in Old Town Alexandria or shop their collection of timeless clothing online.
Chris Cardi: Clothing line that infuses streetwear aesthetics with classic, well-tailored staples.
Tree Fairfax: A collection of minimalist leather goods, featuring high-quality wallets, belts, and bags.
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in gifts, jewelry, and accessories.
Capital Gift Baskets:Your resource for fresh, modern gifts for both business and personal gift giving. Be sure to check them out for customizable gifts for your next event.
A.M. Thorne:Simple, elegant pieces of jewelry. Check them out to see why they’re described as “delicate but strong”.
Cindy Liebel: Hand-fabricated jewelry using sustainable raw precious metals with an “unconventional, eco-chic style”.
Honestly Speaking: Ever have something you want to say from the heart, but aren’t sure how to say it? That’s where these cards come in. These cards help you get the tough conversation started.
Siyo Boutique: Fun and sassy greeting cards and gifts that will make anyone’s day. These 90s stickers are totally rad.
Lee’s Flower Shop:This family-owned shop opened in 1945! Order same-day flower delivery or pickup here.
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in candles and fragrance.
Cadence Candle Co.: This candle company specializes in six signature scents made to enlighten a particular mood. Plus, each candle comes with a link to a handcrafted music playlist.
Frerés Branchiaux Candle Co.: Three young brothers manage this candle company. And they’re raising money to purchase a mobile candle truck! Help them out by donating here.
Pozē Candle Co.: Luxury candles with premium soy wax and wooden wicks – which means you’ll get that fun, crackling effect of wood burning.
Good Day Scents Candle Co.: Hand-poured candles designed to capture the essence of unforgettable memories and experiences.
Warm Embers Candle Co.: The tag line says it all – “If you love them, buy them candles.” Check out the fun candle names, including “Unicorn Tears” and “I Want Brunch”.
Health & Beauty
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in health and beauty.
Absolute Joi: Clean, simple, and effective skincare products made with natural ingredients for women of color.
Best Life Organics: Small-batch skincare products made with ethically-sourced, non-toxic ingredients.
BLK + GRN: A health and beauty marketplace that promotes all-natural products by Black artisans. Read about founder Dr. Henderson’s incredible story here.
Brown Beauty Co-op:One-of-a-kind cooperative between Marjani, a premier beauty retailer specializing in products for women of color, and Product Junkie, a natural hair start-up. Their retail store serves as an incubator for emerging beauty brands to showcase their products and services.
Oh So Good Organics: Organic, natural, vegan, handcrafted candles, soaps, and bath products, with the goal of making it easy to incorporate organic products into our daily lives.
Janet & Jo.: Vegan, cruelty-free nail lacquers. After watching her family members battle breast cancer, founder Kendra Woolridge ensured that her products were free of the ingredients commonly found in nail products that are linked to cancer, birth defects, reproductive issues, and known allergens.
Mischo Beauty: Luxe non-toxic nail lacquer. Founder Kitiya Mischo King was inspired to make these clean, luxurious nail lacquers when she struggled to find a safe, high-quality nail polish while pregnant with her son.
Native Beauty Company: Eco-skincare boutique that offers a tranquil space for waxing, sugaring, massage, facials, and skin treatments.
Red Dirt: Plant-based, natural skincare products that are crafted with intuition and made by hand.
Shea Yeleen: Through the production and sale of organic, fair-trade shea butter products, this company works to empower women in West Africa and the United States.
The Wellness Apothecary: This site specializes in affordable, clean, and natural health and beauty products to cultivate a holistic lifestyle. In addition to great beauty products, check out the fun accessories like this tote.
Food & Beverage
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in food and beverage.
Adjourn Teahouse: Unique, hand-blended, sustainably-sourced teas. Plus beautiful accessories. I’ve ordered this beauty and can’t wait to show it off.
Calabash Tea:Teas, tonics, spices, and an incredible variety of other wellness items. You can even search their website by health need (stress, allergies, immunity-boosting, etc.) to find wellness products to fit your needs!
Cultured Kombucha: The website says it best: “Treating yourself to something your body actually deserves? Dope.” Get yourself some dope kombucha! You can even order it for your next event.
Ivy’s Tea Co.: Herbal tea and herb-infused sweeteners inspired by pop culture and Hip-Hop. You need to check out the phrases on the teacups and saucers here.
Oh-Mazing!: Tasty, natural granola in a variety of fun flavors. Get a variety pack so you can taste them all.
Sankofa Beer Company: Premium craft beer, inspired by the founders’ connection to West Africa. You can order the beer for pick-up and delivery here.
The Spice Suite: This spice shop specializes in gourmet, exotic, and tantalizing spices. Plus, the shop has invited other Black business partners to sell their products in the store by hosting over 400 pop-up shops. Check out this incredible eBook – The Little Black SpiceBook – for spice recipes you can make at home.
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in education, money, wine, and fitness.
KidOvation Stage: From summer camp to in-school residences, KidOvation Stage provides engaging educational programming for children ages 3-8. Learn more about their amazing program here.
Wealth Over Now: Keina is a passionate financial coach helping women to achieve their financial goals. The Mimosas + Money Matters get-together looks amazing — learn about money in a safe (and fun!) environment. Find out more here.
Vino 301: My coworker Leslie somehow rocks her day job, plus runs this incredible wine tour company. Her company offers wine, beer, spirit, and cheese tours in Maryland. Check out tour dates here.
Delaplane Cellars: If you’re looking for fantastic wine, an amazing view, and the best cheeseboard of your life, head to Delaplane Cellars.
Boombox Boxing Club: Boxing-inspired training classes based on a love for music, boxing, and community. Sign-up for one of their virtual classes here.
Sidebarre:A high intensity, low impact full-body workout. Visit their website to find out about their community support classes, where 100% of the proceeds support a local organization.
Bookstores
Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC specializing in books.
Harambee Books & Artworks:This bookstore in Old Town Alexandria offers a unique selection of books and hard-to-find classic literature by and about people of African descent.
Loyalty Bookstore: An independent bookstore specializing in books that highlight diverse voices and creatives.
Mahogany Books: Local, independent bookstore specializing in books written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora.
Sankofa: Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe strives to be a place of thoughtful consideration of the past and future via books, films, and programming, particularly generated by and about people of African Descent.
Are there Black-owned businesses in Washington, DC that you’d like to add to this list? I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at pam@eastbymidwest.com.
