We spend our days trying to make communities better and brighter, and if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s this: diverse businesses don’t just add color to a community’s economy; they add strength. When Black-owned businesses thrive, entire neighborhoods thrive, too. More jobs yield more local spending and many more reasons to be proud of where you live.
So whether you’ve got 20 minutes, 20 dollars, or a full free Saturday, here are some fun (and genuinely doable) ways to show up for Black-owned businesses this month, and every month after that, too.
- The Lunch Break Challenge
Turn your lunch hour into a little adventure. Round up a coworker or two and commit to trying a new Black-owned restaurant each week for the rest of the month. Snap a group photo, post it to Instagram or LinkedIn, and tag the spot. (Bonus points if your group chat turns it into a friendly competition for “best find of the month.”)
- Introduce Vendors to Your Employer
If your organization engages with purchasing, HR, marketing, or vendors in any way, take five minutes to scan your company’s supplier list. Is your next round of corporate catering, printing, retreat facilitation, or IT support an opportunity to bring a Black-owned business into the fold?
- Sign Up for a Workshop or Class
Support doesn’t stop at retail. Black entrepreneurs run wellness studios, pottery classes, cooking workshops, financial literacy courses, and professional development coaching all over our region. Book that reformer Pilates class or sign up for the cupcake decorating workshop you’ve been craving; you’ll invest in your own growth while investing in someone else’s dream.
- Borrow Local
Don’t forget the catalysts behind the businesses! Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) fuel the next generation of entrepreneurs (many of whom are diverse business owners) with the capital to grow. Exploring a small business loan at a CDFI or attending a financial workshop extends your engagement well beyond August. If you’re in the DMV region, check out the resources available at FSC First, which provided over $7M in loans last fiscal year to entrepreneurs who are aspiring to greatness or are growing their market share.
- Share Content (It’s Free!)
You don’t need a marketing budget to make a real difference here. Like, comment, save, and share posts from Black-owned businesses when you’re scrolling. Social platforms reward engagement, and every share helps a small business skip the costly ad spend and land in front of new customers organically. It costs you nothing, but it means everything!
- Gift Local This Season (and Every Season)
Birthdays, holidays, and client thank-yous are gift-giving occasions that come around more often than we realize. Next time one pops up, consider a Black-owned bakery, boutique, or gift shop instead of the default big-box run. Your gift gets to do double duty: making someone’s day and supporting a local dream.
- Stay Connected All Year Long
Here’s the thing: real support doesn’t clock out on September 1st. Use ByBlack or Support Black Owned to find Black-owned businesses wherever you happen to be, whether that’s across town or across the country. Sign up for newsletters, follow businesses on social media, and make supporting Black-owned businesses a habit.
Diversity fuels innovation, period. Black entrepreneurs have always been, and will continue to be, a driving force behind the economic development stories in our communities. Whether you’re grabbing lunch, taking a class, or simply hitting share on your lunch break, your support matters more than you might think.
So how will you show up for Black-owned businesses? Tell me all about it.
