Saturday 5th December will be the last Black Pound Day of 2020 and with the gift-giving season upon us, there's no better time to discover and support black-owned businesses this Christmas.
Black Pound Day was founded earlier this year to highlight Black-owned businesses and to support the long-term financial growth and infrastructure of the UK Black economy. Black Pound Day encourages everyone to explore, discover and purchase products from Black-owned businesses.
After what has been a difficult year, many small businesses will be relying on your support this December and there's no greater gift than enabling the dreams of artisans and entrepreneurs across the UK that have persevered through this year.
Here's my list of 10 black-owned businesses to support this December, from vibrant Christmas cards to sustainable fashion, this list has a great collection of gifts you can treat someone special (or yourself) to this Christmas.
1. Colourshot Cards
Colourshot uses colourful African fabrics in a unique and contemporary way. This card and gift shop showcases the vibrant patterns of African fabrics, everything is handmade in the UK by Colourshot's founder Tanya. She has a great collection of every day items like coasters, mugs, facemasks and bags plus packs of gorgeous Christmas cards to send out to friends and family this year!
2. LB Beads
LB Beads are vibrant, bold and unique jewellery handcrafted by its founder, Lolonyo in London. Inspired by African statement jewellery, all of the pieces are ethically made using fair trade beads from Ghana you can explore her bold jewellery or commission custom pieces on her Etsy shop or check her out on Janets List.
3. Afrocenchix
Afrocenchix blends natural and organic ingredients with expertise to make hair care as simple as possible. Working with UK scientists and chemists to formulate high quality products, Afrocenchix are passionate about supporting Britain and manufacture in the UK and use only British suppliers. They have some wonderful gift sets for Christmas which would make fantastic presents, plus all of the products are cruelty-free and environmentally friendly.
4. Soapsmith
Soapsmith uses London to inspire its scent library, all of which reflect and capture the vibrant, cultural jamboree of its founder, Sam Jameson's home city. All products are made with natural ingredients and crafted to nourish and care for the skin. If you're looking for something festive themed, Soapsmith have a new Christmas scent inspired by Colombia Road.
5. Lucocoa Chocolate
Lucocoa Chocolate is London’s first bean to bar chocolate maker. Its founder Amarachi has a passion for health and in 2014 decided to challenge the status quo of chocolate by properly roasting cocoa beans, a process which brings out cocoa's delicate taste notes and remove all nasties of improper processes. Lucocoa Chocolate also uses unrefined coconut sugar and lucuma, a fruit from Peru, to sweeten its award-winning, guilt-free chocolate.
6. Ange B Designs
Ange B Designs creates wearable, art silver jewellery,. Simple yet statement pieces, Ange is inspired by geometric and architectural forms which embody the jewellery's unique style and individuality. All of the jewellery is handmade in West London in Ange's garden workshop.
As a one-woman operation, most products are made to order to reduce waste and stockpiling. It also means that you can purchase something that is made specifically for you.
7. Molewa Skincare
Molewa Skincare is an artisan producer of decadent, natural and cruelty-free skin and body care. Launched in 2018 by founder and researcher Sola Sangowawa-Boua, all products are hand-crafted using the world’s best natural butters, oils and natural superfoods. Sola's aim is to create high performing products that answer her customers’ most important skin and body care needs, without compromising on luxury and natural ingredients.
8. Sancho's
Ethical fashion activist Kalkidan Legesse founded Sancho's in 2014 with the aim of providing sustainable alternatives to the fast-fashion industry. With two stores in Exeter and an online store, Kalkidan sources ethically made, fair trade clothing, accessories, homeware, and bath and body products from a variety of brands like Girlfriend Collective and People Tree so you can shop more sustainably this winter.
9. Our Lovely Goods
Our Lovely Goods is an Aberdeen-based, family run business passionate about creating products that are good for you, your home and the environment - whilst being beautifully designed too. They specialise in handcrafted natural wax candles, ethical skin care, and work closely with Nigerian artisans to create handwoven products such as their stunning raffia placemats, coasters, bowls and more.
10. Thimble & Doll
Non-white dolls are often hard to find, so Alisha Lestrade began selling her diverse dolls, handmade from felt and cotton at Camden Market in 2012. The business has since grown and now Thimble & Dolls works with 11 skin tones to create four different fabric doll types. Alisha also offers customisable felt bunting and bespoke dolls so you can get something really unique for little ones as a gift this Christmas.