image via Ronni Nicole
As protests and the fight towards racial justice continue, and the support of the Black Lives Matter movement grows {as it should} many are looking for actionable steps and ways you can take part. First and foremost you can Use Your Voice, whether it’s at a protest or on your social platforms and with the people you know, it’s donating to organizations who are working for change, reaching out to local and state representatives, VOTE VOTE VOTE, and using your purchasing power to support all the inspiring, talented and amazing BIPOC individuals and brands that are turning their dreams and passion into reality.
I have fallen into a deep rabbit hole of discovery, of further learning, educating myself and understanding what it’s truly going to take to make change happen…because history has repeated itself over and over and over again, yet systems particularly the justice, like incarcerations and racial bias, education, career advancements, to name a few, haven’t really made progressive enough improvements to change the lives of BIPOC. So I’ve been using my voice on social media, donate to causes that are making change happen on local and national levels, signed petitions and connected representatives, voted and will always use my right to vote, and that rabbit hole of discover also led to discovering and re-falling in love with BIPOC who are amazing and talented in every sense.
image via Phenomenal
Sure my social media platform is small, but the least I can do with it is use it to Amplify Melanted and POC’s voices — to share their unique and beautiful and empowering and innovate work with my followers, in hopes to simply spread their names to as many people as they deserves. As a small business owner, we have a duty, as does any human or business, to lift and empower each other!
While other sites and individuals have shared lists of Black Owned and BIPOC individuals sometime ago, I wanted to take my time. I wanted to intentionally and thoughtfully go through and rediscover all the individuals I’ve admired for years, I found new people and brands through their platforms, and then from those new platforms, read many lists that were circulating the internet too and the more I discovered, the more I want until I had curated a list of over 330 BIPOC!! Yes, I’m sharing the voices and work of 330+ BIPOC, and the list will continue to grow 😉
image via Fe Noel
From artists and ceramists to interior designers to wedding designers, florists and environmentalists, chefs sharing recipes to salivate over, inspiring wellness and mindful gurus, unapologetic speakers and BLM advocates, soul and heart-capturing poets, beauty and fashion brands breaking ground on non-toxic and sustainable practices, and music I can listen to over and over…
Although not every single person or brand on these lists are Black, majority are. But I made sure to include people/brands from all BIPOC communities, individuals whose race or ethnicity unfortunately categorizes them into a minority group; like Asians, Native Americans, Latinx, and Indigenous.
image via Justina Blakeney
And you will notice that a lot of these brands honor sustainable and ethical practices, are nontoxic or use organic materials — because that is how I live my life, it’s important that I use my voice to share work I fully support, believe in and would use myself. This was one of the main reasons I connected with these BIPOC and why I wanted to share them with you. I took the time to get to know them, to follow their journeys and work for a bit of time, to truly develop a “virtual” relationship with their spirit {I didn’t just want to copy and paste websites without any emotional connection to them}. Now there are sooo many individuals and businesses run by BIPOC that aren’t necessarily rooted in sustainable practices, but that’s okay, keep sharing and spreading the word about all the ones you love!! Please pass along your favorites, I want to get to know as many, and all the amazing BIPOC people and brands as possible!!
And these lists won’t end here, as I come across more BIPOC I will continuously be updating these lists with as many inspiring talents as possible, so stay tuned!!
These BIPOC will absolutely inspire you!!
Writers || Poets || Speakers || Publications+Books || NonProfits
Interiors || Home Decor + Design
Artists || Photographers || Creators
Wedding/Event Professionals || Floral Designers
Environmentalists || Sustainability || Planters/Gardeners
Lifestyle || Wellness || Travel
Entertainment || Music || Movies + TV
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