For the modern consumer, shopping conscientiously has become more important than ever. But while the “inclusive consumer” is on the rise, it’s not always easy for customers to find minority merchants to patronize.
These business directories seek to increase the visibility of Black-owned small businesses and help conscious consumers connect with minority-owned brands. If you’re a Black business owner, it’s worthwhile to list your company on these sites to help new customers find your venture.
[Read more: 22 Resources for Black-Owned Businesses]
Black Directory
Black Directory offers consumers Black-owned-and-operated products and services and works hard for its members to level the playing field in business. It advocates for members to obtain federal and government contracts, access capital from financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase, and participate in networking and marketing opportunities to continually promote and grow Black businesses.
As the “largest Black business directory in the world,” Black Directory features over 100,000 listings. These businesses are spread across the United States and internationally, encompassing areas like the Caribbean Islands, Africa, Europe, and Canada. Interested businesses can choose their tiers of membership. Diamond members receive premium benefits like the first look at contracts and mentorship opportunities with leaders of seven-figure Black-owned companies.
BlackOwnedAssociation.com (BOA)
BlackOwnedAssociation.com (BOA) is a network connecting Black-owned businesses with consumers. While most of the businesses on the platform are located in North America, consumers can shop with Black-owned businesses in hundreds of categories from all over the world. There is no cost for a business to add a listing on the platform and it also offers advertising opportunities.
Black-Owned Brooklyn
A husband-and-wife team founded Black-Owned Brooklyn in 2018 to help elevate businesses in their community. While the directory only lists Brooklyn-based businesses, Black-Owned Brooklyn also features stories from founders and business owners that can be a great resource for other merchants.
Black Woman Owned
Recent research shows that Black women start businesses at a higher rate than white women and men, with 17% of Black women pursuing an entrepreneurial journey as opposed to white men at 15% and white women at 10%. However, a lack of inequity disproportionately affects Black women, who are more likely to see business failure in the first year than their counterparts. In fact, only 3% of Black women continue to run mature businesses, in contrast to 7% of white women.
Black Woman Owned seeks to scale visibility and success for Black women–owned businesses and create an economy in which they thrive. The website operates an aggregate listing of Black women–owned businesses for both products and professional services, sends a newsletter with giveaways and new content, and sells a "Moment Box" curated with luxury products from seven Black women–owned retailers.
To join, navigate to the Contact Page to fill out the form and provide the requested information.
[Read more: 18 Business Success Tips from Black Entrepreneurs]
ByBlack
The U.S. Black Chambers, with support from American Express, developed an extensive directory and certification program for Black business owners to join called ByBlack. Black-owned businesses can join the directory for free by supplying the name of the business and the business owner; the business’s website, phone number, and address; and the business category, description, and NAIC/Industry code. Those interested in the certification must be majority-owned, operated, managed, and controlled by a Black/African American person or persons, among a few other requirements.
Black businesses looking to list themselves on ByBlack’s directory, receive the ByBlack certification, or both can do so at no cost. Navigate to the ByBlack website to take the next step in verifying your business and joining the directory.
Chez Nous Guide
Don’t miss the beautifully designed Chez Nous Guide: “an inclusive and intersectional home for businesses, artists, and organizations owned and run by historically marginalized people around the world and our allies.” You can find businesses owned by women, LGBTQIA+ merchants, and BIPOC entrepreneurs in major cities around the world. Search using several different filters, including category and place, or use the “go explore” button. This site includes more than 50 Black-owned businesses.
EatOkra
EatOkra is a directory of Black-owned restaurants, featuring over 16,000 restaurants around the United States. Users can search by cuisine and location, and even order delivery — the app will connect you to GrubHub or DoorDash so you can seamlessly order from those listings. If you prefer to visit in person, EatOkra will give you directions from your location or connect you to a ride-share service like Lyft. Listing on EatOkra is a great way for Black restaurateurs to reach new customers, earn more clicks on delivery platforms, and boost their visibility.
I Am Black Business
I Am Black Business offers an affordable, one-time membership cost for access to join the Black Business Search Engine, niche product sites, and more. It offers a mobile app to search for Black-owned businesses wherever consumers travel.
In addition, users can “claim” their business, if it’s already listed, to update information like social media handles, business descriptions, and more.
National Black Guide
The Black Directory from National Black Guide is one of a suite of services the organization offers to Black business owners and entrepreneurs. The National Black Guide regularly promotes featured businesses on its homepage, as well as links to events, news, and city-specific pages for major metropolitan areas. The National Black Guide also offers an app that helps users find Black businesses, local events, information, and resources in their area.
Official Black Wall Street
Official Black Wall Street is one of the largest business directories for Black-owned businesses, with over 5,000 listings in countries around the world. Through the app, business owners can create a listing with reviews, photos, directions, and more. The app also alerts users when they’re near a Black-owned business to help increase foot traffic.
The Nile List
Founded by Khadijah Robinson, The Nile List brings Black creators of retail products to interested customers. The Nile List ensures that whatever a consumer wants to buy online, there’s someone Black who makes it. Not only does The Nile List uplift Black brands, but it also takes consumers’ other values in mind too, giving designations like “vegan,” “woman-owned,” “natural,” and “handmade” to satisfy each buyer’s needs.
Black business owners who want to see their business and products on The Nile List can register through a specific form on the site — but note that as of January 2023, The Nile List is temporarily not accepting new business.
Since 1997, The Black Business List has been supporting minority business owners in their entrepreneurial journeys by connecting them with consumers nationwide.
Shop Black Owned
Shop Black Owned is a business directory specific to eight cities at the moment, with more to come: Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. Shop Black Owned is a free, crowdsourced, and map-based tool that makes it easy to find a Black-owned business in your immediate area. There are more than 1,000 businesses listed, and more are added every day. To get your business listed or city added, send an email to shopblackowned@coastapp.com.
Support Black Owned
The Support Black Owned directory has been around since 2012, generating many listings over the years. It offers both a website database and an app, as well as advertising options for Black-owned businesses and user reviews and ratings. Search by city, state, or category 一 Support Black Owned lists businesses across the entire nation.
[Read more: The Past, Present, and Future of Black Entrepreneurship in America]
WeBuyBlack
WeBuyBlack has been around since 2015. “Today, it’s the largest e-marketplace for Black-owned businesses,” reports Fast Company. What’s great about this directory is it shows customers how to make the switch from big brands to Black-owned brands for everyday consumer goods, such as cleaning supplies and toothpaste. It also has lots of deals on free and fast shipping.
Virginia Black Business Directory
Based in Virginia, the Virginia Black Business Directory works to close the wealth gap and bring equity to Black-owned businesses in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland (DMV) region. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Virginia Black Business Directory uses community collaboration, provides educational opportunities, and organizes networking events and programs to amplify Black voices.
Founded in 2020, the directory has over 1,100 businesses on its extensive list and hundreds of thousands of social media impressions. Membership starts at $100 for the year and grants access to mentoring and networking opportunities. In addition to having a directory listing, members also enjoy benefits like exclusive coupons and deals, business development resources, and more.
Nationally Black Owned
Nationally Black Owned is a one-stop-shop for discovering Black-owned businesses across various industries in North America. It offers user-friendly search features based on location, zip code, specialty, or industry, enabling users to find Black businesses near them and evaluate them through reviews and quotes. Businesses can be listed for a monthly $100 fee, which also allows them to link their social media profiles and website to their profiles — leading to higher search engine rankings and increased exposure. Additionally, the platform offers funding resources to assist entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses.
ShopBlck.net
Dedicated to marketing and growing Black-owned businesses across the United States, ShopBlck.net focuses on reaching customers by utilizing innovative marketing tactics to increase public accessibility and awareness. The platform serves as an all-encompassing resource for businesses, strengthening connections with local clientele and increasing lead generation by enhancing online visibility and creating additional backlinks for company websites. ShopBlck.net strives to support Black entrepreneurs, advance financial inclusivity, and advocate for equal opportunities.
The Black Business List
Since 1997, The Black Business List has been supporting minority business owners in their entrepreneurial journeys by connecting them with consumers nationwide. Businesses can complete a 14-day free trial before enrolling for membership — joining over 2,000 members on the platform — starting at $15 a month. All plans offer members the chance to attend exclusive events, connect with like-minded business owners, and leverage The Black Business List’s social media and online TV network for advertising opportunities, providing valuable growth opportunities for business professionals.
BlackBusiness.com
As a subsidiary of Dante Lee International, BlackBusiness.com is a digital platform dedicated to spotlighting and elevating underrepresented voices in the media. It achieves this mission by promoting various resources like workshops, seminars, and other business-focused events, as well as showcasing funding and grant opportunities to business owners. The website also celebrates Black entrepreneurs, business leaders, and executives spanning a range of industries, sharing content from inspiring success stories and achievements to industry news and company updates.
BLAPP
BLAPP is a mobile shopping application that allows Black-owned businesses to promote themselves to consumers searching for local businesses on their cell phones. Available for iOS and Android, businesses can list their website on BLAPP to target consumers in their area who are looking for Black-owned businesses on the go, increasing exposure for businesses with relevant audiences. In addition, Black creators can showcase their wares, such as clothing, art, and beauty products, to consumers for purchase online directly through the app.
Black Owned Everything
Black Owned Everything is an online marketplace founded by Zerina Akers as a place for Black-owned brands to display their items, increasing accessibility for marginalized entrepreneurs. As an Emmy Award–winning costume designer, Akers curates the website’s collection herself, promoting high-quality products, including clothing, accessories, art, and home goods from Black-owned brands. To be listed on the website, businesses are required to utilize Shopify; however, Black Owned Everything provides plenty of resources to help businesses transition smoothly.
Black Pages International
Founded by Arnette D. French in 1988, Black Pages International is a business directory and resource focused on Black-owned businesses in the Chicago area. The directory lists businesses spanning all industries, and businesses can post a basic listing or take advantage of additional benefits with an annual $199 premium listing. Black Pages International boasts both online and print directories, of which 10,000 free books are distributed biannually in April and October to community organizations, households, and businesses across the Chicago metropolitan area — however, a separate fee is required for print directory listings.
Marketplaces for Black-owned products
In addition to business directories like the sites listed here, there are dozens of marketplaces that sell products from Black creators. These marketplaces differ from directories in that customers can browse and order directly from the site. Here are a few to explore:
- Bifties: This gifting site offers candles, jewelry, books, journals, and more, all from Black-owned brands. It also offers a build-your-own gift box service. Notably, 5% of Bifties’ online sales are donated to 501(c)(3)s that support the Black community.
- Blaamazon: This marketplace connects Black- and minority-owned brands with Black consumers. It was founded in 2020 and hopes to eventually provide scholarships, business funding, and much more, in addition to e-commerce.
- Black-Owned Market (BOM): BOM started as a pop-up in New York City and grew to generate over six figures for Black business owners listed on the platform during its first year. The site largely features beauty and self-care brands, as well as home goods and household cleaning products.
- BLK + GRN: This marketplace aims to connect Black women with non-toxic personal care products created by over 136 Black entrepreneurs. It features all-natural products created by Black artisans — products that are all quality-tested, plant-based, and cruelty-free.
- HellaBlack: HellaBlack’s mission is to provide a premium e-commerce marketplace featuring the most sought-after Black-owned brands and products. Black business owners also gain access to the marketplace’s resource center and marketing system.
This article was originally written by Emily Heaslip and Katarina Betterton.
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