Elevate Your Space AND Support Black Owned Businesses.
Today, let’s direct the conversation into supporting some truly amazing black-owned businesses, makers, entrepreneurs, and people who I completely admire. I don’t know the struggles of just living in the face of racism, but I do know the hardships of owning your own business, and you guys, can you imagine doing both at once!? Hard, hard, hard. These are people we need to support. Get your cards out. We are going shopping.
Truly, bold colors and patterns are the way to my heart, which we see a lot in African textile design, which is why black textile designers are my favorite! I LOVE pretty much everything on Bolé Road Textiles’ site. (There’s only one of the pink blanket left as pictured below!!) These are high quality designer pieces for your home. If you ever see something that makes your heart skip a beat and you can afford it - I say go for it. You’ll likely love it forever. These textiles are not something you’ll see in everybody’s homes from Target. Make it your policy to bring some color, depth, and beautiful culture in your house! Bye, white bread.
I love this basket set for a kid’s room!
If you’re local and you’ve been to the African Art Festival in Tucson, you’ll recognize the style of these beautiful baskets, but I have never seen any quite as lovely as these from Tackussanu Senegal. There are many on their site that are more colorful or more simple, and lots of different sizes. Baskets are one of my organization-in-a-hurry secrets. Company’s coming! THROW ALL THAT CRAP IN THE BASKET. Let everyone think you’re an ethereal clean house goddess. Sure, my life is always under control and in order! Isn’t yours?
3. 54kibo
Okay you’re gonna love this - 54kibo is a collection of everything from home goods, to jewelry, to kids’ toys all in one place, all by black and African designers and makers! I love this light that’s inspired by the African bib necklaces, and I’m putting these earrings on my wish list. (I’m not linking anything directly because I want you to go look at their site and find it all! Everything is so beautiful. The ceramics! The lighting! GO.)
Jeremy has long been one of my favorite artists, back since the days when we were all on Flickr instead of Instagram, sharing our photos and work in a community of peers. I still have a print of his from like 15 years ago or something! His style is so good, I don’t want to cheapen it by trying to describe it, but have a look at his paintings! You’ll see why I love it. If you’ve ever considered commissioning an artist for a portrait that would look turn out really cool, consider messaging him and follow him on Instagram for lots more! He IS accepting commissions, let’s fill up that inbox.
These are just a small drop in the bucket of the makers and shops out there that we should be supporting (not just now, but every day). If we understand white privilege then we understand that our black friends fight to support themselves many times harder than we do, and I don’t know about you, but I want to see my friends and their business, their culture, their art and creations, I want to see it all thrive. I’m tired of the white bread. I’m tired of recycled ideas. Give black souls a voice and an equal opportunity in the marketplace if you REALLY want to see the design world get interesting. It’s time for us to take a back seat and watch, learn, and marvel at the creativity of those who have been oppressed far too long.
I encourage you all to share - if you are a black maker / artist / business owner please share your business! If you know of any others you love, please share. <3
