Support Black-Owned Businesses Across the Country

Amidst political unrest and economic uncertainty throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, black-owned businesses are disproportionately suffering. Many of us live in fear of either falling ill, falling victim, or both. It is a privilege to exist without either fear.

We can choose what we do with that privilege. Right now we can come together, in spite of the inescapable polarization of our community, to uplift those who are most affected. There are so many ways to support black-owned businesses, be it through the internet, on our phones, or out in our own community.

Bon Appetit employees revealed this week, a deeply-rooted discriminatory culture throughout the hierarchy of the company. They also released an extremely helpful list (categorized by location) of apps, spreadsheets, and other resources that list black-owned businesses in your area.

This is an invaluable resource for their nationwide audience to potentially uplift thousands of businesses owned by BIPOC.

In mentioning Bon Appetit, we should also take a minute to support the hardworking staffers who have been unjustly injured by the systemic racism at BA. They deserve recognition and equity in light of what they have gone through:

Follow Sohla El-Waylly (@sohlae) on Instagram, and you can donate to The Okra Project which supports Black Trans Chefs.

Follow LA-Based photographers Jeni Afuso (@jeniafuso) and Dylan Ho (@dylanjho), or together at (@dylanandjeni). They wrote a chilling post on their experience at Bon Appetit, a necessary read if you have ever supported BA or other cultural/food publications.

Follow Alex Lau on Twitter (@iamnotalexlau) to read about his experience at BA, eventually leading to his departure.

The list goes on, but it is important that we start listening to effectively change. Let their voices be heard. We stand in solidarity with the families and friends of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and the endless list of human beings murdered by police brutality. We must work to dismantle the system of deeply-rooted racism to prevent history from repeating itself.

Images by Clay Banks. Support him and his coverage of the protests.