As a black and brown women owned business, A.R Marketing House has a vested interest in environmental justice, peace, and uplifting sustainable businesses owned by people of color. We’ve reached a point in our world where we need all hands on deck for radical change that ensures a cleaner, just future for everyone. That means sharing resources, supply chain information, and educational tools that help us advance a mission that pulls our collective genius, honor, and shared planet forward.
This blog article is just a start to highlight some of the many key products owned by black, brown, and indigenous people that anyone can start purchasing from now. Our goal is to make this an introduction because there are so many businesses to catalog (add your business to the directory). Because the list is so long and ever-growing, we’re developing a comprehensive database to help buyers and consumers source sustainable supplies from businesses of color. If you would like to add your business to this directory, please fill out this form.
You will also find Environmental Justice resources to use and share with allies as we navigate our path forward together. Let’s Dive in!
Apps and Directories
Black-Owned Farms in the U.S. – https://www.agritecture.com/blog/2020/6/9/shoppe-blacks-list-of-black-owned-farms-amp-food-gardens
Black-owned eco-friendly companies – https://www.greenmatters.com/p/black-owned-green-beauty-and-skincare-brands
Hispanic Ya! Various products and service locator for Latino businesses – http://hispanicya.com/
Black Wall Street – https://officialblackwallstreet.com/directory/
Buy Native Guide – http://www.beyondbuckskin.com/p/buy-native.html
Pow wows – List of Native Products – https://www.powwows.com/our-favorite-places-to-shop-for-native-products/
Marketplaces
Marketplaces hold the goods to transact easily from various vendors. These marketplaces feature black, brown, and indigenous places to shop for various products.
Atijo – Vintage, secondhand, and artisan products. https://www.instagram.com/atijostore/
BLK + GRN Marketplace – high-quality all-natural products vetted by Black health experts – https://blkgrn.com/pages/blk-grn
Faubourg – Handmade, organic, recycled, locally-made, fair-trade clothing and accessories. https://shopfaubourg.com/
Galerie.LA –Sustainable, recycled, artisan, and locally produced clothing, beauty, self-care, and home products. https://galerie.la
Label By Three – Homeware collection. http://www.labelbythree.com
Native West Trading – https://www.nativewest-trading.com/
Black and POC-Owned Sustainable Supplies
Some of our most basic purchases are often tossed into our cart on your average big box store run. In the age of COVID, where ordering online is encouraged, you can now toss one of these products into your cart from a company of color, with effortless ease. From basics like recycled toilet paper and detergent to higher-level needs like green construction and car manufacturing, below are a handful of common items and services offered.
Get the Basics
Freedom Paper Company – 100% Made from Recycled Paper toilet paper. www.freedompapercompany.com
PUR – HOME and Cleaning Products – https://pur-home.com/
True Products – Laundry Detergent and Hand Sanitizer www.thetrueproducts.com
Dirt Don’t Hurt – Bamboo Toothbrushes and sustainable bath supplies. https://dirtdonthurtme.com/
Oui the People – Bath & Body Care. https://www.ouithepeople.com
Shades of Africa – https://shadesofafrika.com/
Los Angeles Oils & Butter – losangelesoilsandbutters.com
The Honey Pot Company – Feminine products. https://thehoneypot.co/
Nena’s Plant-Based beauty – nenasorganics.com
Kantanka – Auto manufacturing (currently in Ghana). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantanka_cars
Naturally Urban Environmental, Inc. – Green Construction & Development
Book Stores
The Lit Bar – http://www.thelitbar.com/
Lil’ Libros – https://lillibros.com/
Harriett’s Bookshop – https://www.harriettsbookshop.com/
Food & Beverage
Zero – Zero waste grocery delivery (currently in SF, coming soon to Los Angeles and New York). https://www.zerogrocery.com/
Iya Foods – https://www.iyafoods.com/
Chickasaw Nation Owned Chocolatier – Bedré Fine Chocolate
Wines
McBride Sisters Wine – https://www.mcbridesisters.com/
Maison Noir Wine – https://maisonnoirwines.com/
Brown Estate – https://www.brownestate.com/
Zafa Wines – https://zafawines.com
Beer
Brewjeria – https://www.brewjeriacompany.com
5 Rabbit Cerveceria – became the first Latino-owned craft brewery in the United States in 2012! http://www.5rabbitbrewery.com/
60+ Black-owned Breweries across the U.S.
Coffee, Tea, Water
BLK & BOLD Coffee – https://blkandbold.com/
Dope Coffee – https://www.realdope.coffee/
Marley Coffee – https://www.marleycoffee.com/
Kye Tea House – https://kyeteahouse.com/
Pathwater – https://drinkpathwater.com
Home Goods
Lit Soul Candles – Coconut wax meditation candles in upcycled cans from food donations. Each candle has a High Vibration Crystal at the bottom. https://www.litsoulcandles.com
Linoto – Linen bed, bath, and home products. https://www.linoto.com
Eighth Generation – Native-owned & Inspired Native Blankets that provide a strong, ethical alternative to “Native-inspired” art and products through an artist-centric approach. 100% Native designed products. – https://eighthgeneration.com/
Shoes and Apparel
Brother Vellies – Shoes. https://brothervellies.com/
TPMOCS – Designer Baby Moccasins. https://www.tpmocs.com/
b.YELLOWTAIL – Native Fashion, Accessories, Activism. https://byellowtail.com/
Kind Socks – https://www.kindsockswear.com/
Ginew – Denim apparel. https://ginewusa.com/
Omi Woods – Jewelry. https://omiwoods.com/
Environmental Justice Resources
Communities of color are more susceptible to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, yet contribute less to pollution and do not benefit from pollution financially or any other compensatory way. The voice of black and brown people in the United States and around the world needs to build businesses that contribute to sustainable development to advance our collective good. We need full collaboration, respect, and justice on sustainability for people of color and indigenous communities, to deconstruct the harm of colonialism, which has continued to exploit black and brown communities since before the times of chattel slavery and the trail of tears. Here are some incredible resources for protesters, allies, and everyone who supports a more peaceful, just, and sustainable society.
#1 Justice in June
This guide is for allies. Justice in June is a comprehensive self-guided learning tool to help individuals learn how to be better allies. It is available at 10, 25, or 40 minute a day segments of videos, reading, and online learning.
https://justiceinjune.org/
Bryanna Wallace & Autumn Gupta
@Autumn_Bry
#2 Herbal First Aid Aftercare for All Who Have Experienced
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y-X_88H9XM1dkzZsyFIQUBcPkhhDQzxG/view?fbclid=IwAR00u4_h6UMjDJrqzFk1Su4zrQa1Sjo8Kd8HsNg316lLKcQxSPCMz2PwcY8
Police Violence: bumps, bruises & burns, chemical weapons
exposure, taser, handcuff injuries, & trauma.
Plant Medicines for Resilience!
Black Lives Matter.
Dixie Pauline, Grassroots Apothecary, MASHH;
Greta Montagne, Gentle Strength Botanicals, MASHH;
Dana Aronson, Wild Kin Botanical s ;
Ingrid Bauer, MD, Five Flavors Herbs ;
Jocelyn Laurel Pena, Paramedic, Blackcap Medical
#3 – A Brief History of Environmental Justice
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/30xLg2HHg8Q” width=”540″ autoplay=”yes” mute=”yes” title=”A Brief History of Environmental Justice”]
#4 Van Jones – The Economic Injustice of Plastic
“How can this movement be so passionate about saying we don’t have throwaway stuff, no throwaway dead materials, and yet accept throwaway lives and throwaway communities like Cancer Alley?” – Van Jones
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/W1UGzaG1Uos” width=”540″ autoplay=”yes” mute=”yes” title=”The economic injustice of plastic – Van Jones”]
#5 EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/
Environmental and Climate Justice Resource Organizations
“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. You need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures. From the crawling ant to the leaping antelope, we’re all connected in the great circle of life.” – The Lion King
As we move forward together, business, non-profit, and communities, here’s a list of organizations that are working toward environmental and climate justice.
- Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (Dillard University)—New Orleans, LA
- Energy Justice Network—National
- Energy Action Coalition—National
- Environmental Justice Resource Center–Atlanta, GA
- Environmental Protection Agency—National
- Indigenous Environmental Network–Flagstaff, AZ
- Movement Generation for Change– Oakland, CA
- Southwest Network for Economic and Environmental Justice (SNEEJ)—Albuquerque, NM
- Southwest Workers Union–San Antonio, TX
- Alpha Goes Green Initiative
- Alternatives for Communities and Environment
- Boston Youth Environmental Network
- Hip Hop Caucus–Green the Block
Call to action!
Don’t see your company? List it! Don’t see a company you love? List it! We need all hands on deck for the revolution, whatever your expertise, your business, and your skill. We must align and build a voice for those working toward a just and sustainable future.
