Although February is Black History Month, a month that celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans, I find when you organically seek to focus on the best small brands and artisans, Black artisans and people of all colors and genders will naturally be highlighted. That said it is exciting to spotlight Black Movers and Makers in America. Most of the brands we feature in this post are NYC centric however have online shops and very rousing stories and product. Click on the captions in the images for websites.
GWEN BELOTI - her pendant necklace
Gwen Beloti is a Brooklyn native jewelry designer who founded her eponymous brand in 2019 after years of falling in love and having a deep appreciation of jewelry as an accessory that can always make you feel great and stylish no matter your body shape. Beloti focuses her collection on gold jewelry with a fine jewelry collection and a more affordable gold jewelry line. We love the HER pendant. “The golden queen pendant hangs on a chunky elongated box chain. It's subtly bold and all about HER. The luster of the face and crown can be seen from across the room. A 20" inch style that looks amazing with any top.” The chain is Gold filled made to last. Not traditional plating, gold filled items have a thick layer of genuine gold bonded to them, high quality. Pendant -18kt gold plated. Not flash plating, our gold plated jewels are designed with a thick coating of over 2.5 microns of genuine gold equivalent to gold vermeil, over a brass metal base. Beloti’s motto is “Wear your jewels with confidence”.
BEM BOOKSTORE
BEM Bookstore is the nation’s first Black food bookstore, café, and culinary hub that highlights all things Black, culinary & literary. Founded by sisters Gabrielle and Danielle Davenport and named after their grandmothers, Bernice and Marjory, the sisters wanted to create a hub that gave tribute to the Black culinary traditions that shaped them. After witnessing cookbook stores popping up they decided to start the first Black only cookbook shop that not only celebrates Black food but Black culture. Besides having a rich collection of African American cookbooks the bookstore operates also as a bar, and café that hosts a variety of culinary programming including book talks, dinners, demos, and more. 373 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11233
NORIE SHOES - JUANA BALLERINA FLAT
Norie Shoes is a footwear brand founded by Natasha Norte Standard, a former veteran who fell in love with fashion and design. Studying design in Italy after leaving the military she launched the Norie Shoe Company to create high-quality, comfortable, and wearable luxury shoes for women. The footwear is designed in New York City and handmade by artisans in Italy. Standard also founded EQWAL Footing, a brand focused on providing protective footwear for women in male-dominated professions like the military and engineering. We picked the Norie’s signature ballerina flats, made from soft black Nappa leather, are comfortable and supple enough to be worn all day long. With a touch of exotic snakeskin print at the heel, these flats were inspired by “Juana Arzuduy de Padilla, a revolutionary who fought to gain independence for her people in Upper Peru. This Bolivian guerrilla military leader joined the Chuquisaca Revolution in 1805 and eventually commanded a 6,000-strong military force.” We are delighted that female warriors and leaders are honored by Norie Shoes and focus on both style and wearability.
DENIM TEARS - STRAIGHT COTTON WREATH DENIM PANT
Denim Tears is a streetwear brand founded in 2019 by designer Tremaine Emory. He created the Made in the USA brand so the apparel functions as a "wearable archive" to explore and honor the African diaspora, and the history and strength of Black people in America. You can spot Denim Tears with their cotton wreath motif which was inspired by a visit to the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana. The cotton wreath symbolizes the pain of slavery and the triumph of Black life. Here we are featuring the Straight Cotton Wreath Denim Pant, a 13 oz denim, button fly with a back leather patch, five pocket construction and made from 100% cotton. It comes in dark wash, light wash and selvedge.
BROWN GIRL JANE - CHALET
Brown Girl Jane is a fragrance house founded by entrepreneur Malaika Jones who decided to create a brand that conjures the essence of cultures around the world. Influenced by her global experiences. We decided to highlight “Chalet” with notes of dark cocoa, white truffle, champagne accord with essence of plum and vanilla. It is a popular scent due to it being rich yet airy and refreshing. Top notes: White Chocolate Truffle, Chalet Plum, Champagne Accord. Heart Notes: Dark Cacao, Winter White Jasmine, Snow Flower. Base Notes: Cashmere Vanilla, Santal Woods, Crystallized Patchouli.
PEACE + RIOT
peace + RIOT is a store established in 2013 by Brooklyn native Achuziam Maha-Sanchez. Sanchez offers a variety of gifts, home décor and an ethno-contemporary aesthetic with an intentional curated selection of international imported items plus items created from local artisans. There are a wide variety of categories, such as apparel for adults and children, accessories, home decor, games, housewares, stationary, beauty and wellness and more. It’s the sort of store you find yourself staying more longer than you anticipated.
BLOOH - zuri leather large tote bag
We included Blooh, a brand that partners with artisans in Kenya, Africa and produces jewelry and handbags that are sustainable and fair-trade. Their jewelry is ethically sourced in Nairobi, Kenya and handmade by Kenyan artisans. Blooh prioritizes worker wellbeing, fair wages and being environmentally friendly. Blooh also produces handbags. We are featuring in this post the “Zuri Leather Large Tote Bag”. The tote is produced by ethical Kenyan artisans using 100% meticulously handcrafted vegetable tanned full grain leather of the highest quality. This beautiful caramel tote is perfect to go from day to night. It fits a 15.6" Laptop with a large zipper pocket that fits an iPhone Plus or similar. Blooh strives to reduce plastics from their shipping process and strive to source their raw materials locally. Most of their packaging is recyclable and compostable. Blooh’s artisans set their own rates and earn 3X above market rates of local workshops. Their mission is to empower local communities and partner with local non-profits that have been improving education outcomes for girls for over a decade in Kenya.
CLOUDY DONUT CO.
We couldn’t do a blog about Black Movers and Shakers without mentioning Cloudy Donut Co. Cloudy Donuts Co. is in our opinion one of the best gourmet donuts in the world (fighting words I know with the origin of the cronut just a few blocks away) and they are vegan!. Cloudy Donut Co. is the first Black Owned food and beverage business in Brooklyn Heights and Nolita. Founded by Derrick Faulcon and Zewiditu Jewel, Cloudy Donut Co. offers some of the most delicious and original donut flavors. With over 50 flavors such as brown butter chocolate chip donuts, apple pie cinnamon rolls and sweet potato pound cake (traditional flavors are also offered); all donuts are small-batched and hand crafted. My personal favorite is the Bananas Foster. The donuts come in mini-sized and large (warning they are a little pricey compared to the average donut shop). They also make pound cakes and cinnamon rolls. There is a shop in Nolita opened on the weekends and a full time store in Brooklyn Heights. Cloudy Donut Co. offers catering and events which you can arrange online. Warning! You will find yourself heading back again and again to Cloudy Donut Co. with the goal of trying every flavor.
LIT BROOKLYN - MUSE CANDLE
Lit Brooklyn is a Brooklyn based candle company founded in 2015 by maker Denequa. She sought to create a candle company with materials that are sustainably sourced, toxin free and phthalate-free. Lit Brooklyn has an unwavering commitment to make & introduce cruelty-free affordable luxury. They are remarkably affordable for the high quality candle Brooklyn Lit creates. They create limited edition candle scents and also collaborate with other brands. We selected here the “Muse” candle. It’s the verb muse instead of the noun (to reflect deeply on a subject). The scent consists of notes of kai & gardenia. It’s the perfect scent to reflect and meditate on. Lit Brooklyn offers a variety of other scents and the 12 oz size burns for approximately 80 hours. There is a smaller travel size offered by Lit Brooklyn which last approximately 25 hours. Lit Brooklyn is the candle all poured by a Black woman in Brooklyn and makes for the perfect gift for others and for you.
Finding a Black Mover and Maker is as easy as searching your neighborhood or just Googling to find and support Black businesses. While 14.4% of the U.S. population identifies as Black or African American, only 3.3% of all employer businesses are owned by them. Let’s consciously help and prop up the Black Movers and Makers and not just in February.
By Natalie Rivera