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This year we have seen an unprecedented focus on the black community in various countries around the world following the tragic death of George Floyd. There has been significant support from business, politics and the media, but much of this effort will need to continue beyond 2020 to advance gender equality.
One of the most powerful ways to have a positive impact on these communities is to support businesses founded by black founders who can then have a positive impact on their communities. Next to Raphael Sofoluke, Founder and CEO of UK Black Business Show, I have selected 30 black-owned companies – across a range of industries and sizes – that are geared for growth and good performance in 2021 that you can support.
Afrocenchix founder
Courtesy Afrocenchix
Afrocenchix
website: www.afrocenchix.com
Award-winning Afro Hair Care brand with natural and ethical ingredients.
Founder of Alaran
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ALARAN
website: www.alaran.co.uk
Luxury home fragrance brand that sells hand-poured scented candles made using traditional artisanal techniques.
Bebegarcon team
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Bébegarçon
website: www.bebegarconclothing.com
Unique streetwear fashion brand founded by four friends after an unexpected event during university.
Founder of Belovd
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Belovd agency
website: www.belovd.agency
The Belovd Agency is a DEI and agency partnership that provides education, training and strategy for the advancement of all human interfaces in the workplace.
Benjart models
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Benjart
website: www.benjart.com
Benjart is a UK premium street fashion company with strong local roots and global appeal
Founder of Black Ballad
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Black ballad
website: www.blackballad.co.uk
Black Ballad is a media and data company serving black women in the UK and beyond
Founder of Black Girl Gamers
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Black girl gamer
website: linktr.ee/theblackgirlgamers
An award-winning community-based platform committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equity in the gaming industry.
Byooti co-founder
Courtesy Byooti
Byooti
website: www.byooti.co
Subscription box with hair, skin and wellness delicacies.
Founder of Casey Elisha Books
Courtesy Casey Elisha Books
Casey Elisha books
website: www.caseyelishabooks.com
The London-based children’s author, best known for her debut title Love Thy Fro, focuses on improving diversity in children’s literature.
Founder of Clamp Agency
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Terminal agency
website: www.clampagency.com
Clamp Digital Agency is an innovative powerhouse that creates contemporary phygital and digital experiences.
Founder of Crown Rose
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Crown rose
website: https://shop.crownroseuk.com/
African print swimwear brand that combines the traditional aspects of African cultural prints with contemporary swimwear designs.
Co-founder of Enum Cosmetics
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Enum cosmetics
website: www.enumcosmetics.com
The London-based cosmetics brand was founded by beauty enthusiast Gina Nipah.
Your founder of the definition
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Your definition
website: www.herdefinition.co.uk
Bridal hair salon for textured hair and aspiring celebrity hairdresser.
In Other News founder
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In other news
website: www.inothernews.uk
Online collection of stories highlighting the positive contributions Black Britons make to society and culture through events, PR and creative content
JJamiePhotography founder
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J.Jamie Photography
website: www.jjamiephotography.com
International wedding studio of the London wedding photographer Jamie Adeogunwoye, specializing in weddings, events, portrait and lifestyle photography.
Founder of the Kai collective
Courtesy Kai Collective
Kai collective
website: www.kaicollective.com
The London-based womenswear brand for accessible apparel with a luxurious aesthetic, deliberately crafted to make women feel like their more confident selves.
Lendoe founder
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Lendoe
website: www.lendoe.com
The UK’s first online lender focused entirely on entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities.
Founder of Life Talks
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Life talks
website: twitter.com/LifeTalksUk
A platform to inspire young entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. The platform had speakers such as Karen Civil, Lenny ‘Kodak Lens’ Santiago, Swizz Beatz, Yvette Noel-Schure and Shayla Cowan.
Founder of Marv Brown Films
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Marv Brown Films
website: instagram.com/marvbrownfilms
A creative video production company based in London.
Founder of ODF Clothing
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ODF clothing
website: www.odfclothing.com
A fashion brand that bridges the void in the industry by celebrating inclusivity.
Founder of Olufemi Photography
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Olufemi Photography
website: www.olufemiphotography.com
Photography shop that specializes in capturing a child’s first year of travel.
Founder of the real estate cohort
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Real estate cohort
website: www.propertycohort.co.uk
Property Cohort is an information hub created by real estate professionals focused on providing unbiased practical advice and services to investors and first-time buyers.
Founder of Rum Remedy
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Rum remedies
website: www.rumremedy.co.uk
An alcoholic beverage provider that makes a wide variety of refreshing Caribbean rum punch products.
Founder of Social Fixt
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Social fixes
website: www.socialfixt.org
Recruiting and job board platform aiming to connect black talent with career opportunities in the creative industry with a combined reach of 20,000, with resources ranging from resume workshops to mentoring
Founder of the Stock Pickers Academy
Courtesy of the Stock Pickers Academy
Stock Pickers Academy
website: www.stockpickersacademy.com
Educational platform and community of experienced and inexperienced stock market traders.
The founder of Curve Catwalk
The curve catwalk
The curve catwalk
website: www.thecurvecatwalk.com
Britain’s first dance class specifically for plus size women
Founder of Touchline Fracas
Courtesy of Daniel Sofoluke
Line of contact Fracas
website: www.touchlinefracas.co.uk
Sports media platform with analysis of intellect, openness and comedy.
Tribal Unicorn founder
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Tribal unicorn
website: www.tribal-unicorn.com
Luxurious handmade and hand-cast, organic, fragrant, glittery wax melts and candles.
Ugly Tribe founder
Courtesy Ugly Tribe
Ugly tribe
website: www.uglytribe.org
Understanding Girls Like You (UGLY Tribe) is an organization that aims to support young women aged 16 to 30 from underrepresented and marginalized groups through a series of workshops on self-development, mentoring and coaching for companies.
Uncle John’s Bakery founder
Courtesy Uncle John’s Bakery
Uncle John’s Bakery
website: www.theunclejohnsbakery.com
Uncle John’s Bakery is an Afro-Caribbean, Ghanaian specialty bakery that was founded over 25 years ago and makes bread and cakes exactly as it was made 100 years ago in Ghana
Wealth8 founder
Courtesy of Wealth8
Wealth8
website: www.wealth-8.com
Wealth8 is a digital wealth and investment service offering easy and affordable access to wealth creation opportunities aimed at black and multiethnic communities in the UK.This article is part of a series about underrepresented people who make a difference. To submit ideas for features or to keep up to date with new versions, find me on Twitter – @ TommyPF91.