National Black Business Month is celebrated in August to uplift and appreciate Black-owned businesses across the nation. New York City has become a vital hub for Black entrepreneurs. We’re highlighting four businesses that you can support!
BYE GENDER TRANS SURVIVAL FUND
Bye Gender is a community-based organization helping people of transgender experience thrive. The fund was founded by Jason Hill and Samuel Leon in 2012 to help provide funding for gender affirming surgeries. The organization raises funds by selling shirts, pins, stickers, and tattoos. Bye Gender also accepts donations of binders and menstrual cups! Now, Bye Gender helps fund rent relief for 10 different people every week.
HAPPY CORK
Founded by Sunshine Foss in 2019, Happy Cork is a wine and spirits travel shop that highlights Black and minority-owned wine and spirits. They give a platform to underserved brands whilst catering to their surrounding community. Every single bottle that is sold has been tested by the team. Whatever your cravings may be, there is an option for you at an affordable price.
The Lit. Bar
The Lit. Bar is a safe space for book lovers in the Bronx. This cozy shop doubles as a wine bar with a graffiti and chandelier theme. Created by Noëlle Santos in 2019, it fills a literary gap in the boogie down Bronx as the only independent bookstore in the borough. Come through and chill, read a few chapters, and find community.
Buy Better Foods
https://www.buybetterfoods.com/
Looking to turn your lifestyle around with better food options? Look no further than Buy Better Foods in Bed-Stuy. This health and wellness market was a dream that owner Miriam Simpierre brought to life for Brooklyn. It’s LGBTQ-owned, Black-owned, and woman-owned, meaning Buy Better Foods is a place where we are all welcomed. Shop online or in-person to show your support!
There are hundreds of Black-owned businesses in NYC that can fulfill all your shopping needs. Let’s continue to acknowledge and appreciate these businesses not just this month, but also throughout the year.