Make School Shopping Black
For Black Business Week stock up for school and support the culture—here are Black-owned brands that make back-to-school shopping an investment in our own
A smiling group of young adults have fun shopping for retro and vintage clothing styles at a second hand thrift store. Mixed ethnic group. Horizontal image with copy space.
As I type, there are parents on the internet arguing about whether or not school supply lists have gotten out of hand. Many people believe teachers are asking for too much. As the child of a former teacher and the wife to a current one, I can assure you—they are not. If your teacher asks for six glue sticks, please believe your child and their classmates will use every last one of them. Not to mention that many underpaid teachers all across the country often use their own money to equip their classrooms with the things their students need.
Still, I can understand the annual frustrations and concerns that come with buying from that list. The prices can get a little steep. Since you’re going to have to spend the money anyway, why not keep as much of it as possible in the Black community? Check out the Black businesses that will help you check some items off that list.
Colored Pencils by Entrepreneurs Color Too
For the children in elementary and middle school, colored pencils are a staple. Founder Latoya Nicole launched Entrepreneurs Color Too as a way to promote wellness, self-care, and representation for Black girls and women. In addition to coloring books, she has colored pencils that feature different skin tones as well as the traditional set.
Notebooks
Typically, Be Rooted’s products are for older women who are journaling or decorating their office spaces. But this year, they’re offering a cute, kid-friendly back-to-school collection that features colorful and fun designs that will make your child proud to pull out their supplies.
Book Bags
As a child, the highlight of school shopping was selecting the bag that would carry all of the items your parents just spent a fortune on. Why not allow your child to make a statement about their cultural pride with a bag from Because of Them We Can? These bags feature names of prominent figures in Black history, serving as inspiration for all of the places they could go and things they could achieve.
Folders/Binders
When the children get to middle school age, they’re going to need a folder for each subject. Go ahead and get an Afrocentric set from African American Expressions. They have sets with patterns or images of Black women living their fabulous lives.
Pencils
If there’s one thing I remember about school, it’s that pencils come and pencils go. So it’s best to stock up. Persnickety Pencil Company has packs of pencils on deck. They come in all types of vibrant colors. They can be personalized to discourage your child’s classmates from snatching them. What sets this company apart, though, is that they also include empowering or humorous sayings on the pencils as well. There’s “Black Girl Magic” for your daughters and “Make Good Choices” for the kids—and even some of us adults—who need the reminder.
