Since the Black Lives Matter movement erupted in May with the brutal murder of George Floyd, we’ve been alerted to our ignorance of the horrific and pernicious ways racism persists globally, and systemically.
And this movement coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected many independent, small businesses across the country. Now is a more important time than ever to be shopping small and local, and, in our privileged positions, to be making conscious choices about where we shop and who our money goes to. So, I’ve created this list of 4 businesses you need to try.
- Fi Real
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A family-run business, Fi Real have been serving authentic, healthy and delicious Jamaican food in Bristol for over six years now. They have a cafe in St Phillip’s, just west of the city centre, but also sell on deliveroo and just eat so you can get your jerk fix from the comfort of your home too!
- Vivian May Naturals
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Diane, the founder of Vivian May Naturals, had the aim of creating a healthier, more sustainable way to experience the wonderful scents and atmosphere created by candles. So, she crafted these 100% natural soybean oil candles, which are renewable and biodegradable. You can easily clean the jars after burning for a useful storage pot, and the wide range of scents means there’s something for everyone.
- Caribbean Croft
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Unsurprisingly based in Stokes Croft, this gem offers a huge range of traditional Caribbean food along with delicious cocktails and smoothies. Their recipes have been passed down for generations to their chef granny Ms Cat, so the food is really authentic.
- Parys Gardener Art
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Parys Gardener is a young woman, and a brilliant editorial illustrator. With multiple awards under her belt, she shares her beautiful modern illustrations on her instagram. You can purchase prints of these through her website, and they’re bound to look great in your room. Alternatively, if prints aren’t your thing, you can buy cushions with her artwork on, or even a key ring.
This list is by no means exhaustive, so do go on to do your own research to find black-owned businesses near you and let us know your favourites!
This article is part of a themed content week celebrating Black History Month