The year 2020 has bestowed many hardships upon the Black community. The death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor sparked Black Lives Matter protests across our nation, possibly the largest protest movement in U.S. history. It displayed an enormous sense of unity and strong support from those of different ages, races, and backgrounds. However, with COVID-19 still posing a threat, Black-owned businesses have been affected and are struggling. To continue to show support for the Black community, take the time to make a change and add one of the following businesses to your list of product shopping or service needs.
Here is a list of 10 Black-owned businesses to support based in Georgia.
1. Just Add Honey
Just Add Honey is a tea company, cafe, and retail store located in Atlanta. They have retail cafe locations at Sweet Auburn Municipal Market and the Beltline. Their mission is to bring thoughtfully blended teas to your doorstep and to have you enjoy every cup anytime, anywhere. You can go to their cafe in-person or order teas online to have delivered to your home. They have a variety of choices ranging from black tea, herbal tea, fruit tea and specialty tea. All which stimulate and soothe your palate with their fresh, fun, and sophisticated flavors. All of their ingredients are natural, pure, and easily recognizable.
2. Huskers Cafe
Huskers Cafe first opened their doors for business in 2016. Huskers was founded by Carl Smith and his “breakfast-loving family.” The dining restaurant serves Sunday breakfast all day along with appealing lunch items for all, except on Sundays as of right now. The majority of their menu consists of hearty breakfast bowls, pancakes, melts and other southern-style comfort foods such as salmon and grits and chicken and waffles. They specialize in rich smooth grits thus the name Huskers came from corn husks. According to Smith, Huskers represents traditional southern values and puts family at the top of the list. “We know our customers’ orders by names and just want to spread the word about how good our food is,” said Kelly Alexander, co-owner of Huskers Cafe. “There’s no secret, we’re really nice people that serve really nice food, the Huskers way.” Huskers Cafe has three locations in the Metro-Atlanta area; Suwannee, Stone Mountain, and Atlanta inside the Sweet Auburn Municipal Market.
3. Sonshine Bath
Sonshine bath is a skincare brand founded by Tuanieha Twanna alongside her son Tristan James also known as TJ. When Twanna’s son was born, it changed the way she viewed most of the things she consumed on a daily basis. Twanna needed to know that the products she was using on TJ’s skin were safe. With that came a lot of research and Twanna began making her own soaps and body butters at home. She then turned her new found love into a business. “Supporting Sonshine Bath LLC not only helps secure Tristan’s future, but it provides other small businesses like us with an opportunity to expand and hopefully lend a hand to another up and coming business in the future,” wrote Twanna. Along with body oils, body butters, skin care products, Twanna also sells room sprays, diffusers, and candles.
4. Humans Before Handles
Humans Before Handles was founded in 2019 by Ashley Sims in Atlanta. This brand specializes in fashion jewelry while also partaking in wholesale selling. Humans Before Handles has been shouted out by female artists like Beyonce on Instagram for being a black-owned brand. The goal of this jewelry company is to help all women feel beautiful and express themselves unapologetically with statement jewelry pieces. They’re exclusively online at the moment with occasional pop-up shops in the Atlanta area. They are in the works of creating an Atlanta showroom to display their jewelry where customers can shop in-person with a reservation.
5. Greenwood Whiskey
Greenwood Whiskey is a premium rye whiskey brand. It is Russet in color and has rich smoky caramel and vanilla aromas. With hints of butterscotch, sweet cherry wood, and citrus bolster, it leaves a smooth taste. Greenwood Whiskey gets its name after the Greenwood District neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma also known as Black Wall Street. Greenwood was the home to 600 Black-owned businesses during 1921, the largest concentration of black-owned businesses in the United States at the time. This brand not only symbolizes the celebration of community, entrepreneurship, success and excellence but it also celebrates the innovative and persistent entrepreneurs that came before them. Their purpose as a brand is to give back to the next generation. A portion of all their proceeds will be donated to charities that will provide educational resources to young, diverse entrepreneurs.
6. Botanical Safari
The Botanical Safari is a newly opened plant nursery located in Douglasville. The boutique style shop is simplistic with a splash of charm. They offer customers a huge selection of plants at a reasonable price. Some of their featured houseplants include succulents, peperomias, fiddle leaf figs, snake plants, and peace lilies. With being committed to educate their clients, they offer plant consultations that cover tips and care, plant installations, and workshops. Botanical Safari encourages their clients to create a space of tranquility by adding the right plants to their environment that creates style and balance.
7. CannaBSpa
CannaBSpa was founded by licensed esthetician Brittany Angelica. It is located in Atlanta and became Georgia’s first all cannabis spa. It specializes in CBD/Hemp infused facials, massages, treatments and more. “My goal is to create an experience like no other spa out there,” said Angelica. “CannaBSpa has become the go-to to learn everything about beauty and wellness when it comes to CBD/Hemp.” Angelica was first introduced to CBD/Hemp in 2017. With struggling with anxiety and depression, Angelica looked for a more natural alternative over medication. Familiarizing herself with CBD oil, she realized the many benefits it has regarding skin care and treatment of skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. CannaBSpa has also started rolling out its own CBD skin care line, CannaBSkin, with hopes to have a full line of products out by the end of 2020.
8. F.I.N.A.O Fit Training
Failure is never an option - or FINAO - is a gym located in Smyrna. Denzell Jones, the owner of FINAO Fitness, is a strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, and specializes in one-on-one training, small group training, sports performance, and nutritional planning. Jones went from playing college football as a wide receiver to now dedicating his time to help others attain a healthier lifestyle and to reach their maximum potential. This gym offers a variety of programs to help their clients and online-based following to reach their goals. They also offer 30-day online challenges quarterly that includes a 30 day at home or gym workout guide, a nutritional plan, grocery lists, and a cash prize.
9. CaMeals
CaMeals specializes in healthy meal prep and was founded by Camille Chong. The business first began in 2018 when one of Chong’s friends asked her how much she would charge for her prepped meals. Fast forward to now, CaMeals now does nationwide meal prep shipping. Chong’s goal is to make meals with love and to make them extremely enjoyable. She doesn’t want her clients to feel like they are missing on anything while still maximizing those gains or losses. CaMeals is all about executing all of the client’s health goals so they can feel beautiful inside out. “True beauty comes from within,” said Chong. “Health is wealth.”
10. The Furry Godmother
The Furry Godmother is a mobile in-house pet groomer located in Kennesaw. Simone Gipson, the founder of The Furry Godmother, worked at PetSmart for 10 years until she became completely self-employed in July of 2020. She is also pet CPR certified. “I’ve always loved animals since I was little so it’s a genuine love I have while I work,” said Gipson. The Furry Godmother grooms all breeds of dogs. If the coat is in good condition, Gipson said she can pretty much do any haircut the pet parent would like.