As February is Black History Month, I wanted to pull together a roundup of some of my favorite Black artists, authors, and businesses. It’s important to me to support Black artists and businesses all year round (not just during a designated month), but this month’s theme gave me an occasion to highlight them (in what has turned out to be a very pretty roundup!).
It was hard to narrow down just six per category. So if you are looking for more, definitely check out my initial list of Black-owned businesses, as well as this post and this post.
On the note of Black History Month, I am donating 50% of February’s Amazon affiliate revenue to The Okra Project this month. The Okra Project is dedicated to providing (very necessary) mutual aid to Black Trans people across the United States.
Books
First of all, this mini list is just scratching the surface with some more recent favorites. If you go to The Library, I have a filter for Black authors to make it really easy. Or you can refer to this page. I read a lot of thrillers. Two authors that never miss for me are Tiffany D. Jackson and Wanda M. Morris. I will read anything they write. I loved Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson and am starting her newest, Good Dirt this week. James, by Percival Everett, was a must-read for me. I highly recommend listening, as the narrator does a really good job acting out the different characters’ parts. I just finished Danielle Prescod’s latest book (loved it!) and love everything Tembe Denton-Hurst does (her Substack, Extracurricular, is fantastic).
Beauty
Luv Scrub and Klur are older favorites in the beauty space. I can’t recommend getting a Luv Scrub enough. It’s an African-style wash cloth. Use it in the shower with your favorite body wash for silky skin. Years ago, I wrote a whole post about it. Ami Cole’s mascara is phenomenal. It gives you pretty glossy lashes with just enough length and volume, and it won’t fade or feather. Plus, the price-point is nice. This Shani Darden mask is a mainstay in my beauty routine; whenever my skin is acting up I use it to reset. Lastly, Topicals! I can’t get over how effective these undereye masks are.
Artists
My Fares Micue photo (this one!) is one of my favorite pieces of art. It’s titled “Too Many Expectations” and is such a beautiful representation of how it feels to be overwhelmed. I bought it from Liz Lidgett’s gallery several years ago. I had to include Demond Melancon here, too. He won the Gibbes Society 1858 artist prize, and we celebrated him and his artwork this past week and weekend. His work is beautiful, created using glass beads, a needle, and thread. Mister Michelle’s pieces are graphic and legendary. I love that her model is just her email newsletter. Sign up, pieces go fast.
It was important to me to include some more accessible-priced artists here: Jaleel Campbell, Uzo Njoku, and Adrian Brandon all sell very affordable prints.
Fashion
There are so many incredible Black designers I love. If I were on an unlimited budget, I’d wear Christopher John Rogers to ever fancy party. His use of color is exquisite. Tove makes great basics that still feel super special and interesting. LemLem is a classic, and if you have a vacation coming up, everything Míe makes is perfect. More recently, I’m loving Andrea Iyamah — everything she does is bold, fun . . . vibrant! And for jewelry, I love Mateo.
Definitely refer back to the posts I linked at the top for even more!
Lifestyle
This is sort of a catchall section. The best sweatshirt I own is by Aliya Wanek. It has a cozy dropped shoulder, and it’s made from an organic cotton and hemp blend that is locally dyed. And it’s produced in a family-owned factory in the Bay Area. Harlem Candle Company is a favorite for gifts. I love Cloth & Paper’s beautiful agendas. How chic is this incense burner? Lastly, Linoto and Bolé Road for gorgeous textiles and housewares.
