It’s Black History Month!! So, I thought it would be a great idea to write an article about the ways to show support to the black community, whether you’re black or not.
Before we move onto the article here’s my disclaimer:
Supporting the Black/African American Community should be something that’s done year round and not only during the month of February. Additionally, however you choose to show your support is totally up to you, but here are my ideas on where you could start, if you’re struggling with figuring out ways on how you could support and contribute to the Black community.
Table of Contents
Ways To Show Support to the Black Community #1:
Read Black History Books, Biographies,and Support Black Authors
Here are some books that I would recommend as a good starting place to learn a little more about Black history and the African American experience. There are also a few books by black authors on this list that you can check out. In all transparency, I haven’t read all the books on this list as yet, but this year I’m attempting to read one book a month, so here’s an insight into my 2022 reading list. Join the CODSquad Book Club!
Ways To Show Support to the Black Community #2:
Support Black Content Creators
Below, I will share some of my favorite content creators/influencers. Now, I have A LOT of content creators that I love, so this is NOT a complete list of my favs, but I chose 12 creators for this article. I will do more of these lists and recommend some more of my favs, but for now check out these Black Content Creators who I admire and have GREAT content.
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CurlsOnDemand | Natural Hair (@curlsondemand) • Instagram photos and videos
curlsondemand
That’s Me! I would be a fool to not include myself as one of my favorite content creators; I have to be my biggest supporter on most days! If you don’t know me and happened to stumble on this article, Hi! I am CurlsOnDemand! Welcome to my blog! I am a curly hair, beauty, and lifestyle content creator. I create content to inspire women, especially black women, to always show up as their authentic selves. At least that is my intent.
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Millenial Family (@williamsville.tx) • Instagram photos and videos
williamsville.tx
The Williams are one of my favorite family influencers. The couple/relationship content they produce is REAL and has a comedic undertone…plus Ryian is a natural clown! They’re both from the Caribbean and we attended the same undergraduate university, so I’m definitely biased. But, they’re definitely worth checking out. Also,they just released a book titled “What in the Fatherhood” and it walks you through Ryians’ journey through Fatherhood. You can click the button below to get yourself a copy.
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RADIANT MAMA (@cheraycashelle) • Instagram photos and videos
cheraycashelle
Cheray is a Fashion and Beauty Influencer and my God is she BEAUTIFUL. She has a very retro fashion sense and it’s impeccable! The way she makes colors and pieces, I would never put together, somehow work in harmony speaks to her talent!
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Aaliyah (@astoldbyali) • Instagram photos and videos
astoldbyali
Aliayah is a 4c Natural Hair and Caribbean Lifestyle Content Creator. I really enjoy the content she shares around her home island of Antigua! Her food videos and excursions truly makes me hungry and nostalgic for home.
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Loaferette | Natural Hair (@loaferette) • Instagram photos and videos
loaferette
Charlene is a Natural Hair and Fashion Content Creator. Let me tell you…this girl brings the HEAT! She is one of dem good body gyals (aka she has a great body) and everything looks great on her! But, I think what I love the most about her content is how comfortable she is in her own skin. I absolutely love her ability to express her femininity authentically and unapologetically…it”s truly inspiring!
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Kaya Marriott | Blogger (@comfygirlcurls) • Instagram photos and videos
comfygirlcurls
Kaya is a Curly Hair and Content Tips Content Creator. I found Kaya on Pinterest late last year and fell in love with her content. Her transparency on her platforms are admirable. You can tell through her pictures, videos and captions that she has a very lively and quirky spirit that is very inviting!
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Chloé-Ana (@chloeanabraidy) • Instagram photos and videos
chloeanabraidy
Chloe is a Curly Hair and Beauty Content Creator. I found her on instagram last year and I have thoroughly enjoyed her content. She makes an extra effort to interact with her audience and to get their insights on content that they enjoy…and believe me SHE DELIVERS. She seems to have a very fun and vibrant personality that pops out through the screen…and she’s from the Caribbean, so that’s a PLUS for me!
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OhGVibe | Skincare Chemist (@ohgvibe) • Instagram photos and videos
ohgvibe
OhGVibe is a Beauty Content Creator and he is definitely a VIBE! He is from my home island St.Lucia and he has a Chemistry degree, like I do, so he gets 2 BONUS points in my eyes! He uses his chemistry background to inform his audience about certain ingredients and qualities of the products he uses and recommends. He is also very authentic and seems like he’s always having fun or often up to something WOTLESS(misbehavior). I just LOVE his content!
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Natural Hair Content Creator (@_harrisjanae_) • Instagram photos and videos
_harrisjanae_
HarrisJanae is a Natural Hair Content Creator. Now, let me tell you about Ms. Harris, she is the queen of Natural Hairstyles. She has a bunch of creative natural hair hairstyles that you will be tempted to try..and you should! She most definitely inspires my content and willingness to do more creative hairstyles on my platforms.
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Ciara Anderson (@ayeciara) • Instagram photos and videos
ayeciara
Ciara is a Fashion and Lifestyle Content Creator. I’ve been following her since I started my natural hair content creation journey and she has inspired me to just go after the lifestyle that I want. To be honest, what initially hooked me to her page was her positivity and her relationship with God. I was at a point where I wanted nothing but positivity on my timeline and she brought that for me. Now, I am OBSESSED with her cute baby girl and I literally can’t get enough of her.
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Sopha Rush (@sopharush) • Instagram photos and videos
sopharush
Sopha Rush is a Lifestyle Content Creator. Now, I can’t remember how I found her, but her content grabbed my attention immediately. Her content is first and foremost very aesthetically pleasing. But what I loved most about her content is her transparency about her Christian journey. She also shares content on marriage/ couple life which I absolutely love.
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𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲 (@ina90skindofworld) • Instagram photos and videos
ina90skindofworld
Last on my list, but most definitely not least is my girl Alana. Alana Simone is Natural Hair and Fashion Content creator. Now, I don’t know her personally, but it feels like I do. Hi BESTFRAAANN! Alana is a VIBE! I feel like if we met in real life she would bring out the wotlessness in me and I am here for it! She has a VERY captivating energy and her hairstyles are DOPE! She’s also Caribbean, so I suspect that’s partially why I gravitate towards her content, but she also brings color and life to my timeline.
Ways To Show Support to the Black Community #3:
Support Black-Owned MakeUp Businesses
Truth be told, I am NOT A MAKEUP EXPERT. I know enough to be dangerous though! Although I don’t care much for makeup, one thing I absolutely obsess about are lippies!
When I found these two Black-Owned lippies I was sold. The nude lip-gloss from Mented blended so well with my skin tone and the red matte liquid lipstick from The Lip Bar made my lips popped…and I was very impressed when it didn’t crack or stained my lips, like some other brands. If you’re looking to support a Black-owned makeup company, I’d say try these two brands. I’m SUPER excited to discover some more Black-owned beauty makeup brands that I could add to this list.
Mented Cosmetics
- Owners: KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson
- All their lipsticks are vegan, paraben-free, non-toxic and cruelty free.
- They started off selling lip glosses and lipsticks, but they now offer a full makeup line, including foundation, eyeshadows and blushes.
- Their makeup shades are truly curated for melanated skin.
- You can find their products at Ulta and Target stores, and also on their website.
Click the button below to their website.
The Lip Bar
- Owner: Melissa Butler
- Products are vegan and cruelty-free
- Although it’s called the lip bar (and believe me they do lippies VERY WELL), they also provide a full makeup line, including foundation, lip liners, and eye-shadows.
- Their makeup shades are also curated for women of color.
- You can find their products at Walmart and Target stores, and also on their website.
Click the button below to their website.
Ways To Show Support to the Black Community #4:
Support Black-Owned Hair Care Businesses
The two brands I’m about to recommend are my go-to hair care brands. I am definitely a PRODUCT JUNKIE, but these two brands are my tried and true. The reason why I love these two brands over most other brands is how well the owners/founders have curated their products towards clean, natural, and safe ingredients.
Opulent Hair Essentials
- Owner: Daniel Foster
- Based in Houston, Texas.
- Products are vegan and infused with Ayurvedic herbs.
- Opulent Essentials hair products are not in stores, but you can make your purchases on their website.
Click button below to their website.
Melanin Haircare
- Owners: Whitney and Taffeta White.
- Products are vegan and cruelty-free.
- Natural ingredients and safe + beneficial synthetic ingredients
- You can find Melanin Haircare products at Ulta and Sephora stores, and also on their website.
Click the button below to their website.
Ways To Show Support to the Black Community #5:
Find Black-Owned Products and Tools in the Black Owned Section at Target
Did you know target labels products that are black-owned? Now, I don’t know if they’re only doing this for Black History Month, but I absolutely LOVE IT! This makes it so much easier to select products if you want to support black entrepreneurs or business owners.
This month I was in the market for a dual chamber air-fryer, and as soon as I found out that this CRUXGG, 9qt, double chamber, air fryer at target, was black-owned, it was a no brainer. If you’re not in the market for an air fryer you can find other black-owned products at your local Target stores. However, if you are in the market for a a new air fryer below are the details of the one I purchased.
CRUXGG Air Fryer by Ghetto Gastro
- Owners: Jon Gray, Pierre Serrao, Lester Walker aka “Ghetto Gastro”
- Sold at Target
- There are 6 different cooking settings: air fry, broil, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate
- They also have a patent-pending on a TriZone technology which allows users to cook 2 foods at different times and temperatures and synchronize them so they finish cooking at the same time.
- CRUXGG also helps support food insecurity programs
There you go! 5 Easy Ways To Show Support the Black Community during Black History Month. Happy Black History Month Everyone!
