WHAT TO BUY ON BLACK POUND DAY IN SEPTEMBER
If you haven’t heard of it before, Black Pound Day was set up to address the imbalances affecting Black-owned businesses. It’s a day (the first Saturday of every month) to be inspired to shop mindfully, making a conscious effort to put your spend behind Black-owned brands in order to do our bit towards a fairer economy. I’ve rounded up some brands I’ve recently discovered to shop this Saturday, 4th September that are not only Black-founded but are ethical and lovely too — I hope you love them as much as I do!
Muffin Sisters
Muffin Sisters was the dream of Polish-born sisters Kady and Lafia, who took a life-changing trip to Mali in 2014 to explore their roots. Now based in the UK, Muffin Sisters makes children’s products using traditional African fabrics with a modern European twist, like this adorable soft elephant toy adorned in a bright pink and yellow fabric guaranteed to make the whole family smile.
Afroani
Afroani make natural hair products and accessories in the UK, using sustainable principles. The brand was founded by Anita Lusuardi, who wanted to share her newfound love for her natural hair with others. The shampoo bar is a fabulous product that saves on plastic packaging, and is free of sulfates, parabens, artificial colours, cruelty and gluten, and is also vegan.
Aysha Bell
Aysha Bell comes from a line of healers and psychics, and has roots in the Caribbean and West London, where she was born. She experienced many difficult challenges throughout her life, and had to find her own path to wellness and balance. She shares some of what she found through her brand, offering both online classes and workshops, and wellness essentials including teas, jade rollers, crystal accessories and more. I’ve got my eye on the Energy Cleansing Meditation Box, which comes with affirmation cards, a natural candle, sage sticks and palo santo. Good vibes only.
Naked Clay Ceramics
Naked Clay Ceramics are handmade in Bedfordshire in small batches. There are beautiful cups, plates, bowls and vases that will add a natural element to your home. Their online shop is closed at the moment, but you can snap up this cappuccino-coloured dinner plate from We Are Nomads.
Okiki Skincare
Okiki’s super catchy tagline is “authentically British, authentically Nigerian.” The label was founded by mother-daughter duo Ade and Antonia. They make beautiful products for the body and the home from natural ingredients, like these Serenity Bath Salts infused with blue mallow petal, rose oil and frankincense oil.
The Cushion Maven
The Cushion Maven was founded by Melinda Fargo from her Norfolk home and carries lovely cushions, face masks, scrunchies and eye pillows in bright patterns. The Cushion Maven is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, and a portion of sales is donated to UK Black Pride.
Mind the Cork
Cork is the natural, sustainable and versatile material at the heart of everything Mind the Cork does. Founded by designer Jenny Espirito Santo, the brand works with craftspeople and small factories in the UK and Portugal to create decorative yet functional cork items including planters, bowls, pencil holders and cardholders.
Ori Lifestyle
Ori, meaning “head” in Yoruba, creates high-quality products using natural ingredients and sustainable processes. Their offering includes skincare regimens, facial oil, and supplements to promote wellbeing.
Affirmation Culture
Founded by meditation aficionada Monique Brown, Affirmation Culture has mental health and wellbeing at its heart. Their hand-poured coconut wax candles have enticing names like “Morning Gratitude” and “Soul Mate,” and they also carry t-shirts and tote bags made from organic cotton.
Octavia Jordan
Octavia Jordan is a wonderful destination for soy wax candles, as well as tealights, wax melts and diffusers — a one-stop shop for naturally scenting your home, if you will. Their candles are hand-poured in Birmingham using processes to minimise their environmental impact.
For more wonderful Black-owned brands to shop, check out:
Where to Shop for Black Pound Day - February
What to Buy on May's Black Pound Day
12 Black-Owned Natural Beauty Brands to Support
7 US-Based Black-Owned Fashion Brands You Need to Know