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The year 2020 has arguably been one of the biggest fails, according to social media. However, there is always a silver light and since May, the light has been found with the meaning of the word “unity.” Amidst racial tensions and social resistance, there was an boost in the Black economy as the culture flocked to support Black-owned everything in protest of every institution that taught us to put ourselves last. Despite the odds stacked against the community, Black people began to fully recognize the power of the Black dollar and have since circulated thousands within the community.
Just as the world is changing, Pharrell dropped an unexpected video for his latest track, “Entrepreneur” which features a verse from JAY-Z. Both entrepreneurs in their own right, Hov and Skateboard P have given their fans soundtracks to hustle and build inspiration from throughout their careers. Amassing over 1 million views on YouTube, their latest contribution is no different. A beautiful display of Black excellence directed by Los Angeles-based filmmaker Calmatic, “Entrepreneur” is a powerful visual full of pride and resilience. It takes viewers on a journey around the world as we learn of 30 plus Black-owned businesses, some of which were close to losing it all during the pandemic.
So, we at REVOLT compiled a list of every business highlighted in the video to spread the reach and support. Take a look at all 33 businesses in order of which they appear below.
Vox Collegiate
Founder of Vox Collegiate, TyAnthony Davis created this tuition-free public charter school in Los Angeles with the belief that every student can reach high academic expectations when supported to do such. Since 2018, has granted students grades 6-12 with an education in ownership, empowerment, and confidence by allowing each student a right to their voice regardless of zip code, socioeconomic status, or race.
GOLF WANG
Combining streetwear, hip hop, and skateboarding, GOLF WANG was founded by rapper and producer Tyler the Creator in 2011. Known for his creativity, Tyler launched a multitude of successful business ventures, all of which seemingly explore and celebrate his inner thoughts. Inspired by Pharrell himself, the Odd Future member uses his platform to bring his wildest dreams to life, inspiring the next generation to never forget their childhood aspirations.
Honey’s Kettle Restaurant
Rediscovering the lost art of kettle-cooked fried chicken, Honey’s Kettle Restaurant is bringing organic chicken a new taste. Founded in 2000 by husband and wife duo Vincent and Arlene Williams, Honey’s Kettle is a family business that has survived two decades of change in Los Angeles. With Vincent as the head chef, their children have now helped expand their legacy and grow the business to fit modern times.
spatiaLABS
Founded by Iddris Sandu, spatiaLABS brings your favorites to you in the form of a hologram thanks to a design built by the 23-year-old whiz kid. Known from his work with Nipsey Hussle and The Marathon Clothing Store, Sandu is proving the world is your canvas, bringing hands-on experiences right to your camera.
“Ownership to me means the ability to be free. To be free from judgment, to be free from restriction and to be free from limitation and association. Both JAY-Z and Pharrell are exemplary examples of refuting such limitations through their work. Ownership is a universal key of life.” – Iddris Sandu exclusively tells REVOLT after his video appearance
The Honey Pot Company
A first of its kind and founded by a Black woman, The Honey Pot Company is an all-natural feminine care brand that works to cleanse, protect, and balance a woman’s “honeypot.” Founded by Beatrice Dixon, this Honey Pot Co. was a gift from her ancestors as she searched for a healing that would be safe and natural. Powered by herbs and made by women, the company has been serving customers since 2014 and continues to lead in the business of healthy honeypots worldwide.
D’ART Shtajio
Brothers Arthell and Darnell Isom created the first Black-owned anime studio in Japan in 2016. D’ART Shtajio revolutionized the Japanese anime industry by adding westernized elements and storytelling tactics to the culture. Ready to take an idea to the next level, the Isom brothers are committed to building a strong foundation centered around their artists and clients.
Issa Rae Productions
Issa Rae is known as being a self-made star. Staying true to her roots, Rae uses her hometown as inspiration and a permanent backdrop, reviving the city and bringing light to businesses one comedic adventure at a time. As the creator of HBO’s most sought after comedy’s “Insecure,” she’s now reaching back to give other creatives that same opportunity with Issa Rae Productions in the music and television realms.
The Marathon Clothing
Not much needs to be said about The Marathon Clothing, but one could go on for days. Truly self-made, the late great entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle and his brother Black Sam bought the block and built their empire at the same location in which they began. Even in his death, The Marathon Clothing holds Nip’s legacy just as his lyrics have motivated the masses to believe in themselves and stay the course.
Neighbors Skate Shop
Located in Leimert Park, iconically one of the many homes of Black excellence in Los Angeles, Neighbors Skate Shop keeps the energy and momentum of skateboarding alive. Rooted in continuity, Neighbors is a bridge between generations. One of the first in the hood, this skate shop will now be an epicenter for movement and skate culture planted on a Black block.
Run Hundred
Keep It Run Hundred is LA’s weekly run club committed to helping the community become better by enhancing the mind, body, and soul through running. Beginning with a small group run led by Alrick Augustine, Keep It Run Hundred quickly grew into the hundreds as people from all over Los Angeles flocked to participate in 5K runs and marathons hosted every week. With a massive support system, their motto, “There is no last place,” welcomes runners from all walks and all levels to be one with each other and run.
Six Sev
Designer, rapper, and activist Six Sev — born Elijah Simmons — is one of many committed to keeping Crenshaw alive and well. Following his neighborhood hero Nipsey Hussle’s blueprint, Six Sev cultivates a culture and an immense amount of pride for Crenshaw and Leimert Park.
Harun Coffee
Using the money he made in the music industry, Chace Infinite opened Harun Coffee. In the middle of Leimert Park, Harun is the place where the thinkers and dreamers go to work on the next successful Black-owned business. Harun celebrates Black culture and supports its neighbors as a stockist for designs by Six Sev and Passport Harun Collective gear.
Partake Foods
Denise Woodard founded Partake Foods after her baby girl was born with food allergies. Not knowing how hard it was to find a healthy array of allergy-friendly snacks, she then sought to make her own, refusing to give up until she got the perfect recipe. Now, a fully functioning company, stars like H.E.R. and JAY-Z have vouched for the brand by praising its tasty treats.
My Two Cents
Black-owned and operated, My Two Cents comes in as a rarity as it’s also led by a Black woman. Alisa Reynolds birthed her restaurant in L.A. to reclaim the African American narrative that lays within soul food. Since its beginning, My Two Cents served up fine cuisine with healthy twists to some of your favorite soul food choices. She’s brought out the likes of Solange, Ava Duvernay and even had the opportunity to cook for the 44th president, Barack Obama.
PUR Home
After making her first ever natural homemade bar soap, Angela Richardson knew this idea was something she wanted to grow on. For seven years, her company PUR Home has provided natural, non-toxic eco-friendly cleaning supplies and laundry detergents at an affordable price. Taking it a step further, her innovative practices also includes compostable and recyclable containers made of newspaper and cardboard to help keep the earth healthy.
Bia Blooms
A flower child, Tabia Yapp founder Bia Blooms created an L.A. based floral boutique that creates a limited collection of arrangements monthly. New to the game, Yapp prides herself on being able to bring joy to her community through the beauty of flowers. Along with her creative-outlet, she also runs another company she founded, noting that entrepreneurship is all about expansion.
Tribe Midwifery
Thanks to founder Debbie Allen, Black women can now birth their babies knowing there is someone who intimately cares about both lives at hand. Allen began Tribe Midwifery after years of being a doula as a result of a cold and troublesome birthing experience of her own. After literally birthing her passion, she found it necessary to help other mommies in Los Angeles and provide education, support, and love to mothers throughout their pregnancies and beyond.
Miss Bennet Fitness
Personal trainer and physique competitor Miss Bennet Fitness is all about health and her sneakers. For her, entrepreneurship is about giving back. “Do what you can’t do. Give what you don’t have and believe what you can’t see,” she wrote on Instagram. A lover of life, she uses fitness to return love to her clients, friends, and family all while celebrating her physical strength and power as a Black woman.
Black & Mobile
Another first of its kind, Black & Mobile was created to serve the underdogs and the underrepresented. Founded by 22-year-old college dropout David Cabello, the food-delivery service exclusively partners with Black-owned restaurants providing technology and support to expand their customer base. As a delivery service, it also hires those from the community gifting them the opportunity to be their own boss and further circulate the Black dollar. In just one year, Black & Mobile spread to aid businesses in three Black major cities including its founding location of Philadelphia, as well as Detroit and Atlanta.
Trill Paws
Who says your dog can’t be just as fly as you? Founder of Trill Paws Rachel Jones began her company in 2018 with the help of her pup, Kevin, with an idea to create dog tags like never before. A lover of pop culture, Jones sought to use her passion and love for dogs to fill her pockets. Jones took a leap of faith by quitting her assistant job, and jumped fully into her entrepreneurial bag, and has yet to look back.
Third Vault Yarns
Inspired by sci-fi and fantasy, Third Vault Yarns is a passion project turned business by dyer and founder Lola Johnson. Inspired by colors, the London-based company is an independent force full of creativity and love.
The Broadway Collective
Founded by Broadway performer, director, and choreographer Robert Hartwell; The Broadway Collective was built to train the next generation of Broadway artists. It believes in order to help its students achieve greatness. With students taught by the industry’s leading experts and talents, nearly all of them go on to be successful BFA Musical Theatre college students and stars.
Compton Cowboys
With “Streets Raised Us, Horses Saved Us” as its motto, the Compton Cowboys are purposely reminiscent of a Black western. Operating out of Richland Farms in Compton, the non-profit reintroduces the whitewashed cowboy culture to Black America while helping youth avoid street violence by teaching leadership and self-esteem through competitions. It also serves as a safe haven for those recently released back into society, providing a place of peace.
Hugh Augustine’s Hot Bowl
Founded by independent rapper Hugh Augustine during the middle of a pandemic, Hugh Augustine’s Hot Bowl began as a means to provide for his community, which lacked vegan cafes and restaurants. A hustler by nature, Hugh decided once Coronavirus canceled his scheduled tour, he’d take his love of cooking to the next level. Since then, he’s been selling his signature meals and positive energy along with new music all summer.
Simply Wholesome
A staple in the Los Angeles community, Simply Wholesome has sat on the top of the hill since the early ’80s. The historical landmark has been a sanctuary for natives and tourists as they browse the market stocked with Black-owned products, while drinking delicious smoothies and their famed beef patties. Priding itself on being a cultural hub, Simply Wholesome’s mission, “Keeping You Looking Good and Feeling Good,” is more of an energetic force that greets everyone who walks through the front door.
Soul Food House
In the heart of Tokyo, Japan lies a family-owned soul food restaurant bringing Cajun and Southern cuisine to the most unexpected place. Soul Food House founded by David and LaTonya Whitaker provides a little piece of authentic Black culture complete with homemade meals and the ambiance of your favorite lounge.
Nail XPerience
Founded by sisters Nina and Sarah Yinda of Nail XPerience in Paris, France created their first nail bar in 2014. Now with two locations, they bring a uniqueness and design concept to their hometown. Not only do they provide a service, but they have taken things a set further offering classes to teach their clean technique.
M.I.O. Prints
Fashion blogger and influencer Florence Olufemi-Ojo created M.I.O. Prints to strengthen her connection to Africa. Using Kente and Ankara prints, she creates products that not only make you look good, but feel good as she attaches her passion for hair and skincare to the brand. Operating as not only a business but a social movement, M.I.O. Prints welcomes and encourages people of all ethnicities to join in building a community that celebrates African culture in Ireland.
Caked & Baked Studio
Known for its fun and creative cakes, Caked & Baked Studio in Tel Aviv, Israel is known for bringing the trendy unicorn cake to the area. Founder Lee’at Gentely began making cakes for her children, finding that she had a special talent and naturally started baking for friends and the rest of her family. An accident, as she calls it, birthed a massive career in baking and the nickname “Cake Lady.”
Umoja Production
Founded n 2017 by two Afro-Irish entrepreneurs, China Soribe and Liswa McDonald began selling t-shirts in the college hallways. Years later, they would build Umoja Production, a high-quality afrocentric fashion brand. “Umoja,” which means unity in Swahili, puts purpose behind the title, as their e-commerce shop is a house for African creators to normalize and celebrate African prints and their history.
Avila Diana Art
Avila Chidume found Avila.Diana in 2018 with the intention of increasing awareness about marginalized groups including LGBT+, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities through inclusive greeting cards. A law student, Chidume is passionate about equality and human rights, and her designs are purposed to create conversation around such topics as she reaches to make a major impact with her art.
The Artisan Grower
Coining the term “Veganic,” The Artisan Grower prides itself on being better than organic, as it uses absolutely no animal products or byproducts to harvest its natural veggies. Founders Robert and Michelle Sullivan spend their summers in the fields building generational wealth with their kids closely behind to learn the family business. Taking clean eating to the next level, the Sullivans have put their hearts into producing the healthiest produce in Scotland.
Maison Château Rouge
Inspired by African heritage, Maison Château Rouge celebrates the connection of cultures. Founded in 2015 by brothers Youssouf and Mamadou Fofana, the brand exemplifies community and carries its social responsibility in style. Part of a larger social project, Maison Château Rouge is committed to bringing together an international network of playmakers in all fields to better its community.