Black Owned Businesses You Should Know 2019

Lavi

Lavi is a NYC based contemporary menswear brand. The family business is run by the, Bronx bred Harlem residents, Washington brothers Cedric, Jahri, and Cedel.

The brand is heavily inspired by hip-hop, work-wear, and sports. Manufactured in Harlem by a black clothier, Lavi predominantly sources its materials in NYC. All digital artwork and fabric prints are designed in house. The iconic "X" reoccurs throughout their collections to pay homage to the Bronx.

Their intention is to be able to eventually facilitate jobs to young black creatives and inspire them towards generational wealth.

Contact:

Website: http://Lavi-nyc.com

Instagram: @lavi.nyc

Dominique Davenport

Dominique Davenport is an artist who creates paintings and illustrations for sale. She also does commissioned portraits and custom abstract painted furniture.

Her and her fiancé, Gino Fleming, work with up and coming brands (as well as established brands) to shoot their content. He is the photographer and she directs/coach the models.

Contact:

Dominique's art Instagram: @dominique_art

Model/entertainment page: @_lovedom__

Website: Dominiquedavenport.com

Gino Fleming Instagram: @bygno

Wulfpac

WPR, or Wulfpac regime, is a lifestyle luxury brand that was created as a platform for creativity. The 7 core members are Wulfpac V, Wulfpac Listen, Wulfpac Eud, Wulfpac gifted, Wulfpac Dubbs, Wulfpac Caro, and Wulfpac Jae. They do everything from music to host events.

WPR was founded in 2016. Something really unique about their shopping experience is that they only sell merchandise via word of mouth, and customers have to know someone connected to Wulfpac. They usually do several pop-up events a year. One thing that separates them from the crowd is the elaborate packaging and quality.

They don’t aim to impress the sheep or the status quo. They are here for the creatives. They plan to take over the world one wulf at a time 🙌🏿!

Contact:

Instagram: @wulfpacregimellc

Website: under construction

Sidra Startups

Do you want to grow your digital presence and let the world know about your business, but you may not have the time or skills? Sidra Startups provides social media management and email marketing. Sidra, the founder, currently works with New York based businesses to create and grow their online presence through targeted engagement, email marketing, content creation and social media management.

Sidra Startups creates and revamps Instagram pages and campaigns to reflect company goals and mission. Builds and cultivates audience through organic strategic engagement. Designs strategy to drive traffic to your site, store and/or event

The strategy consist of: visually appealing Instagram layouts and emails, composing engaging captions and stories, and graphic design.

Contact Sidra to start up your digital presence!

Services:

Social media management
Branding
Graphic design
Email marketing

Contact:

Email: sidrastartups@gmail.com

Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: Sidra Startups

Website: sidrastartups.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=497GvlXVcic

Kinked Up Art

Kinked Up Art is a celebration of textured hair and multiple hues under the sun. They celebrate kinked up, curled up and coiled up cuties through acrylic paintings, digital art and digital designs. They believe that #NaturalHairIsProfessional. Embrace your creativity in every aspect of life from the office to Curlfest. Find Kinked Up Art printed on home decor, clothing, water bottles, clutches and more. All products are great to treat yourself or a curlfriend. All items are exclusively available online. Upgrade your everyday items today at kinkedupart.com.

Contact:

Email: sidrastartups@gmail.com

Twitter, IG and Facebook: We have the kinkest followers at @KinkedUpArt

Website: kinkedupart.com

The Lash Guru

Ladies, we all know that lashes can really take a look to a-whole-nother level. The Lash Guru is a certified lash technician specializing in classic, hybrid and volume lash extensions. She is in-home making her services affordable, and she also offers travel services. Check out her work on Instagram @_thelashguru_.

Wavy Fox Lingerie/ Young Wavy Fox

Wavy Fox NYC is more than a brand, it’s a mindset. The line of lingerie, swimwear, and healing accessories such as sage & healing crystals, is targeted towards uplifting the everyday woman’s confidence & self-esteem. When a woman wears the brand, she exudes femininity. She embodies the right to feel sexy, and free in her own skin, despite the unrealistic beauty/body standards society has conditioned us to believe is right. Ran by a Young Wavy Fox, a black Afro-Latina woman, it’s a brand that has a real story. It’s a story of entrepreneurship, triumph mixed with a lot of sex appeal that women all over the globe can aspire to and relate to.

Kaysy Gotay, also known as Young Wavy Fox, is a DJ and entrepreneur based in New York City.

Her Afro-Latina roots exudes in her eclectic music selection. Wavy’s sound ranges from Baile Funk, Afro beat, to Brazilian Jazz, and Trap. She uses the art of DJing to express the multifarious dimensions of her creativity and personality. Recently she DJ’d the opening of Kehinde Wiley’s Black Rock artist residency in Senegal. Wavy has features in magazines such as Timeout NY, People Magazine, ELLE UK, Huffington Post, Teen Vogue, US, Italian, and French VOGUE , Glamour Magazine, Style.com magazine + more.

Contact:

Website: https://www.wavyfoxnyc.com/

Instagram: @wavyfoxnyc and @youngwavyfox

Collage

CollageNYC is a brand that promotes togetherness and collective growth. It provides a platform and canvas for people to come together and paint a picture. They are more than clothes; they are a community. “We Are All Pieces…”

Collage was created because Latye noticed that some of his friends struggled to find their way in their respective industries, whether it be fashion, music, art or entrepreneurship. He wanted to provide a helping hand and support them in chasing their dreams. CollageNYC’s first event, The Cop Up Shop- a collaborative pop up shop showcasing different brands and vendors, was a huge success! Stay tuned to see what else they have in store!

Contact:

Instagram: @collage_nyc

Facebook: @CollageNewYork

Website is under construction

Ben Oni

Ben Oni is an online jewelry store founded by Ashley Newman, a super creative from the Bronx.

After quitting a job she really disliked, Ashley decided to fast and ask God for clarity and direction. During that time, she got the idea to start her own business and make it centered around something she actually loves, jewelry. One day while reading the Bible, she came across the name ‘Benoni’ which means “son of my sorrow”. ‘Benoni’ was the perfect name for the company seeing as though it was birthed from the misery she felt working a shit job and just not having her own. Her store carries beautiful, inexpensive jewelry that has a presence. A lot of pieces have sparkle & shine but, there’s also some simple, high-quality jewelry that can be worn daily.

One of the things that excites her most about being a business owner & creative director is being able to control the brand message. Although all are welcome to buy, wear, and enjoy her jewelry she wants brown girls to know and feel that each piece is selected with their skin tones in mind.

Some quick facts about the company:

Ben Oni pronounced [ ben awn.ee]
We have all our jewelry on hand and ready to ship immediately.
Orders ship from NYC same day or next business day.
There’s FREE 1-3 DAY SHIPPING on all U.S. orders!

Ben Oni understands that some people have sensitive ears, so we coat our jewelry with an allergy shield.

Contact:

Website: shopbenoni.com

Instagram: @shopbenoni

Fatimat Adelabu Design Station Co.

When it comes to your special event, she believes it is important to capture your guests’ attention with something memorable from the day. Her name is Fatimat Adelabu and she creates luxury magazines for weddings or events that allows the celebrants to tell their story unfiltered onto a tangible item that their guests can pour his or her attention into, either when there is a lull during the reception or when they take it home and reflect on the celebrants event.

Magazines are fully customizable and can feature pages of how you met your spouse, or for birthdays, a list of lessons you've learned through the years, a puzzle section for kids and adults alike to guess. The magazine can also serve as a reception itinerary and/or include church hymns for guests.

Magazines can be sized either 5x8 to fit perfectly on a table setting or sized 8x11 for celebrants with a lot of content. Each creation is printed by a high quality, and highly favored printer based out in sunny California. Minimums can be as small as 50 copies to an unlimited bunch.

Fatimat Adelabu is a Sr. Analyst for the audience management department at the world’s largest company within the eyewear industry. She has previously worked for numerous luxury high profile brands and has a knack for targeting an audience’s attention. Recently she has ventured into the ever so rewarding realm of event collateral, websites and resources. As a Nigerian, she's been to enough weddings and parties to know that details like magazines really does set apart a memorable event from others.

Contact:

Website: www.fatimatadelabu.com

Email: hello@fatimatadelabu.com

Instagram: @fbadelabu

Fatimat B. Adelabu

C - 646-644-2645

E - fbadelabu@gmail.com

Sienna Christine’s Travel Itineraries

In 2019, Sienna Christine founded her business creating personalized travel itineraries that include a balance of sightseeing, culture, relaxation, nightlife and adventure! Her ultimate goal is to make her clients’ travel dreams come true in the most seamless way possible.

Sienna’s business is a product of her love for travel. It was designed to assist people who want to travel but don’t know where to start and those who have the travel bug but are too busy to plan. She asks personalized questions to each client to ensure that she is creating the best travel experience for them specifically. Sienna Christine’s travel itineraries include day and night activities for each night of the client’s trip, restaurant recommendations and travel tips! Her hope is that through this business, she can encourage more people to step out of their comfort zone, travel more and experience the world in a new way.

For inquiries, email siennachristinetravels@gmail.com. To keep up with her latest travels, follow her Instagram: @iamsiennachristine

Lit bar

Bronx native and resident, Noëlle Santos, always had dreams of opening a bookstore/wine bar. This dream became a reality when she opened The Lit Bar in April 2019. The indie bookstore is located in the Bronx NY and is home to 100s of different books and authors. This bookstore is extraordinarily special because it came just as the only bookstore in the Bronx, Barnes and Noble Bay Plaza, closed down back in 2016. Another great element is the bar. When have you been to a book store with a bar? Forget sip and paint, let's sip and read!