Juneteenth: A Commemoration to Black History and A Pledge to Investing in Black Communities

Juneteenth, a significant day in our nation's history, encapsulates the spirit of freedom and the fight for equality. It's a day where we honor the enduring legacy of our ancestors, reflecting on their struggles and celebrating their resilience.

As the Executive Director of ProsperUs Detroit, I have the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team to support Black entrepreneurs in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Inkster. Our support of Black entrepreneurs is rooted in the truth that we must still navigate systems that were designed to limit our success. Despite this, our tenacity and determination to excel persists. ProsperUs honors this by cultivating and connecting our community to the opportunities, resources, and capital they need.

Especially on Juneteenth, we emphasize the importance of supporting Black businesses with your dollars. This act counters historical economic injustices and propels us towards a future where Black wealth and well-being are maximized. As we collectively honor our ancestors, let’s also build a better future. With that, we hope you’ll enjoy shopping with the 19 Black-owned businesses we’re celebrating this Juneteenth.

In solidarity,

Chanell Scott Contreras, Executive Director of ProsperUs Detroit

Businesses to Support

FASHION AND BEAUTY

Krispy Addicts is a mid to high end clothing boutique inspired by Crispus Attucks, the first American killed in the American Revolution. Named in his honor, the store seeks to not only create stylish clothing but also to highlight Attucks’ story, which, surprisingly, is often not taught in US schools. By honoring his bravery and pioneering spirit, Krispy Addicts strives to help bring recognition to his legacy.

House of African Prints offers affordable, high-quality, modern pieces made with traditional Ghanaian fabric and beads sourced directly in Ghana. They also customize clothing and accessories to order, providing clients with full input on design, color scheme, fabric, and beading types. Their social mission is to create jobs for those unaccounted for or without access to meaningful employment. They also strive to foster an environment in which their employees can utilize their talents and skills to benefit the world.

Be Her is Detroit’s newest women’s clothing and accessories retailer located online at beherdetroit.com, and on Detroit’s east side at 15715 E. Warren, Detroit, Michigan 48224. They offer an edgy and eclectic range of attention-grabbing and lip-smacking female fashions, from petite to plus size, with collections ranging from weekday staples to weekend showstoppers.

Jessica Blair Beauty is committed to providing quality hair extensions, wigs, and products at fair prices while building a positive, lasting relationship with their customers. They strive to lead the way in meeting emerging beauty trends while also empowering the Detroit community. Jessica Blair Beauty also works to give back to the city of Detroit through initiatives such as donating to local shelters or sponsoring mentorship programs.

Bow-Aholic Bowtique is the place for mothers and daughters to express their creativity through trendy, fashion-forward accessories and more. The brand was created by a mother and her daughters, who wanted to provide an opportunity for bonding and interaction through shared experiences. From lace headbands to stackable bracelet sets, Bow-Aholic Bowtique offers something for everyone. They also provide interactive classes to keep the atmosphere fun and lively!

If you’re looking for trendy and cozy clothing, accessories, and lashes? Check out City Goddess Boutique. They’ve got an amazing collection for women of all sizes. Want to stay in the loop about their latest news and sales? Simply subscribe to their email list on their website. Plus, you can join their community and grow with them!

Moy Hair Essentials are all natural hair care products that are designed and formulated to restore and revitalize your hair into a healthy head of tresses. These products cater to natural and chemically processed hair, producing results that will have your hair healthy and moisturized The Natural Way.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Bouncing Around The Motor City is bringing joy and fun to Detroit! Their one-stop shop for party and event rentals provides everything you need to create a fantastic event. From weddings to birthdays, carnivals, corporate events, church festivals, school functions, and galas, trust Bouncing Around the Motor City to provide the best equipment and supplies to make your event one to remember.

HM Style Lounge is a vibrant music lounge and cultural space located in Detroit. Featuring an eclectic selection of cocktails, and delicious small bites, HM Style Lounge provides an evening of entertainment and relaxation in the Motor City.

The Social Loft is Muslim-women owned and is a practical and convenient place for women to accomplish their daily, short-term, and long-term life goals . They currently offer women’s co-working offices, a small private women’s gym, children’s playroom and an event space. Since its existence, the space has been a hub for many educational workshops, mentoring sessions, wellness and social activities.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Janna Kay Charcuterie began as an unexpected experience for guests at a backyard gathering during quarantine. But soon, it grew into a full-fledged charcuterie brand, creating individualized charcuterie experiences with thoughtfully paired items of extraordinary flavor, beauty, and luxury.

MJs Northend Ice Cream Parlor is a treasured family-owned ice cream parlor situated in Detroit. Boasting an incredible selection of hand-packed ice cream, this parlor is a must-visit spot for anyone looking to treat their taste buds to an indulgent experience in the city.

The Grubbank is an all-vegan and unique approach to helping families create home-cooked meals with the fresh ingredients they already have. They offer meal preparation and nutritional guidance with the intent to provide quality and affordable foods to those unlikely to have this alternative.

Birlon Harvest’s Premium 100% Organic Coffees are carefully crafted low-to-mild acidic, various roasts & caffeine levels. Single-origin & micro-roasted for exquisite taste & quality. Their mission is to inspire the humanity in all of us by uniting coffee lovers everywhere that have a common interest in investing in our community, one cup at a time.

CULTURAL EMPOWERMENT

KwanzaaMe is dedicated to bridging the gap in cultural responsiveness with their Kwanzaa Kits and further expanding their offerings with cultural programming and education, with a mission to encourage and foster the Kwanzaa celebration and a lifestyle rooted in its seven principles.

Black Bottom Bred is a book publishing company founded by Major Shepherd-El, is dedicated to educating those in similar circumstances. Through its publications, the company seeks to provide an honest and accurate portrayal of life on the streets, offering an alternative to the wrong paths and giving people access to information and knowledge.

Unik I Am, founded by Shayla Davis, provides critical resources to empower businesses and individuals to avoid costly mistakes and improve their processes. More than a legal resource, Unik I Am is a testament to overcoming adversity, with Davis transforming her personal experiences of hardship into a platform for uplifting and empowering others. Through motivational speaking, support services, and a merchandise line that symbolizes resilience and uniqueness, Unik I Am encourages everyone to embrace their unique journeys and leverage their struggles as stepping stones to success.

PETS AND HOME SERVICES

Pawfe Puppy Shop & Cafe was founded with one goal: to share and spread the Love of God to their community through his furry creations. By combining their mutual love for canines and coffee, they created a unique and special place where they could make a difference and bring people together. Through one sip of custom-made coffee and 4 furry paws, Pawfe Puppy Shop & Cafe aim to bring people peace, joy and, most importantly, love.

Glass Block Express started in Detroit, Michigan in January 2018, Glass Block Express provides the highest quality glass block installation at fair and market competitive prices. And they have over 10 years of glass block installation experience.

The Impact of your Support and Ways to Show It

When you commit to shopping locally and supporting Black-owned businesses, you are actively participating in reinvesting in your community and strengthening the local economy. This support counters historical economic injustices that have hindered many Black entrepreneurs from thriving in various industries. Policies like Reconstruction, Jim Crow, discriminatory loan practices, and redlining have often left Black business owners on the sidelines. Today, individuals and organizations are fighting to create economic opportunities for African Americans, striving to reduce disparities in wealth, employment, and business ownership. By supporting these businesses, we are fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of race, can have equal access to financial resources, business ownership, and employment opportunities.

In honor of Juneteenth, we encourage you to support these 19 Black-owned businesses, representing the spirit of freedom and economic prosperity that the holiday embodies. You can follow these businesses on their social media pages and websites, or even spread the word to your family and friends. Each act of support increases these businesses’ access to capital, enabling their growth and contributing to the rebuilding of Black communities that have historically suffered from systemic racism and unequal distribution of resources. Together, our collective support can lead to lasting change and prosperity.

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