Local Arizona Businesses to Support During Black Business Month
Last month, we invited you to #MoveYourMoney to support racial justice. In August, we are asking you to hold on to that momentum and shop at Black-owned businesses for Black Business Month. Started in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr., Black Business month highlights the importance of African-American businesses to not only the Black community but the national economy as well. This movement also serves to bring awareness to policies that are often negatively affecting Black entrepreneurship. You can show your support by shopping at these local businesses and sharing your experience on social media with #BlackBusinessMonth.
GRASSROOTZ BOOKSTORE AND JUICE BAR
Owned by Ali Nervis, Grassrootz Books opened in 2019 in the Eastlake Park neighborhood of Phoenix. If you’re looking to learn more about allyship, white fragility or just about any topic related to Black Lives Matter, you have found the place. The bookstore is closed to the public for the time being but Nervis is looking to expand the store’s inventory and you can still order online. One thing we love about Grassrootz are all the children’s books that are available. Titles such as “Hair Love,” “I Am Enough,” “Little Leaders,” and “Sulwe” help to instill the importance and power of diversity. There is even a lie story time event for children on Fridays that you can find on Grassrootz Facebook page.
SISSOKO TRIBAL ART
Located in Scottsdale, Sissoko Tribal Art is an art gallery that comes from the 60 year old collection of “Papa” Sambou Sissoko. Born in Mali, Mr. Sissoko began his entrepreneurial journey by selling peanuts in Mali’s capital city of Bamako. He acquired his first sculpture in 1954 and today Mr. Sissoko is widely known among dealers of fine African Art. Many pieces of his original collection can be found in major museums or have been sold at record prices in auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s. The gallery is currently open by appointment only. You can make an appointment and learn more about the gallery here. Mr. Sissoko’s appreciation for the beauty and culture of African art is clearly evident.
STRAW AND WOOL
Straw and Wool is bringing some cool to the desert. The owners have always had a love for style and each has had their individual experience with selling men’s accessories independently. With Phoenix being such a transplant town having residents from all over the country, many of whom have a deep appreciation for classic hats, the three came together to create a destination for hat lovers and hat newbies alike. As the name suggests, the shop provides a variety of materials so you can find exactly what you are looking for. Straw and Wool also looks for ways to support their local community; they recently reached out on social media to find local musicians to play in their store. Their brick and mortar on Grand and Roosevelt is open Friday-Sunday but you can also order online at www.strawandwool.com
IMAGINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Owned by the couple team JoAnne and Jason Marino, Imagine Photography is known for its dedication to a great shot — even if that means hanging out the window of a moving car or standing on an active airstrip! While they are located in Kingman, the Imagine Photography team has done photo shoots internationally. They have all your photography needs covered with portraits, seniors, weddings, headshots and boudoir photography. The Marino’s pride themselves on providing a unique and stunning final product. You can see their gallery here. They also offer handmade custom photo albums and wall art to help you show off your photos.
VOYCE THREADS
Voyce Threads give a new meaning to the phrase “fashion statement.” Created by Drew Shaw, Voyce Threads is a socially conscious lifestyle brand that designs unique pairs of mismatched socks inspired by nonprofits and charitable organizations. The socks not only bring awareness to the brand but proceeds from the sale of each sock pair goes back to the organization that inspired it. Voyce Threads “empower you to start meaningful conversations by showing off what is on your feet.” The company is currently partnered with 9 organizations including Teach for America Phoenix, Arizona Humane Society, and Circle the City. You can find those socks on their website and you can donate to their kickstarter here.
PURPLE GURL POPCORN
Promising “three kernels and you’re hooked,” Purple Gurl Popcorn offers air-popped, whole grain, non-GMO kernels in a huge variety of flavors. Created by Corey and Kimberly Horton, Purple Gurl is home-grown, Black-owned and family-owned and operated. They believe in strengthening the Arizona community and they try to buy from other small businesses to help them grow too. Purple Gurl offers spicy, sweet and cheesy flavors of popcorn as well as four different sizes ranging from one cup to 20. Want to try these tasty treats? You can find them Tuesday through Saturday at their shop in Glendale, at the Verrado Community Farmers Market, or online.