Wednesday
Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses: A List of Top African American Enterprises
Supporting Black-owned businesses is more important than ever. These businesses not only contribute to the economy but also help uplift communities and promote diversity in the marketplace. Here’s a look at some outstanding African American businesses that have received excellent reviews, along with insights into why supporting them matters.
Notable Black-Owned Businesses
SheaMoisture
- Founded by Richelieu Dennis, SheaMoisture specializes in natural hair and skin care products for Black women. The brand is known for its commitment to quality and community support, including initiatives that empower women and entrepreneurs [2].
The Honey Pot Company
- Founded by Bea Dixon, this company offers natural feminine care products. The Honey Pot has gained a loyal following for its plant-based ingredients and commitment to women's health [2].
Slutty Vegan
- This Atlanta-based vegan restaurant, founded by Pinky Cole, has taken the culinary world by storm with its creative plant-based burgers. The brand emphasizes inclusivity and aims to make vegan food accessible to everyone [2].
BLK & Bold
- A specialty coffee and tea company, BLK & Bold donates 5% of its profits to support at-risk youth. Their mission combines quality products with a commitment to social responsibility [3].
Fenty Beauty
- Launched by Rihanna, Fenty Beauty revolutionized the beauty industry by offering a wide range of shades for all skin tones. The brand has received accolades for its inclusivity and quality [3].
Pattern Beauty
- Founded by actress Tracee Ellis Ross, Pattern Beauty focuses on hair care products specifically designed for curly and textured hair. The brand has been praised for its effectiveness and representation in the beauty industry [3].
Adwoa Beauty
- This haircare line, created by Julian Addo, offers non-toxic products designed for multi-cultural hair textures. Adwoa Beauty has garnered positive reviews for its moisturizing ingredients and commitment to quality [1].
Alaffia
- Known for its sustainable and fair-trade skincare products, Alaffia supports African communities through its foundation. The brand’s commitment to ethical sourcing and community empowerment has earned it a loyal customer base [1].
Black Girl Sunscreen
- Created by Shontay Lundy, this sunscreen brand addresses the lack of SPF options for deeper skin tones. It has received rave reviews for its effectiveness and formulation [1].
Brother Vellies
- Founded by Aurora James, this luxury fashion brand celebrates African craftsmanship. Brother Vellies is known for its handmade footwear and accessories, promoting sustainability and ethical fashion [2].
Why Supporting Black Businesses Matters
Economic Empowerment: Supporting Black-owned businesses helps to close the racial wealth gap. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black-owned businesses only account for about 3% of all U.S. firms, despite significant contributions to the economy [2]. By choosing to shop at these businesses, consumers can help increase their visibility and success.
Community Upliftment: Black-owned businesses often reinvest in their communities, creating jobs and supporting local initiatives. For example, many of the businesses listed above engage in philanthropy and community support, which helps to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Diversity in the Marketplace: Supporting Black businesses promotes a more diverse range of products and services. This diversity enriches the marketplace and provides consumers with more choices that reflect their values and identities.
Cultural Representation: When we support Black-owned businesses, we help amplify voices and stories that have historically been marginalized. This representation is crucial for fostering understanding and empathy across different communities.
In conclusion, when we support African American businesses, it's not just a trend; it’s a vital part of building a more equitable society. By choosing to shop at these businesses, we contribute to economic empowerment, community upliftment, and cultural representation. Let’s celebrate and support the incredible contributions of Black entrepreneurs today and every day.
Learn more:
Friday
Wednesday
Don’t Get Played: How Media Manipulation Can Lead You Down a Dangerous Path
Ever heard a story that made you so angry you wanted to do something about it—right now? Maybe you saw a video on social media that got you in your feelings, or a news article that made you question everything. Next thing you know, you’re deep in a rabbit hole, convinced that action must be taken, and fast.
That’s how media manipulation works. It taps into your emotions—anger, fear, injustice—until you’re so bound mentally that you don’t stop to think. And for some people, that emotional pull is enough to make them cross lines they never thought they’d cross.
The Trap: When Emotion Overrides Logic
We all have causes we care about. Injustice, inequality, corruption—it’s everywhere. But the media (both mainstream and social) knows exactly how to twist a story to get a reaction. Sensational headlines, edited videos, and one-sided reporting can push people to extremes.
Think about it:
- Someone shares a story about police brutality, missing key facts, and suddenly, people are rioting instead of organizing legal action.
- A “leaked” video about government corruption goes viral, but no one checks if it’s real—leading to protests that turn violent.
- Online influencers tell you “the system is broken” and that the only way to fix it is to take matters into your own hands.
Sound familiar? This isn’t new. History is full of examples where media—whether it was a newspaper, a radio broadcast, or a viral TikTok—stirred people up so much that they acted without thinking. And guess who pays the price when things go too far? Not the ones pulling the strings.
Who's Really Benefiting?
Before you let outrage dictate your actions, ask yourself:
- Who gains from this? Politicians, corporations, influencers—someone is always profiting from the chaos.
- Is this the full story? Sensational media rarely gives all the facts. Always dig deeper.
- Am I being used? If an issue is real, there are legal, productive ways to address it. If someone’s encouraging lawlessness, they don’t have your best interests at heart.
How to Stay Smart and Avoid the Setup
1. Pause Before You React – When you feel an emotional pull, step back. If something is really urgent, taking an extra day to think won’t change the truth.
2. Check the Source – If your only “proof” is a viral post, that’s a problem. Look for multiple sources, including ones that challenge your perspective.
3. Ask Who’s Profiting – Media companies want clicks. Politicians want votes. Influencers want views. If they’re using extreme messaging, it’s not just for your benefit.
4. Think Long-Term – Acting on impulse can wreck your life. People who vandalized property in protests stormed buildings, or followed radical calls to action have ended up in jail or worse—while the ones who fueled the fire walk free.
5. Find Legal, Productive Outlets – Real change doesn’t come from destruction; it comes from strategy. If you care about an issue, get involved in ways that won’t land you in a cell.
Final Thought: Don’t Be Someone’s Pawn
The harsh truth? People will use the media to manipulate others into making bad decisions. They rely on emotion, outrage, and impulsiveness to push their agendas. And when the dust settles, it won’t be them paying the price—it’ll be the ones who got caught up in the moment.
Don’t be that person. Stay smart. Stay in control. Think before you act.
For more insights on manipulation, control, and avoiding toxic influences, check out Nicholl's books:
Saturday
The Mindset and Lengths Wicked People will Go to Avoid Exposure, Jail or Death
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday
Monday
Do you believe the 2024 Election between the former president Trump and VP Kamala Harris was rigged?
Many critics believe the 2024 election was rigged. Here is an interesting post that appeared on social media platform, X, worth considering and beginning your own investigatived journey.
A researcher says:
It’s likely not coincidental that nearly all voting equipment in this country is certified with “Tripp Lite” products - surge protectors for ES&S DS450 and DS850 tabulators, and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) units for all Dominion servers, offered optionally for Dominion voting machines. Who owned “Tripp Lite”? That would be Leonard Leo until he sold it in 2021 to Eaton Corp., formerly in OH, now in Ireland for the tax shields. What is Eaton Corp. up to now? Enter Peter Thiel and Elon Musk. One week after Musk filed to create the Trump-serving America PAC, on May 29th, 2024 Eaton Corp announced their partnership with Palantir. Palantir is a company owned and run by Elon Musk’s co-founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel. It gets technical here (as rabbit holes tend to do), but stay with me. This Eaton/Palantir partnership was focused on secure erasure of digital footprints on Eaton devices, as well as on AI management of large datasets. Large datasets? Such as large quantities of ballot images? This technology can be used to tailor customized images at scale and with incredible speed. Sept 2024, Eaton Corp. announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Tesla, further combining interests and providing cover for the ongoing correspondence and transfer of payments. This announcement didn’t originate out of OH or TX, it originated from PA - Musk’s HQ for the Trump campaign. Why are private, supposedly “neutral” election and voting systems companies partnering with and sourcing core components from far-right predatory billionaires? For access to production facilities and knowledge of product design? Let’s kick open the door for widespread insertion of maliciously engineered products into election systems. Remember, this isn’t Thiel’s only investment tied to the U.S. election. In May 2024, Thiel’s VC “Founder’s Fund” raised $45M to form the online betting platform Polymarket. The betting platform with uncannily accurate predictions of a Trump victory, that was RAIDED shortly after the election. Meanwhile, Dominion continues to endorse and certify the use of Tripp Lite products even after its sale to Eaton Corp, and partnerships with Peter Thiel and Elon Musk. Dominion servers are nearly all networked to Tripp Lite UPS units, which receive regular updates and patches from Eaton Corp. These patches and drivers are not monitored in the same manner as core election software, as they are “optional.” 2024 election outcome: Dominion districts are the most significantly shifted from “blue” to “red” by margin of overall voters from 2020-2024. The largest margin of shifts took place in Dominion voting districts. Despite many regions polling far higher for the Harris campaign than the Biden campaign leading up to Nov 5, NOT ONE COUNTY flipped from “red” in 2020 to “blue” in 2024. Back to Musk, Starlink has quietly been assembling a Direct-to-Cell constellation; this unprecedented technology has never been present during a major electoral event. In July, Musk noted the completion of his Giga TX supercomputer. July 22, he completed installation of his Memphis supercomputer. Something that typically requires 18+ months, Musk completed in 19 days. These projects were completed in record time, at extraordinary extra cost. Of note, the extreme rush to build these facilities only emerged AFTER Musk’s “Billionaire brain trust” meetings with tech leaders and GOP funders including Leonard Leo, Rupert Murdoch, et al. Nov 5, Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites were in orbit and operational, these 265 satellites effectively placed the equivalent of a hacker’s “Stingray” device in every single voting precinct in America. Oct 21, Musk dines with Murdoch. Oct 25, Murdoch’s WSJ drops the bombshell story re Musk’s treasonous communication with Putin. Why would Murdoch risk Trump’s win? He knew the fix was in. Musk wants access to the minerals in Ukraine, and Murdoch reminded him that he knew where the bodies were buried. Losing was not an option.
It’s likely not coincidental that nearly all voting equipment in this country is certified with “Tripp Lite” products - surge protectors for ES&S DS450 and DS850 tabulators, and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) units for all Dominion servers, offered optionally for Dominion… pic.twitter.com/HZBwhckxau
— ThisWillHold (@ThisWillHold) January 22, 2025
Tuesday
Black Economic Boycotts Must Be Driven By Strategy, Not Emotions Master Class - Ronald S. Martin
African American Planet: Relationships, Education, Products & Lifestyle by Nicholl McGuire is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at africanamericanplanet.blogspot.com.
