National Black Business Month: 8 meaningful ways to support Black entrepreneurs in Charlotte

August is National Black Business Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and uplifting Black-owned businesses across the United States.

In Charlotte, the Black entrepreneurial landscape continues to deepen and grow, so there are numerous ways to celebrate and support local businesses. From visiting their brick-and-mortar locations to sharing a review about your favorite caterer or getting involved with local Black business advocates, there’s an option for everyone.

Here are eight meaningful ways to celebrate Black Business Month in Charlotte:

1. Shop at Black-owned retail

One of the simplest but most impactful ways to celebrate Black Business Month is to consciously support Black-owned businesses.

Visit a Black-owned store like Happy Kat Candles in Northlake Mall, Five13 Studio in South End or Brown Sugar Babe, and explore the variety of items available for purchase.

Whether you’re looking for clothes, accessories, specialty items or just want to browse, there’s lots to choose from in Charlotte.

Also, visit The Black-owned Marketplace, a limited-time store event happening in South End Aug 16-18.

2. Attend local events and Markets

Many communities in Charlotte host special events in August to celebrate Black Business Month. Look for local markets, fairs, or festivals that showcase Black entrepreneurs. These events often feature live music, art, food demonstrations, and local vendors, allowing you to shop while enjoying the cultural richness of the community.

3. Engage on social media

Social media is an excellent — and free — tool for highlighting and promoting Black-owned businesses. In Charlotte, there are several groups or collectives that have really honed the power of its use, like the Charlotte Black Business Facebook group, CLT Black Owned, Eat Blk Charlotte and Black Business Owners Corporation.

Each group shares about Black-owned businesses in the area and can help you connect with what’s nearby. After visiting, you can share your experiences on social media by posting photos of the products and encouraging your followers to do the same.

4. Support Black artists and creatives

Black Business Month is also a great time to get to know some of Charlotte’s Black creatives. Charlotte’s arts scene is vast, and there’s no shortage of creatives to connect with, hire for projects or buy art from. BLK MRKT Charlotte and the VAPA Center are great places to start when looking to meet or connect with local creatives.

5. Support Black-owned media

Less than 4% of all media in the United States is Black-owned. Having a voice is important, and Black-owned media helps create more equitable coverage of what’s happening in the community.

You can support Black-owned media by reading QCity Metro, one of the country’s first digital-only publications created with Black communities in mind, or by reading The Charlotte Post, Charlotte’s oldest Black-owned publication.

You can also a financial supporter of the newsroom. By joining QCity Metro’s Press Club, you help support journalism focused on stories that matter to Charlotte’s Black communities.

6. Attend Workshops and Panel Discussions

Charlotte has many Black-owned eateries to try out. From formal seated establishments to grab-and-go favorites, here are a few to check out:

7. Spread the word

One no-cost way to support Black-owned businesses during August is by sharing them. Whether you tell a friend in person, make a recommendation online, share social content or write a review on Facebook about them, spreading the word is a great way to support a Black entrepreneur.

8. Engage with the local chambers of commerce

Connect with local organizations like the Charlotte Black Chamber of Commerce.

By getting involved, you can stay informed about upcoming events and initiatives that support Black businesses. Organizations like the chamber often provide resources, networking opportunities and support for Black entrepreneurs.