The Southern California Black-Owned Businesses You Need to Know About

Whether it’s buying clothing from a woman-owned small business instead of from a major department store or hitting up the local farmers market rather than the grocery store chain, we have the ability to make a positive impact with our purchasing decisions.

In an effort to create a more equitable world, making a commitment to support Black-owned businesses is a powerful way to strengthen economically marginalized communities and fight systemic racial inequality. From neighborhood bookstores and coffee shops to beauty brands and retail stores, California’s Black-owned businesses need our support—not just now, but always. So, leverage your purchasing power to help make a difference. 

Black-Owned Businesses in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known for offering endless opportunities and being a city for dreamers. Many Black entrepreneurs have pursued their ambitions and found success in and around L.A. by starting unique dessert shops, skincare lines, art galleries, and much more. While this list is by no means exhaustive, here are a few Southern California Black-owned businesses where you can feel good about spending your money. 

JADE Swim

Combining minimalist aesthetics with creative silhouettes, JADE Swim is a sustainable swimwear brand founded by former fashion editor and stylist Brittany Kozerski. Successfully creating high-quality swimwear that can also double as layering pieces, the Black female business owner made a collection that brings attention to the body with unique design details.

Kozerski specifically tailored the swimwear to be multifunctional—you can wear these pieces to the beach or during a night out in the city—and to flatter various body types. JADE Swim’s one-pieces and bikinis are also made of Italian fabric that retains its shape and provides UV protection. This local  Black-owned business has reinvented swimwear by adding edge to classic shapes. 

Band of Vices

Founded in 2015 by veteran actor Terrell Tilford, Band of Vices is an art gallery serving as a platform for emerging, mid-career, and established visual artists. One of the most relevant and well-curated independent art galleries in South Los Angeles, Band of Vices is an impressive competitor in the gallery-heavy West Adams Art District and is a member of the newly formed Gallery Association Los Angeles (GALA).

The Black-owned business showcases works of rising artists such as Yoyo Lander, Shantell Martin, and Grace Lynne Haynes. In addition to displaying artworks, the gallery space is used for pop-ups, photoshoots, film shoots, and celebrations.