Beyoncé Launches Initiative for Black-Owned Businesses

Beyoncé has many founders, owners and entrepreneurs of colour jumping for joy after including them in her directory of Black-owned businesses.

In addition to releasing a new song, Black Parade, on Juneteenth, her website was also updated to feature an organized list curated by her go-to fashion stylist, Zerina Akers.

On Instagram, Akers presented @black.owned.everything and encouraged people to register their business.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Juneteenth was LIT🔥 Step! Step! @beyonce #BlackParade
 
A post shared by  Zerina Akers 🧿 (@zerinaakers) on Jun 20, 2020 at 7:06am PDT
 

On Beyoncé’s website, the list includes Black-owned business across several industries including beauty, fashion, restaurants and more.

One of the businesses featured by Beyoncé was Kai Collective, owned by Nigerian-born designer Fisayo Longe.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 If you haven’t heard already 🐝, we made it to @beyonce’s list of black owned small businesses. #blackparade curated by @zerinaakers with @black.owned.everything, on beyonce.com.
 
A post shared by  KAI (@kaicollective) on Jun 21, 2020 at 12:16pm PDT
 

Another wellness platform, Black Girl in Om, celebrated by thanking Akers and Beyoncé with heartwarming words. “We appreciate this powerful affirmation of Black women standing firm in our power and our healing; in our elevation and our expansion,” the company captioned the post.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Thank you @Beyonce for acknowledging us in your Black Parade Route. We’re apart of the beautiful directory of black owned businesses created and curated by Zerina Akers (@zerinaakers) of @black.owned.everything — and we’re in amazing company. We appreciate this powerful affirmation of black women standing firm in our power and our healing — in our elevation and our expansion. We are grateful to our day one supporters and to all those who have joined us along the journey. When Queen Bey acknowledges you, know you are indeed a reflection of that sovereignty. ⁣ ⁣ We’re nearly ready to exhale and release the most transformational experiences to come within The Circle, our podcast (yes — Season five is almost here), our online publication and more. This year is our healing revolution. Plug in, stay inspired with us, and our work by visiting our website 👉🏾 www.blackgirlinom.com. ⁣ ⁣ Drop a 🐝 👸🏾 if you’re committed to deep healing with us this year and beyond. ⁣ ⁣ Photo by Taylor S. Hunter (@goldentimetay) ⁣ BGIO Muses: Simi (@simimoonlight) Kimberly J. (@kimberlyjofficial) ⁣ MUA: Tolu (@goldfacedartistry)⁣ Stylist + Producer: Alexandra Ofori-Atta (@zzsophistafunk) ⁣ Set Design: Nia Reneé (@createslowkey) ⁣ Producer: Lauren Ash (@hellolaurenash) ⁣ ⁣ #BlackGirlInOm #BGIO #BlackParade #BGIOTheCircle
 
A post shared by  Black Girl In Om (@blackgirlinom) on Jun 20, 2020 at 8:46pm PDT
 

The caption continued, “When Queen Bey acknowledges you, know you are indeed a reflection of that sovereignty. “

Along with the news of the Black Parade song, Beyoncé announced that proceeds from the song would benefit BeyGOOD’s Black Business Impact Fund; and that the National Urban League would administer the funds to support Black-owned small businesses in need.

Following the global movement for social justice, many people have been finding ways to stand in solitude. Supporting Black-owned businesses is one of many ways to do so during this revolutionary time.