Black Owned Businesses in Los Angeles #BlackoutDay2020

Today is Blackout Day 2020, a day where we show love, solidarity and support for the black community by shopping exclusively with black owned businesses. We will be shopping with some of our fave black owned businesses today and hope you will too. If you're in search of businesses to support, below are a few black owned businesses in Los Angeles to check out:

Black Owned Apparel

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Cross Colours: In 1989, Carl Jones and T.J. Walkers launched their streetwear label with a bold color palette inspired by the Pan-African flag. Their motto “clothing without prejudice” was embraced by first by hip hop, then by the world. The founders and the brand are still around — and their message seems more relevant than ever. (It’s also the subject of an ongoing exhibition at the temporarily closed California African American Museum in Exposition Park.) 

Curvy Bombshells: Nicole Rionne started the brand back in September of 2019 with the mantra “embrace your curves.” The made-in-L.A. swimwear brand specializes in women’s swimsuits sizes 14 to 28 and sells exclusively online.

Fear of God: Jerry Lorenzo’s upscale streetwear label has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business including sneaker giant Nike and Italian luxury menswear label Ermenegildo Zegna, to name just two. 

Neon Cowboys: Asia Hall (daughter of designer Kevan Hall, who also appears on this list) is the founder, owner and CEO of this 6-year-old fashion-meets-technology brand that specializes in light-up, western-inspired accessories (think glowing cowboy hats and LED cactus earrings). In response to the pandemic, she recently launched glowing face masks made with fiber-optic fabric. Primarily e-commerce with a small pop-up at her father’s L.A. atelier. 8313 Beverly Blvd., (407) 250-6066, 

Union Los Angeles: Since 1991, Chris Gibbs’ and Beth Birkett’s boutique has been a staple in the streetwear mecca of La Brea Avenue. Today, Union continues to curate the most unique collection of products from brands around the world.

For more black owned apparel brands, check out this list from the Los Angeles Times.

Black Owned Bookstores

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• Malik Books (Baldwin Hills / Crenshaw)
• Reparations Club (Mid-City)
• Shades of Afrika (Long Beach)

For more black owned bookstores, check out this list DoLA put together.

Black Owned Coffee Shops

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• Harun Coffee (Leimert Park)
• Hot and Cool Cafe (Leimert Park)
• Little Amsterdam Coffee Shop (Mid-City)
• Nimbus Coffee (DTLA)
• Obet & Del's (Thai Town)
• Patria Coffee (Compton)
• Silverback Coffee of Rwanda (Boyle Heights)
• Sip & Sonder (Inglewood)
• South LA Cafe (South LA)
• Undergrind (Beverlywood)
• VanillaBlack (Echo Park)

Black Owned Restaurants

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We LOVE this expansive list of nearly 350 black owned restaurants put together by @prosciuttogirl69 (IG) / @provoloned (Twitter). Below are a few black owned restaurants from her list:

• Billionaire Burger Boyz
• B&R's Old-Fashion Burgers
• Cafe Creole BH
• Comfort LA
• Hotville Chicken
• Mr Fries Man
• Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles
• Smakk'D Refreshers & Teas

For more black owned restaurants, check out this list made by @prosciuttogirl69.