These are unprecedented times we are living in; as the year progresses, a series of pivotal events have shown to define what may be the beginning of a new chapter in our society’s journey to equal rights. Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed the mass recognition of a pandemic that has been present long before the Coronavirus, racism. Through the likes of social media and several other outlets, we have seen an outpour of love and support for a community whose need for justice is long overdue. As the movement against racism continues, there are several critical roles we can all partake in to ensure that we play a sustainable role in uplifting and supporting black communities.
Every time you make a purchase, you are voting with your dollar. No matter how big or small, your purchases demonstrate who you support. When you support black-owned businesses, you choose to support the communities of these individuals. As consumers, we are responsible for putting a stop to the systemic racism put in place by major institutions. Supporting black-owned businesses uplifts the affected communities and celebrates the diversity that invigorates Toronto. When you decide to support marginalized communities by voting with your dollar, the effects can be instrumental in breaking the systemic racism pattern. The following is a list of black-owned businesses you can support, that are Canadian-GTA based.
Black-Owned Beauty Businesses
- MFMG Cosmetics
Shop at: makeupformelaningirls.com Instagram: @mfmgcosmetics
- Tribal Eye
Shop at: tribaleye.net Instagram: @tribaleyetoronto
- All-Star Beuty Complex
Shop at: allstarbeauty.ca Instagram: @allstarbeautyca
- The Green Jar
Shop at: thegreenjarshop.com Instagram: @thegreenjarshop
- Lala Skin Essentials
Shop at: lalaskinessentials.com Instagram: @lalaskinessentials
- Mama’s Life Products
Shop at: mamaslifeproducts.com Instagram: @mamaslifeproducts
- Paba Cosmetics
Shop at: paba-cosmetics.myshopify.com Instagram: @pabacosmetics
- Beauty By Dom
Shop at: beautybydom.com Instagram: @beautybyydom
- London Ivy Products
Shop at: londonivyproducts.ca Instagram: @londonivyproducts
- Essentials By Temi
Shop at: essentialsbytemi.com Instagram: @essentialsbytemi
Black-Owned Retail Businesses
- AWAV Shop at: www.awav.ca
Instagram: @awavlifestyle
- DIRTY BUTTER
Shop at: drtybttr.com Instagram: @drtybttr 3. Exclucity Shop at: shop.exclucitylife.com
Instagram: @exclucity
- Clarendon Trading Company
Shop at: etsy.com/ca/shop/ClarendonTradingCo Instagram: @claredonco
- Kaela Kay Shop at: kaelakay.com
Instagram: @kaelakayonline
- Get Fresh Company
Shop at: gfctoronto.com
Instagram: @getfreshcompany
- Adrift
Shop at: adriftshop.com Instagram: @adriftshop
8. TAKEUPSPACE
Shop at: takeupspace.co Instagram: @shoptakeupspace
- SnapBack Tiara
Shop at: snapbacktiara.com Instagram: @snapbacktiara
- Blue
Shop at: mycoatisblue.com Instagram: @mycoatisblue
Black-Owned Restaurants & Food Products
- Ital Vital Location: Scarborough
Website: italvitaltoronto.ca Instagram: @italvital.rasta
- Veggie D’Light
Location: Kensington Market Website: veggiedlight.com Instagram: @chefpeterveggiedlight
- Nerpy’s Location(s): nerpys.com/vendors-1
Website: nerpys.com Instagram: @nerpysinc
- Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant
Location: Danforth (Greenwood & Coxwell) Website: lalibelacuisine.com
- Xawaash Location: Etobicoke
Website: xawaashrestaurant.com Instagram: @xawaash
- Albert’s Real Jamaican Foods
Location: St. Clair & Bathurst Website: albertsrealjamaican.ca
- Kaspace Cafe
Location: Queen East Website: kaspacecafe.com Instagram: @kaspace_cafe
- Beach Hill Smokehouse
Location: Gerrard East Website: beachhillsmokehouse.com Instagram: @beachhillbq
- True True Diner
Location: King East Website: truetruediner.com Instagram: @truetruediner
- Roux
Location: Dundas West Website: rouxstir.ca Instagram: @rouxtoronto
If you are interested in receiving further education on the issue at hand, the following links will direct you to sites that can expand your understanding of the severity of the issue.
Grass Roots Law Project: grassrootslaw.org
Black Lives Matter: blacklivesmatter.com/about
Defending Black Lives: defendingblacklives.org/how-to