Black Lives Matter and Sustainability September 21, 2020

As someone who is living in America, life is quite overwhelming. We are still in the middle of a pandemic, fighting for racial justice, and of course the climate crisis hasn’t gone away. But I recognize my privilege as a healthy, white person who is not an essential worker. I have been focusing my energy on both making art and fighting for the Black Lives Matter movement and less on my regular climate crisis fight. 

Here are some black owned sustainable companies 

• Aya Paper Co. https://ayapaper.co/- Stationary 
  
• Goodee https://www.goodeeworld.com/ - Marketplace for homegoods and lifestyle 
  
• Closed Coven https://closedcoven.com/ - Witch shop
  
• SK+N Muse https://sknmuse.com/ - Body and skin care
  
• Brother Vellies https://brothervellies.com/ - Makes shoes, handbags, and belts 
  
• Galerie.LA https://galerie.la/  - sustainable fashion from brands worldwide
  
• Two Days Off https://www.twodaysoff.com/ - sustainable fashion that is made to order or limited edition 
  
• Hanahana beauty https://hanahanabeauty.com/  - all-natural skincare
  
• Local European https://localeuropean.com/  - sustainable fashion using deadstock 
  
• Andrea Bonelli Jewelry https://www.andreabonelli.com/  - Jewelry made with  recycled material and ethically sourced stones
  
• Hamilton Perkins Collection https://hamiltonperkins.com/ - Bags made from pineapple leaf fiber, plastic water bottles and billboard vinyls 
  
• Born Indigo https://bornindigo.com/  - Non-toxic sustainable coconut wax candles 
  
• Jane Dottie Vintage https://www.janedottie.com/  - Hand picked second hand vintage clothes 
  
• Sami Miro Vintage https://samimirovintage.com/ - Up-cycled and vintage fabric clothing 
  
• BLK MKT Vintage https://www.blkmktvintage.com/ - Vintage and concept shop focusing on the representation of Black history 
  
• Washington Ave https://shopwashingtonave.com/ - Vintage clothes
  
•  Retro Rhapsody https://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroRhapsody? - Vintage clothing and jewelry etsy shop 
  
• Subrina Heyink Vintage https://www.subrinaheyinkvintage.com/ - Vintage clothes 
  
• NXC Vintage shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/nxcvintageshop/ - Vintage clothes etsy shop 
  
• Reel Paper https://reelpaper.com/  - Bamboo toilet paper 
  
• BLK + GRN https://blkgrn.com/ - non-toxic and natural marketplace 
  
• Zero https://zerogrocery.com/ - zero-waste grocery delivery service 
  
• Ruby Love https://www.rubylove.com/ - period underwear
  
• Oui The People https://www.ouithepeople.com/ - Shaving needs
  
• Candlessentials https://www.candlessentials.com/collections/shop -Coconut wax candles in plantable packaging 
  
• Jungalow https://www.jungalow.com/ - Home decor and design who plant two trees every purchase 
  
• Pur-Home https://pur-home.com/ - Laundry detergent and household cleaning supplies 
  
• Sancho’s https://sanchosshop.com/ - Clothing and home goods 
  
• Arlokea https://arlokea.com/ -Jewelry  
  
• Breedlove Beauty Co. https://breedlovebeautyco.com/ - Handmade natural hair and skin care
  
• Stock Steady Supply Cosmetics https://stocksteady.com/  - Natural, small batch skin care products 
  
• Zeme Organics https://www.zemeorganics.co.uk/ - Cosmetics that donate 20% to save the planet
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This is just a list of companies that I have discovered so far. There are absolutely way more black owned and sustainable companies than this. I’m shining a light on a few because we should use whatever platform we may have to raise the voices of black owned companies, especially ones that want to take care of our planet and, in return, our health. So maybe one of these companies will be exactly what you have been looking for. I know that while researching them I have found some really cool resources for myself. One thing I do want to say is, it is important to support the BIPOC people that you already know, like your friends with small businesses. 


As for my art practice I have been creating art on cardboard to both repurpose the material and to tip my hat at how protest signs are usually on cardboard. You can see these pieces on my website. As we talk about how to be more sustainable we can’t forget that the climate crisis affects BIPOC communities disproportionately to other communities.Before zero waste and sustainable tactics became a trendy and cool thing to do, they were being practiced by BIPOC communities. Being plant-based isn’t a new concept, reusing what you have isn’t a new concept, using natural materials isn’t a new concept. 


Here are some articles that explain how environmental justice and social justice go hand in hand. 
https://www.naacp.org/issues/environmental-justice/ 

https://www.greenamerica.org/climate-justice-all/people-color-are-front-lines-climate-crisis 

https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/race-and-climate-change/