Supporting Black Business Month at Your Local Target
Written by Kaylee Morgan
Everyone loves Target.Â
Everyone knows the pure joy of stepping into Target and the challenge it is to leave with ONLY the items on your list. Well since August is Black Business Month, I thought it would be cool to walk you through how you can support Black Businesses during your next trip to Target. So grab your cart and let’s go shopping.Â
WALKING-IN
First things first, we are going to grab us a Starbucks drink, because it’s not a Target trip without one. While we are waiting for our drinks, let me brag on Target a little bit. Back in April of 2021 Target committed to spending $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by 2025. Their goal was to create more equitable and welcoming experiences for their Black guests, and use the full impact of their company’s size, scale, and resources to create economic opportunity for Black-owned businesses not only at Target but beyond. What’s really cool is as of May 2022, they are right on track to completing their goal. Compared to 2020, they’ve increased the amount of money they’ve spent with Black-owned companies and suppliers by more than 50%, and they’ve doubled the number of Black-owned brands across our assortment to more than 100. You can learn more about their commitment to support Black businesses and track their progress here.Â
Now that we have our drinks, I want to walk us through the aisles and show you my favorite Target items that just so happen to come from Black businesses.Â
Personal Care/Beauty
As a Black woman, I can count on Target to supply me with most of the hair products that I need. Shampoo, conditioner, oils, and combs are all designed and created for my hair texture and curl pattern. Black women have different ways of taking care of their hair than other races, meaning we need different types of products.Â
That seems to be a universal thing that most stores take into account. But not only is our hair different, but our skin, specifically the color, is different. You might be thinking I’m stating the obvious, but I’m being so serious.Â
It’s the summertime and I love being outside and by the water, but my skin doesn’t. I’m one of those girls who has to buy SPF 50+ or I will literally die without it. I promise I’m not exaggerating. But most sunscreens leave me with this white cast over my skin, making me look like a fool. That is why I would like to point out that Target carries the brand Black Girl Sunscreen. A sunscreen infused with natural ingredients and formulated for women of color. This has been my absolute favorite Target find and trust me, if you’re a woman of color, I highly suggest trying this out.Â
Before we leave this section, let’s go ahead and grab some bath bombs because we believe in self-care. My personal favorite is The Honey Pot lavender bath bomb. If scented things are not your favorite but still want to be able to relax, The Honey Pot has fragrance-free bath bombs. The fragrance-free bath bombs are a great choice for those with sensitive skin. You’ll notice The Honey Pot brand throughout the personal care/beauty section as they provide products for all your menstrual needs.
Toys
I personally don’t have children so there isn’t much I can recommend in this department. However, there are many cute and adorable dolls that I wish existed when I was a child, along with children’s books that I may or may not have purchased as an adult. So to make sure we aren’t spending all day in Target, I’m going to link the 88 Black-owned products Target carries.
Groceries
If we are not careful, we will spend our entire Target allowance in this section of the store. So stay close and good luck.
First thing is first…coffee. BLK & BOLD is an incredible Black-owned coffee brand. One of my favorite things about them, besides the taste, is that the brand pledges 5% of its profits to nonprofit organizations nationwide that are dedicated to giving America’s children-in-need what is necessary to be the best versions of themselves.Â
As someone who at one point in their life was on a strict gluten-free diet, I know the struggle of finding gluten-free products that actually taste good. Partake Foods has you covered. Their chocolate chip cookies are so good that while I no longer am bound to a gluten-free diet, I still throw these in my cart every now and again.Â
Check-out
Now, let it be known that these are just a few of my favorite Black-owned items. There are hundreds more available online. You can see the list here.Â
Thanks for walking through Target with me.Â
What I hope you gained from this article is this: Supporting Black businesses can be as easy as visiting your local Target. You don’t have to look far, you can do it in the places and the spaces you already frequent. Let’s make it a point to support Black businesses this month and in the months to come.Â
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