HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Valentine's Day is coming! So I guess it's time to spend money on those we love. Why not show that love in a way that economically empowers the communities you love, too? Here are a few of my personal favs, and some tips on how we celebrate Valentine’s Day in The Empowerment Experiment (EE). EE is my family’s historic yearlong stand and study only supporting Black businesses and professionals and buying only Black made products for an entire year… and the movement it is inspiring. 

Do what I do! My husband and I support quality Black businesses providing luxurious spas and B & B getaways, flowers, bath and body products, cosmetics, gifts for little girls, wine and spirits.  Please see below for my gift ideas, favs, and resources for you... DELIVERED WITH LOVE!

Love, Maggie Anderson

1. If you are going out to eat for Valentine's Day, how about choosing a Black-owned restaurant? 

2. If you are buying flowers, try to find and support your local Black-owned flower shop. 

3. Buy your sweetie a gorgeous designer purse or clutch from my sister, Alexandria Ali, at F&W Style!

4. If you are going to go all-out, why not spend a night or two at a Black-owned B&B or hotel? My fav B&B and hotel are Six Acres in Cincinnati and the new, ultra-lush boutique hotel in  Downtown Miami, the Dunns Josephine Hotel both owned by the Kristin Kitchen, sophisticated style, soul, and service all the way! 

5. And you can get your V-day cards from Black firms too!  I love Black Elegance for online and mailed cards. Check out this list of Black owned stationery companies. 

6. How about treating your wife or girlfriend to a spa day at a Black-owned spa? Get a gift certificate! In Chicago, I just love Veola’s.  Full service. FANTASTIC service too!

7. An easy and empowering gift is an account at a Black-owned bank for your loved one or college-bound youth! Here is a great list of Black owned banks I found for you!

8. You gotta get sweets for ya sweetie! Some of my go-to's... Chocolate Secrets (handcrafted gourmet chocolates),  Irresistible Pound Cakes by famed pastry chef, Tracey West, Noire Boutique (gift baskets of Black owned products!) Partake Foods (chocolate chip cookies, allergen free, backed by Jay Z, available at Target).

8. You can give the women in your life Black-made make-up or fragrances. I love LAMIK (Love And Makeup In Kindness) Cosmetics, out of Houston.  Shop Black Opal, Iman, and Fashion Fair  cosmetics on their sites and at most mass retailers. Sean John's Unforgivable (I wear this fragrance everyday!) is available EVERYWHERE! ShoppeBlack put this list of Black Owned Fragrance and Cologne companies together just for us! FUBU!

9. Stop by your local Black-owned bookstore. You can find lots of cultural gifts, frames, cards, candles, etc. My local favorite is Afriware Cultural Books and Gifts, owned by one of my best friends and businesses from our historic year living off Black owned businesses, Nzingha Nommo.

10. Staying in?  Celebrate with Black-made wines and spirits. In my house, we love Heritage Link Brands wines (Black-made African wines, McBride Sisters wines, Savile' Rum Cocktails and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. In Chicago, you can find all these and more Black-made wines and spirits at Kimbark Beverage Shoppe, our liquor store in Chicagoland, owned by a giving, committed, brilliant entrepreneur, and our next US Congressman, Jonathan Swain. 

11. How about something for your daughter? Pretty Brown Girl apparel offers the cutest empowerment gear for girls of color! https://prettybrowngirl.com/

BANKS – bankblackusa.org/banks

BANKS – blackoutcoalition.org/black-u-s-banks/

BLACK WOMAN OWNED – https://www.buyfromablackwomandirectory.org/

ETSY – https://www.etsy.com/featured/blackownedshops

FLORISTS – https://www.supportblackowned.com/category/292-florist

FRAGRANCES – https://www.byrdie.com/black-owned-fragrances-5074978

GREETING CARDS – https://sendpartandparcel.com/blogs/news/black-owned-greeting-card-companies-to-support

HAIR CARE – BLACK OWNED HAIR CARE CHALLENGE – Maggie’s educational and empowerment campaign to bring the Black hair care industry back to the Black community. I’ve aggregated all the best lists! Hundreds of Black owned hair care companies! – blackownedhaircarechallenge.com 

HOME DÉCOR – https://www.marthastewart.com/7840712/black-owned-home-decor-textile-businesses

HOTELS and B&Bs – Natl Assoc of Black Hotel Owners Operators & Developers – nabhood.net

MAGGIE’S BOOK (buy my book, learn about/ support The Empowerment Experiment Foundation and Movement, get tour updates, book me to speak) – ourblackyear.com OR authormaggieanderson.com

RESTAURANT LISTS 

NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, ALCOHOLIC BRANDS AND OTHER RESOURCES. Fantastic site, includes many upscale, updated businesses and resources – https://imbibemagazine.com/resources-for-supporting-black-beverage-professionals-and-black-owned-businesses/

OPEN TABLE – The largest online restaurant directory is creating a list of Black owned restaurants. Growing everyday. https://blog.opentable.com/2020/black-owned-restaurants-united-states/

PURSES – F & W Style – https://www.fwstyle.com/

RESTAURANTS – YELP – Yelp collected the Black owned restaurants across the country with the highest reviews. Growing everyday. https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/black-owned-business-to-watch-yelp

ATLANTA RESTAURANTS – https://www.atlantaeats.com/blog/29-black-owned-restaurants-in-atlanta/

BALTIMORE RESTAURANTS – https://www.willdrinkfortravel.com/posts/black-owned-restaurants-you-need-to-visit-in-baltimore

BAY AREA RESTAURANTS – A list of lists of Black owned restaurants! Broken down by area, cuisine, organizations, etc. Awesome! – https://sf.eater.com/2020/6/4/21280530/black-owned-restaurants-san-francisco-oakland-east-bay

BOSTON RESTAURANTS – https://www.boston.com/food/restaurants/2020/06/02/black-owned-restaurants-in-boston

CHICAGO RESTAURANTS – https://secretchicago.com/black-owned-restaurants-chicago/

DC/ MD/ VA RESTAURANTS – https://www.feedthemalik.com/restaurant-directory

HOUSTON RESTAURANTS–https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/dining/here-are-more-than-50-black-owned-houston-15311508

LOS ANGELES RESTAURANTS – https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-05-31/black-owned-restaurants-in-los-angeles

MIAMI RESTAURANTS – https://www.theinfatuation.com/miami/features/miami-black-owned-restaurants

NYC RESTAURANTS – https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/features/support-nyc-black-owned-restaurants