As protests continue across the country, many Americans are looking for ways to help support the Black Lives Matter movement any way they can.
While protesting and calling your local officials are valid approaches to fighting racial inequality, it's equally as important to put your money where your mouth is. Are you even aware of the black owned businesses in your area? Have you supported them recently? It's more important than ever to support black entrepreneurs, so to aid in your search, we've compiled a list of apps that make it easier than ever to discover local, black-owned businesses.
Black Nation
Launched in 2018 by Rameish Budhoo, Black Nation is a thorough database that lists black-owned businesses free of charge. The app makes it easy to find a company that matches your needs as a consumer to create both local and national visibility for POC entrepreneurs. Log on and search for whatever you need, and it will link you to dozens of businesses in your area that meet your guidelines.
eatOkra
Black-owned restaurants have been hit especially hard thanks to the current pandemic, but eatOkra aims to help. Founded in 2016 by Anthony Edwards and Janique Bradley, eatOkra is the go-to directory for black-owned restaurants. It features over 2,500 restaurants across the U.S. Just put in your location and search your desired cuisine, and the app will match you with dozens of results. You can even order delivery, and the app includes GPS directions in case you need to hop in a car. Personal recommendations for additions to eatOkra are also encouraged.
Official Black Wall Street
Official Black Wall Street offers over 5,000 black-owned businesses across 10 different countries, making it the most extensive directory app for businesses by people of color. Black business owners create a listing through the app, and consumers can leave reviews, and access photos and exclusive offers through Official Black Wall Street. Started in 2014, the app was developed to help consumers invest more in black-owned businesses, as it says on their website: "only 2% of [Black Americans] $1.1 trillion buying power is invested into black businesses."
Black-Owned Brooklyn
Explicitly curated for Brooklyn, Black-Owned Brooklyn is exactly what it sounds like. It's a digital publication that offers great resources for New Yorkers wishing to support black businesses. The publication includes write-ups for featured companies in food and drink, home and design, style and beauty, health and wellness, and even history and culture. It also updates regularly with new additions, and seeks to focus on businesses not part of the gentrified suburb, but rather businesses that have been in place for years.
WhereU Came From
Using crowd-sourced listings and referrals, 2016's WhereU Came From is an app designed to help you discover local black-owned businesses. Both an app and a website, WhereU Came From offers in-depth search functionalities that project real-time leaderboards of companies across categories and are ranked by customers and peers who have used the services.
While Cinco de Mayo would usually mean colorful parades, a copious amount of drinking, and enjoying the fresh spring time air with your buddies, May 5th is unfortunately going to have to be celebrated indoors for a majority of Americans. Luckily, Mexican restaurants everywhere are determined to celebrate the day of Mexican independence regardless of quarantine. Across the country, restaurants both big and small are offering amazing deals to keep the party rolling. Here are some of the best deals you're gonna get tomorrow.
Taco Bell
The fast food chain has just launched its new At Home Taco Bar campaign in an effort to satisfying your Locos Tacos addiction, and on Cinco de Mayo they're upping the ante. For tomorrow only, their best offer serves six people and includes 8 flour tortillas, 12 Crunchy Taco shells, and 6 oz. of nacho chips. But what would tacos be without toppings? The order additionally includes a toppings bar with shredded lettuce, refried beans, nacho cheese sauce, cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream and their signature Hot Sauce packets. While they can't legally deliver liquor to your door, Taco Bell's "Taco Bar" also offers a series of recipe cards that provide instructions on how to make trendy cocktails. At only $25, this is the best bang for your buck if you're strapped for cash.
Chipotle
The other Mexican fast food chain has another amazing deal for those strapped for cash. With the purchase of any entree on May 5, the insanely popular chain will include a free Queso Blanco dish, with free delivery to boot.
Bartaco
The Mexican restaurant is having an "all-day virtual cinco celebration" tomorrow on Instagram. The 24-hour-fiesta will offer a slew of fun activities from cooking demonstrations to a live online yoga class and DJ set. The popular also promises "special surprises along the way."
Price Chopper
The grocery chain is doing a slew of amazing discounts on Cinco de Mayo goods in honor of the beloved holiday. The deals include a $15 chicken meal for four, among other amazing discounts.
Bahama Breeze Island Grille
Bahama Breeze is set to host a Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour Facebook Live event at 5 PM tomorrow. The special event will feature live music from Patrick Simpson, and song requests will be granted to those who chime in. Additionally, customers will be offered a "Happy Hour Bundle" of drinks and a 15% discount order on food and non-alcoholic drinks through the end of May 17.
