Shopping

Supporting Ethnically Owned Marketplaces: The Alternative to Amazon

In today’s digital shopping landscape, Amazon dominates as the go-to platform for consumers worldwide. However, as more people seek to support small businesses and minority entrepreneurs, the demand for ethnically owned alternatives has grown. While there isn’t a single giant that rivals Amazon, several online marketplaces highlight and uplift businesses owned by Black, Latino, and other underrepresented entrepreneurs. If you’re looking to spend your dollars in a way that directly supports these communities, here are some standout platforms to explore.

Black-Owned Marketplaces

HellaBlack

HellaBlack is a community-driven marketplace that features a diverse range of products from Black-owned businesses. From fashion to electronics, HellaBlack offers a seamless shopping experience that allows consumers to support Black entrepreneurs while finding unique, high-quality items. (hellablack.com)

WeBuyBlack

Touted as “the Black Amazon,” WeBuyBlack is more than just an e-commerce site—it’s a movement. The platform connects consumers with thousands of Black-owned businesses and advocates for economic empowerment within the Black community. Whether you’re looking for household goods, fashion, or health products, WeBuyBlack provides an excellent alternative. (afrotech.com)

Black Owned Everything

What started as an Instagram movement has grown into a full-fledged e-commerce site, offering a curated collection of Black-owned brands. Black Owned Everything aims to create long-term participation for Black entrepreneurs in the e-commerce space, making it easier for consumers to find and support these businesses.

Latina/Latino-Owned Marketplaces

The Mujerista Marketplace

This vibrant platform is dedicated to supporting Latina entrepreneurs by showcasing products ranging from fashion and home decor to wellness and beauty. The Mujerista Marketplace creates a space where consumers can shop for culturally inspired goods while helping to uplift Latina-owned brands. (themujerista.com)

JZD

Founded in Texas, JZD is a Latina-owned brand known for its empowering and culturally relevant designs, including graphic tees and accessories that celebrate Latinx heritage. Their online store has gained popularity for its vibrant messaging and strong advocacy for community representation. (designbybrianna.com)

Inclusive Beauty Platforms

Thirteen Lune

Thirteen Lune is an inclusive beauty platform that highlights skincare, makeup, hair care, and wellness brands founded by Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional beauty retailers, Thirteen Lune’s mission is to amplify diverse voices in the beauty industry while offering high-quality, innovative products. (en.wikipedia.org)

Why Supporting Ethnically Owned Marketplaces Matters

Shopping from these platforms not only diversifies your purchasing habits but also helps build economic equity in communities that have historically faced barriers to business success. By choosing to buy from Black-owned, Latino-owned, and minority-owned businesses, you contribute to job creation, generational wealth, and cultural preservation.

While Amazon remains a retail juggernaut, these ethnically owned alternatives provide consumers with a way to make their shopping more intentional and impactful. So the next time you shop online, consider where your money is going and how it can support businesses that reflect the rich diversity of our world.

5 Must Have Items For Your Home

1) Echo Show 10

For many people all over the world, communicating with friends and family is right in the palm of their hands with their phones. I love my phone. I think I take it everywhere and I am not sure how good of a thing that is but I do it anyway. One day, I ran into a dilemma. My charger broke and my phone was dying. I had to make a call to my mother to ask a question. Now, my first thought was to run to my car and charge my phone while I talk to my mom. But, at the corner of my eye was this nice size screen staring back at me. The Echo Show 10. I bought this because I am a techie and I just wanted something new and fancy in my room that gave me the weather on command (and could show all of my home camera views). Well, it can also make video calls (while following me around) and surely this became a new essential to life when communicating with my parents and various family members..

2) Fire TV Stick 4k

The Firestick has become the staple of TV entertainment for many homes in the U.S.. People often look at you funny if you do not have one in your home with all kinds of installed Movie Apps. No matter the reason, I can tell you for a fact that the Fire TV Stick 4k is a must have for 1 specific reason: The Remote. The Remote, now, has volume control buttons that are straight from heaven. The convenience of not having to use another remote just to turn the volume up or down is worth the cost for an upgrade.

3) Holmes Desktop HEPA-Type , 3 Speeds plus Optional Ionizer small Air Purifier

The Holmes Desktop Air Purifier has single handedly changed everything about the air quality in my home. Now, some may say well if you just change out your homes air filer with a REALLY high quality filter then you will have really good air quality in your home. I would agree with that statement 100% but those air filters cant catch everything, especially if your like me with open windows everywhere. The Holmes Desktop provides an additional layer of air filtration that has gotten rid of my seasonal allergies and sleepless nights due to allergy related issues. I have one that sits on my night stand and is ON most of the day (yes, that might be slight over kill but I will live with the consequences of a slightly higher electric bill by $2-$3). Its worth every penny and I change out the filters once every two months (FYI). Give it a try, it will not disappoint.

4) USB Rechargeable Motion Sensor LED Lighting Wireless Stick

There are times in life where the little things matter the most. I can’t tell you how many times I get up from my sleep at night and go wondering for various things or taking certain mandatory actions (if you get my drift). The LED Closet light has made these nightly tasks pleasantly wonderful because I no longer have to turn on a SUPER BRIGHT room light or lamp. I simply get up and as I move from room to room, these bad boys turn on and guide me along my path. I will admit, positioning is everything but in the right position, the lights are subtle and mood setting. I cant image life without them.

5) Amazon Basics 15-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper

The Amazon Basic Shredder might not be in someone else’s top 5 but between junk mail, old documents, new documents, bills and more, I find myself using this at-least once a day. Yes, I said it. Once a day. There isn’t much more that I can say about this marvelous machine but I will keep going. The thought of removing clutter from my life brings me joy. The thought of secure documents no longer existing in paper form produces a smile that cannot be replicated by simply sticking old documents in a file cabinet. Not having a big clunky file cabinets taking up 1/3 of my office is where this Cross Cut Paper Shredder swoops in the to save the day. I can’t speak for everyone but this is definitely a must have in your home for 2021.