15 Black-Owned Small Businesses To Support With Your Stimulus Check
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During episode 39 (“Figuring Out What To Do With Your Stimulus Check”) of Figure Out Your Life podcast, I promised to create a list of black-owned small businesses to support with the one-time payment.
Well, here it is in no particular order.
2. Rachel Stewart Jewelry
SALE: Free Shipping and 25% Off Orders with Code AFRO
4. Eeni Edit
6. JLANI Jewels
7. Kashmir VII
SALE: 25% Off Orders With Code SPRING
8. QUELLYRUE
Free Shipping And A Surprise Gift With Every Order
9. BLK + GRN
11. The Black-Owned Market
SALE: 10% Off Order With Code #BOM10
12. The Shea Shoppe
13. Fitbeads
Buy 2, Get Another Half Off With Code STACKED
14. Gunnar Foshay
15. Hey Dr. Cort!
Let me know if you buy anything. I would love to see how you wisely spent your stimulus money with one (or more) of these great black-owned small business.
How to Leave an Apple Podcast Review
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If you’ve been enjoying the Figure Out Your Life podcast, I would love it if you left a rating and review on iTunes. It really helps more people discover us on Apple Podcasts. Here are 5 simple steps to leave an Apple Podcast review from your mobile device:
Method 1: From the Podcasts app
Step 1. Select the “Podcasts” app on your mobile device to open.
Step 2. Select the “Search” button in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Step 3. Type “Figure Out Your Life” into the search bar, and then tap on the show.
Step 4. Scroll down to “Ratings & Reviews,” and then tap “Write a Review.”
Step 5. Fill out the starts (I love 5 stars!!!) and write in your review, and then click the “Send” button.
Method 2: From the iTunes Store app
Step 1. Select the “iTunes Store” app on your mobile device to open.
Step 2. Select the “Search” button in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Step 3. Type “Figure Out Your Life with Toya T” into the search bar, but don’t tap on any of the podcast episodes. (If you do, the Podcast app will open and you will have to follow the steps in Method 1). Instead, force-press twice on the show under the “Podcasts” section until you are popped into the details page.
Step 4. Tap the “Reviews” tab and then “Write a Review.”
Step 5. Fill out the starts (I love 5 stars!!!) and write in your review, and then click the “Submit” button.
Thank you in advance for your support of Figure Out Your Life with Toya T.
Five Years Ago Today, I Became Dr. LaToya Asantelle Tavernier, PhD
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Picture taken after I successfully presented and defended my doctoral dissertation. With my brother Keion, mother Aunt Florisca, and father. October 27, 2014. Department of Sociology, The Graduate Center-CUNY, New York, NY.
For those interested in my research, here is video from my dissertation defense on Monday, October 27, 2014. My dissertation is titled "On the Midnight Train to Georgia: Afro-Caribbeans and the New Great Migration to Atlanta."
More pictures from the Day!
#BlackBusiness of the Week | "Black" Pin Makers
/Black Business Trend Alert: Pins!!!
Those who know know me, know that I love accessories. Earrings, bags, shoes, bracelets, head bands. I love them all. And now, I love pins.
I first noticed the pin trend several months ago on Instagram (where I discover most of my favorite black businesses). With pins featuring a variety of afrocentric messages (e.g., "black girl magic" and "black & proud") and images (e.g., Michelle Obama and afro-haired women), I had to get some.
The first pin I bought was a
"She's Gotta Have It" brooch (priced at $25) by Rachel Stewart Jewelry
. This solid wood brooch is inspired by the Spike Lee movie of the same name and is F-L-Y. Every time I wear it, I receive tons of compliments about its beauty and questions about where I bought it.
At work wearing my "She's Gotta To Have It" brooch and "Still I Rise" pin.
The past two months I have gone pin crazy. First, I bought a
"Still I Rise" lapel pin (priced at $10) by Radical Dreams
to represent my love for the famous Maya Angelou poem, and then two weeks later, I bought their
kneeling "Colin Kaepernick" lapel pin (priced at $8)
to show my support for the former NFL player and his fight against racial injustice and police brutality against black people in America. I have worn these pins several times this past month to keep me motivated on the days that I feel weary and frustrated with the things happening in this post-Obama world. Most recently, I purchased an
"I'm Judging You" pin (priced at $14) by Pin Vibes LA
. This metal pin is part of a special collection celebrating the release of
I'm Judging You: A Do Better Manual
by Luvvie Ajayi aka
. I love to wear this pin to work (use your imagination on why 😬).
Judgey but motivational with my "I'm Judging You" and "Still I Rise" pins.
I like to make statements with my clothes and accessories. And, anything that allows me to show my love for black culture and black people and be fashionable is a must-have for me. I absolutely LOVE the fact that "black"pins allow me to express my pride, my beliefs, and my mood without having to say a word.
They are great for work and play. You can wear one pin, or a bunch of them, anywhere. Pin them to your jackets, shirts, bags, or hats.
Make a statement with your accessories and check out these black pin makers today.
#BlackBusiness Spotlight | The Wrap Life
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The Wrap Life is one of my most recent black business find gems. I discovered this great black female-owned business on social media. Created by Nnenna Stella in Brooklyn, New York, The Wrap Life is about "cultivating a life abundant with color, texture, and handmade goods," such as handprinted and African head wraps, jewelry, soaps, and incense.
I was specifically attracted to the company for their beautiful head wraps. Lately, I have been enamored with various black women I have seen on Instagram rocking beautiful head wraps twisted into creative and unique styles. So, after I found out about The Wrap Life, I headed immediately to their
.
What I love about The Wrap Life are their wide variety of head wraps, including brightly colored ones with intricate patterns for the bold head wrapper and darkly colored ones with subtle patterns for the less bold or novice head wrapper, and their short YouTube tutorials providing viewers tips and ideas to help them create your own unique wrap styles. I currently follow the company on Instagram and frequently bookmark their tutorial videos, so that I can try them out.
The Wrap Life's head wraps are 100% cotton, handprinted, and (approximately) 22x72 inches. They are moderately priced, ranging from $25 to $27. I purchased their "Fes" head wrap, which has a Moroccan inspired pattern, and I have already rocked it in three different styles, since I received it in about 2 weeks ago.
I love The Wrap Life's head wraps and I recommend you check them out. I am already eyeing one of their African head wraps for my next purchase.
Website: https://thewrap.life
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewraplife
Below, I have posted a picture of a bouffant wrap style I created using one of their YouTube tutorials. Got me feeling confident on those days when my roots are not looking so great.
