If there’s one thing the food industry can’t deny, it’s the power of consumers’ dollars. As we celebrate the history, achievements, and influence of the Black community during Black History Month—and throughout the year—we are reminded of the importance of supporting entrepreneurs from diverse cultures and backgrounds. By doing so, not only are we investing in the product but we’re also championing inclusivity within the industry. This month is an opportunity to uplift Black entrepreneurs and businesses, increase awareness of their brands, and advocate for change.
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Vegan Black-owned businesses on the rise
According to Forbes, in 2020, an estimated 3.12 million Black-owned businesses were operating in the US. Collectively, these businesses employed nearly 3.6 million workers and generated $206 billion in revenue. Such success, the publication notes, does not come without its challenges. Black business owners reported dealing with racism and biases that ultimately threaten their success.
If you aren’t already, Black History Month is a good time to begin actively seeking out Black-owned businesses and brands and supporting them with our dollars as part of the Buy Black Movement.
In fact, when it comes to veganism, Black people are leading the charge when it comes to reducing the consumption of animal products. Additionally, Black hip-hop artists and other celebs are leading the way by investing in businesses that align with their meatless lifestyles.
Beyoncé, for example, co-founded the vegan meal delivery brand 22 Day Nutrition—that has since expanded to a meal-planning app—with vegan nutritionist Marco Borges, following her own experience with Borges’ 22 Day Nutrition challenge, in which she and husband Jay-Z ate a plant-based diet for three weeks.
Jay-Z has also invested in vegan brands such as Partake Foods and Impossible Foods through his venture capital firm. Musician Jaden Smith, son of celebrity couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, launched the vegan food truck I Love You Restaurant which serves free food to the homeless. And world champion race car driver Lewis Hamilton—who often uses his platform to advocate for animal welfare and veganism—opened vegan burger restaurant Neat Burger in London with plans to expand globally.
To honor and support the growing list of vegan Black-owned businesses, we’ve rounded up a few you can order from that ship nationwide.
Vegan Black-owned food brands
A Dozen Cousins
1 A Dozen Cousins
These slow-cooked, ready-to-eat beans make use of one of our favorite plant proteins. Inspired by Black and Latino recipes, they come in flavors such as Cuban Black Beans, Trini Chickpea Curry, and Mexican Pinto Beans, as well as classic refried beans. Plus, because many Americans in underserved communities don’t have access to healthy food, A Dozen Cousins provides an annual grant and volunteer support to nonprofits working to eliminate socio-economic health disparities in the country. In 2023, for example, it supported Kindred Space LA, a Los Angeles-based, Black-owned birthing center that strives to address maternal and infant health disparities.
Find it here
Choose Life Foods
2 Choose Life Foods
These vegan Jamaican patties were born out of a desire to veganize the authentic patties founder Carolyn Simon—who is referred to as the company’s “Patty Queen”—ate growing up. The delicious flavors include Spicy Beefless Lover’s, Mild Beefless Lover’s, Coconut Kale Delight, Caribbean Curry Delight, and Chick’n Lover’s Patty.
find it here
Coco Luv Vegan Cookies
3 Coco Luv Vegan Cookies
Though this Los Angeles-based, family-owned company calls itself a cookie company, there’s far more on the menu. From cookie pies and cupcakes to entire Oreo cakes, you’ll have a hard time choosing what to order. Know someone who has a birthday this month? Get the cinnamon roll cake with sprinkles delivered to their door.
find it here
Major Project Pop
4 Major’s Project Pop
A fresh vegan take on kettle corn, Major’s Project Pop makes its main product in small batches and keeps it real with simple ingredients—namely, virgin coconut oil, vegan cane sugar, and Himalayan salt. With its People Over Profit Popcorn, the company gives back to its community by supporting non-profit initiatives that “advocate for education and fight against hunger.”
find it here
Good Girl Chocolate
5 Good Girl Chocolate
Dr. Tabatha Carr created Good Girl Chocolate in an effort to support her healthy lifestyle—and her sweet tooth. The good-for-you product line ranges from vegan milk chocolate to caramel cake truffles. Plus, five percent of sales go towards supporting underprivileged children living in Haitian orphanages.
find it here
Golde
6 Golde
This small but mighty Brooklyn, NY-based business launched with a single product—Original Turmeric Latte Blend—and has since expanded to other superfood essentials from face masks to drink mixes.
find it here
Hella Nuts
7 Hella Nuts
This plant-based eatery has created a patent-pending vegan ground meat made from walnuts. We’re already making a list of dishes to make with it, starting with tacos, shepherd’s pie, and stuffed bell peppers.
find it here
Houston Sauce Co.
8 Houston Sauce Co.
This popular sauce company specializes in delicious hot sauces. Check out its online store, where you can order sauces like salsa verde, and get them shipped straight to your door.
find it here
Maya’s Cookies
9
Maya’s Cookies
This beloved vegan bakery now has two storefronts in San Diego and San Marcos, CA, but it also sells its handmade gourmet cookies online, at farmers’ markets, and in select retailers. We especially love Maya’s Black History Month cookie collection in honor of prominent figures in the Black community. In 2024, the collection will be dedicated to Black athletes “breaking barriers and pushing for more inclusion both on and off the field.”
find it here
Whipped Urban Dessert Lab
10 Oaté Ice Crème
From the founders of New York-based Whipped Urban Dessert Lab comes Oaté, a line of “ice crème” pints available for nationwide shipping through Goldbelly. Founded by sisters Courtney Blagrove and Zan B.R., Whipped Urban Dessert Lab made headlines for being the first ice cream shop to make oat milk soft serve. Can’t justify flying to New York for a creamy swirled cone? Oaté pints are sure to satisfy all sweet tooth cravings.
find it here
Southern Roots
11 Southern Roots
This San Antonio, TX-based online bakery recreates Southern classics with a vegan twist—from volcano cakes and brownies to create-your-own ice cream packs. Husband-and-wife team Marcus and Cara Pitts launched the bakery in 2018 after watching the documentary What the Health, which inspired them to go vegan.
find it here
Symphony Potato Chips
12 Symphony Potato Chips
A gourmet potato chip company, Symphony Potato Chips was born after chef and founder Andre’ Anderson created a 28-herb-and-spice blend and began using it on homemade potato chips. Since then, the brand has expanded to other flavored chips, from balsamic to smoked. The family-owned company also aims to empower its community by providing employment and employment training through its own nonprofit, Symphony Crumbs.
find it here
The No Cookie
13 The No Cookie
Family-owned and operated since 1978, The No Bakery creates and sells vegan cookies in classic flavors such as chocolate chip, ginger spice, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter. Operating from Oakland, CA, the No Cookies are available in health and natural food stores nationwide and can also be ordered online.
find it here
Way to Life Foods
14 Way to Life Foods
This family-owned vegan food company aims to provide healthful products for its customers across the country. Though Way to Life Foods started with granola—which is available in flavors such as Banana, Strawberry, Ginger, and Peanut Butter—it has since expanded to cinnamon rolls, energy bars, and even vegan burger patties.
find it here
For more on Black-owned brands, read:
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
