As parents, it’s our responsibility to have open conversations with our children about race, provide them with the tools they need to grow up actively anti-racist, and teach them how to use their voice to stand up to injustice in our world. Stocking their bookshelves with reads about Black history and schooling them with educational kids videos that explain racism are important ways to help empower equality in your household and raise your little ones to be active allies to the BLM movement.
Another way to support equality in your home is to educate yourself on how to shop for your children with a purpose. Take a step away from the big-box clothing and toy giants to help support some of the many incredible Black-owned small shops and designers. Below we’re highlighting a few of our favorite handmade brands to put your dollars toward now and forever.
Wild Rich Kids is handmade in Southern California. Mother-of-three Sharea was inspired by her firstborn to make stylish and colorful clothing with comfort as a top priority. These playful, unique pieces are sure to be a staple piece in any child’s wardrobe thanks to their soft, stretchy, and breathable fabrics. And for all you Disney lovers like Kourt, they have your perfect character selections.
The Little Posh Co. is all about fashion and design—each piece is handcrafted with care and attention to detail, so your mini fashionista can effortlessly make a style statement. The owner was inspired by her own daughters, who love to look fabulous while having fun. Her signature waist cape allows your child to imagine herself as a young trendsetter or a soaring superhero. Check out The Little Posh Co. line for your next special occasion or just a whimsical afternoon around the house.
Typical Black Tees is carving the path in the children’s clothing industry with their social change and activism. The owner, Nicole McCrimmon, is not only an entrepreneur and outspoken advocate for her community, but she is also the founder of Brown Babes Rep Too, a group that advocates for diversity and representation in the fashion and apparel industries. Her “Black/Brown Girls Can Do Anything” line draws on Nicole’s own experiences as a child, advocating for children to be whatever they want to be without limitation. Her pieces speak to love, motivation, and the need to have important conversations about race.
This mother-and-daughter team is committed to creating dolls of color that are more relatable and currently vastly under-represented. These beautiful, handmade heirloom dolls represent the type of dolls owners Cynthia and Kathryn wished they had during their childhood. “We are dedicated to creating dolls that reinforce to children of color how important they are, how smart they are, how beautiful they are, and dolls that provide positive affirmation of themselves that they can identify with every day.”
Le Petit Organic is a proud Black-owned company that strives to provide organic and eco-friendly clothing and accessories that are both safe and healthy for your little ones. Their owner, Sanjay Smith, has always fought for representation and diversity within her “shop small” industry. She is often found recreating photoshoots for her online shop for European brands that don’t include children of all different ethnic backgrounds. She is a master of heirloom, vintage-inspired pieces and is currently working on a collaboration of “brown babes hangers.”
Ollie is just 7 years old, but this young activist and entrepreneur is already running his own bath bomb business. You’ll often find him in his fizzy lab whipping up new colorful creations including Pokémon, Unicorn, and Pot of Gold Surprise. Every fizzy is handcrafted in NYC, using only the best ingredients. A percentage of his sales supports Black Girls Code, a not-for-profit organization that focuses on providing technology education for Black girls. To learn more, please visit https://www.blackgirlscode.com.
And be sure to check out these online children’s boutiques too:
www.TaylorandMax.com
www.GreenHeartsPink.com
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