As part of our commitment to the Black Lives Matter campaign, we’re highlighting some Black-owned vegan businesses based in the UK that we think you should be supporting.
Our selection includes a variety of companies to demonstrate the scope of Black-owned vegan businesses in the UK. These include brands that sell vegan food, skincare, fashion, gifts, and haircare products.
The brands we have listed are just a few great examples of black entrepreneurship and we urge you to actively look for more whenever you consider making a purchase.
6 reasons to support Black-owned UK vegan businesses
- Promotes black culture and celebrates the richness of vegan products and services on offer.
- Supports local communities, as Black-owned businesses are often created to assist minorities.
- Hold big corporates accountable by voting with your money. Demonstrate that you will not stand for their injustice and discrimination and would rather spend your money at companies that foster inclusion and equality.
- Help to close the ethnicity wealth gap. Data reveals that “people of colour are worse off than white counterparts and black households face the biggest deficit”.
- Promotes job creation — small Black-owned businesses are more likely to employ people from their communities, helping to boost employment rates and ultimately, the local economy.
- Need I mention why supporting vegan businesses is a good idea? Not least because many of them are supporting their own communities during COVID-19!
Where can I find Black-owned businesses in the UK?
We recommend visiting the following websites and Instagram accounts for Black-owned vegan businesses in the UK, as these will be kept up-to-date and they send regular updates to subscribers.
UK Vegans of Colour
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukvegansofcolour/
Black Pound Day
Website: https://blackpoundday.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpdofficial/
Black Directory UK
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdirectoryuk/
1. Dee’s Table
Founder: Denai Moore
Based: London
Industry: Food (supper clubs and recipes)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dees_table
Website: https://www.deestable.com
If you’ve ever had the fortune to dine in at one of Denai’s supper clubs, then you will have experienced the sheer delight that is her food! Denai recreates the Jamaican flavours of her youth in her dishes using plant-based ingredients but with modern twists and fusions. Thanks to the pandemic, there are currently no pop-ups or supper clubs on the horizon but you can still support her by following her Instagram or visiting her recipe blog.
2. Marli’s Kitchen
Founder: Belinda Manfo
Based: London
Industry: Food (frozen food delivery and meal kits)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marliskitchen
Website: https://goodeats.io/marliskitchen
Stop here if you’re looking for the best delicious fried ‘chicken’! Nobody does it better than Belinda, who started her vegan food business in the streets of London about 2 years ago. She’s a one-woman show who attended pop-up events until the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the outbreak, Belinda adapted her business to become a frozen fried chick’un fillets and fried chick’un burger meal kit delivery service. What’s more, she’s currently revamping her menu to give us even more delicious options!
Oh, and she now delivers nationwide if you DM her.
3. The Wild Curl
Founder: Vanessa Lopes
Based: Northampton
Industry: Haircare
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildcurl
Website: https://www.thewildcurl.com
Vanessa started her company after she realised there was still a shortage of products, tips, and advice for those with curly hair. Instead of creating a single generic formula, she has worked with dedicated experts to design products to suit a variety of curly hair types. Even better, all of The Wild Curl products are natural, vegan, and cruelty-free.
4. Cookie & Biscuit
Founder: Danae Dade
Based: London
Industry: Food (cookies, baking, and bespoke catering)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookieandbiscuituk
Website: https://www.cookieandbiscuit.com
Founded in 2013 as a small batch Black-owned vegan bakery, Cookie & Biscuit now offers a bespoke vegan catering service and creates the most amazing vegan cakes! The founder, Danae, has tried her hand at various events, including yoga brunches, supper clubs, and private occasions, and even sells boxes of delicious brownies and cookies on her website.
5. LoveRems
Founder: Remi Smith
Based: London
Industry: Skincare
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loverems
Website: https://www.loverems.com
Remi started experimenting with popular African ingredients, including African Black Soap and Shea Butter, after experiencing a long-term battle with eczema and sensitive skin. Now, she creates amazing natural and cruelty-free skincare products, so others can benefit from her effective formulas. All LoveRems products are vegan, free from chemicals, and mostly come in eco-friendly packaging, such as glass jars with tin lids.
6. Earth to Earth Organics
Founders: Danny and Tenesia Pascal
Based: London
Industry: Skincare
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthtoearthorganics
Website: https://www.earthtoearthorganics.com
“Because we’ve all got skin.” Husband and wife duo Danny and Tenesia founded Earth to Earth Organics in 2016 and have since gone on to win the Harrow Business Den Award in 2018. Thet produce a range of body washes, oils, and butters that are cruelty-free, vegan, and environmentally-friendly. Their values extend further than their Black-owned vegan business, as they both lead plant-based lifestyles and have a passion for growing their own food.
Did I mention they ship globally?
7. Kemi Telford
Founder: Yvonne Telford
Based: London
Industry: Clothing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kemitelford
Website: https://kemitelford.com
Whilst not technically vegan (the owner does not follow a plant-based lifestyle), Kemi Telford is a female Black-owned vegan business that sells a fantastic range of inspiring clothes to encourage women to “stop shrinking themselves” and “take up their rightful place”. After studying Law, working as a Credit Risk Analyst, and living as a stay-at-home mum for 7 years, Yvonne finally realised her dream to own a clothing business and founded this stylish and bold clothing brand.
Kemi Telford endeavours to take a sustainable approach to fashion and, as such, make their clothes to last, do not create seasonal lines, reduce waste by selling samples and seconds, often use remnant cloth pouches instead of plastic bags, and make an effort to use biodegradable, reusable, and recyclable packaging, including eco-friendly packaging tape.
Want to know more black-owned vegan businesses?
Check out Harleigh Reid’s video for more black-owned businesses in the UK:
Did you catch the Vegan Women Summit on the Intersection of Race and Veganism? If not, a replay is available!
