Since sharing this brand with clients last year, Erika regularly enjoys BLK & Bold. It is the first Black-owned, nationally distributed coffee brand. Co-founders and friends, Pernell & Rod, grew up in Indiana and had a desire to unite coffee and tea lovers through a common interest of community investment. BLK & Bold pledges 5% of its proceeds to nonprofit organizations across America that are aligned to pouring into children the confidence, exposure, and guidance for them to be the best version of themselves.

Connect on Instagram @blkandbold 

While Lisa Govro may have accidentally fell into the tea business, this woman-owned company is intentional about quality and farmers. Big Heart Tea Co. uses 100% organic herbs in all herbal blends. No flavors, coloring or sweeteners added. Just whole flowers, herbs, and spices. Their tea bags are wrapped in packaging made from plants (not plastics) and printed locally. Building personal relationships with the world’s top organic tea farmers, Big Heart Tea Co. has developed a holistic direct-sourcing process that focuses in equal parts on the quality of the tea, the lives of the farmers, and the environment.  

Connect on Instagram @bighearttea

We brought back a client favorite! Greyston Bakery creates job opportunities for those who have experienced barriers to employment through their renowned, inclusive Open Hiring® policy. They are a certified B Corp, which means their efforts significantly benefit their local community. Their motto is, “We don’t hire people to bake brownies - we bake brownies to hire people.”

Connect on Instagram @greystonbakery

Passing on their families’ Dominican heritage, Kenny and Scott created organic versions of the most famous Latin seasoning pair - Sazón y Adobo. Loisa is an homage to “Loisaida” - the Spanglish name for their home in the Lower East Side barrio of New York City. Each month, 2% of sales are donated to an organization fighting for food justice. Certified Organic. Non-GMO. Vegan. No artificial colors, ingredients, or fillers. As an Afro-Latina, Erika is excited to cook with this new brand.

Connect on Instagram @eatloisa

My Poetry Soul by Sharon McMullen brings to light that no matter what, where, when, why, or how, you’re included. Sharon is a Black woman and the eighth of eleven children born to a pastor (her father) and a missionary (her mother). Her poems are a way of sharing the unconditional love her mother gave to her. Erika hopes you find her Aunt Sharon's book as inspirational as she does.

Read on Kindle or Paperback on Amazon

Get an ebook or Paperback on Barnes & Noble 

Oh-Mazing Granola is a woman and Black-owned business founded by Stephanie Williams.Stephanie has always believed in making all-natural, from-scratch meals for her family promote a healthy lifestyle. Her delicious granola recipe quickly became a hit with family, friends, and the community. Handcrafted in Washington, D.C., the granola is gluten free, nut free, soy free, and made with zero preservatives. It’s so good, it even has a Good Food Award! 

Connect on Instagram @ohmazingfood

Co-founded by actors Kristen Bell, Ryan Devlin, Todd Grinnell, and Ravi Patel, This Bar Saves Lives has a single goal: Feed starving children. Food insecurity and malnourishment are preventable, treatable, and curable. Every time a bar is purchased, the company donates life-saving nutrition to a child in need, both here in our own backyard and in global communities with the highest need. The bar is packed with a full serving of fruits and vegetables and is non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher-dairy-free.  

Connect on Instagram @thisbar 

Tervis is a third-generation family-owned and operated business, with their American made products located in Florida. They partner with Florida-based marine research labs and recycle products into other post-consumer products to keep them out of landfills. Tervis works with prAna and their Responsible Packaging Movement - committing to eliminate single-use plastic and virgin forest fiber from packaging, as well as excess packaging waste in our supply chain. 

Connect on Instagram @tervis 

Ziba Foods (which means beautiful in Farsi) is restoring Afghanistan’s heirloom fruits and nuts through economic and social change. They focus on a) nutrient-dense, preservative-free shelf-stable foods without the use of additives, b) an ethical supply chain, paying Afghan farmers a fair wage without delayed payments or below-market prices, c) empowering marginalized Afghan women through year-round employment and training. Ziba’s workforce in both management and staff positions is 85% female. Everything about Ziba is beautiful indeed!  

Connect on Instagram @zibafoods