Black Businesses: It’s Time to Rethink Where You Place Your Products

Let’s keep it real—what we’re seeing right now is a shift. DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) was the buzzword after 2020, when corporations scrambled to prove they “stood with” Black businesses. Shelves in places like Target and Walmart were suddenly sprinkled with Black-owned products. It felt like a win. But fast-forward to 2025, and the curtain has been pulled back. DEI budgets are being slashed, initiatives are being cut, and many Black-owned businesses are quietly being phased out of those major retail spaces.

For some, it’s heartbreaking. For others, it’s a wake-up call. Because here’s the truth: depending on big-box stores to validate or carry our brands was never going to be a long-term solution.

So what do we do now? Black business owners—this is our chance to take back the narrative and create new lanes.

Why Target and Walmart Aren’t the Only Options

Big retailers may offer exposure, but they also come with restrictions, contracts, and costs that can drain small businesses dry. And when they decide they don’t “need” us anymore? They move on.

But here’s the tea—our people, our communities, and our culture have always been the tastemakers. We’ve always had the power to build our own tables instead of begging for a seat. We don’t need Target or Walmart to prove our worth.

Alternative Platforms for Black Businesses

Here’s where you should be placing your products instead:

1. E-Commerce Powerhouses (Where You Control the Narrative)

• Shopify – Build your own online store and keep your profits. Pair it with apps like Klaviyo for email marketing.

• Etsy – Don’t sleep on Etsy; it’s a hub for unique, niche products and buyers love shopping small.

• Amazon (via Seller Central) – Yes, Amazon is corporate too, but you’re not at the mercy of a DEI initiative. You control your storefront, ads, and visibility.

2. Black-Owned Marketplaces

These platforms were built for us, by us. And they’re growing every day.

• Official Black Wall Street – A leading directory and marketplace for Black businesses.

• We Buy Black – A global marketplace that lets Black entrepreneurs sell directly to conscious consumers.

• Miiriya – An online marketplace that functions like Amazon, but specifically for Black-owned brands.

3. Local + Cultural Spaces

• Black Farmers Markets & Cultural Festivals – Take it offline. Festivals, expos, and pop-ups are prime spaces where buyers actually want to support.

• Community Co-Ops – Partner with local Black-owned cafés, bookstores, or co-ops to stock your products.

• Church Networks – Don’t underestimate the buying power of the Black church community. If you can tap into those networks, your products will move.

4. Subscription Boxes & Collabs

• Get your products into subscription boxes (Black Girl Magic Box, Cocotique, etc.).

• Partner with other Black businesses for bundle deals—skin care meets candles, coffee meets mugs, etc. Collabs bring audiences together and cut marketing costs.

5. Direct-to-Consumer Marketing (The Real Power Play)

Here’s the biggest gem: your customer is closer than you think.

• SMS & MMS Marketing – Forget chasing algorithms. With platforms like ZipinMail (MMS marketing), you can put your product directly in people’s hands—literally on their phones.

• Social Media Shops – Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook all have shop integrations. If people already follow you, make buying seamless.

• Email Lists – Stop sleeping on email. Build your list and own your customer base. No middleman.

The DEI rollback is exposing what was always true—these corporations were never in it for the culture. It was PR. And now that it’s no longer “trendy,” they’re backing away.

Black entrepreneurs, this is the season to be intentional about where you plant your products and how you market them. We can’t afford to build empires on borrowed land.

It’s time to create our own shelves. Our own platforms. Our own ecosystems. Because when we own the lane, no corporation can ever “decide” we don’t belong.

If you’re a Black business owner, stop waiting for the next corporate wave. Start building your own lane today. Get your products on platforms that respect you, market directly to your people, and most importantly—own your customer relationship.

Because we’re not just brands. We’re legacy.