What Is Black Pound Day And How Can You Get Involved?

Instead of going to the same old super-store, why not discover an independent shop in your local area?

Black Pound Day

by Natalie Hammond |
Updated on

Today is Black Pound Day, the day (always the first Saturday of the month) when shoppers are encouraged to spend money on services and products from businesses that are Black-owned. Founded on Saturday 27 June 2020, the monthly event was set up to support the growth of the UK’s Black economy. And while it might have ‘day’ in its name, the point is to incorporate these brands into our lives in the long-term, changing our shopping habits to make them more diverse.

In the US, thanks to movements like Aurora James’s 15 Percent Pledge, the disproportionate effect of the coronavirus pandemic on Black-owned business closures has been brought to the public’s attention. As James highlighted on @15percentpledge, the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research found that 40% of Black business owners reported that they weren’t working in April 2020.

Black Pound Day's website has a searchable directory in the UK - everything from grocery stores to sports and fitness centres (although these remain closed during the country's lockdown) - so that you can find shops and services in your local area. With not much to do at the moment, and almost nowhere to go, tomorrow is the perfect opportunity to show your support and begin as you mean to go on.

Gallery

SHOP: The Best Black-Owned Businesses To Support Now

SIKA, Maliah Puffer Jacket, £2151 of 23

SIKA, Maliah Puffer Jacket, £215

Pyer Moss, Sister Long-Sleeve Tee, £1282 of 23

Pyer Moss, Sister Long-Sleeve Tee, £128

Emefa Cole, Tube Ring, £8003 of 23

Emefa Cole, Tube Ring, £800

Kemi Telford, Forest Brushed Cotton Maxi Dress, £2054 of 23

Kemi Telford, Forest Brushed Cotton Maxi Dress, £205

AAKS, Tia Ruffle, £1655 of 23

AAKS, Tia Ruffle, £165

Brother Vellies, Picnic Shoes, £5456 of 23

Brother Vellies, Picnic Shoes, £545

TTYA, Plunge Maxi Dress, £207 of 23

TTYA, Plunge Maxi Dress, £20

Fe Noel, Nutmeg Swimsuit, £1348 of 23

Fe Noel, Nutmeg Swimsuit, £134

Mateo New York, 14K Gold Malachite Ear Jackets, £4399 of 23

Mateo New York, 14K Gold Malachite Ear Jackets, £439

Vavvoune, USRA Wallet, £15310 of 23

Vavvoune, USRA Wallet, £153

More Than, Nikki Plaid Slides, £7211 of 23

More Than, Nikki Plaid Slides, £72

Casley-Hayford, Union Rucksack, £39512 of 23

Casley-Hayford, Union Rucksack, £395

Daily Paper, Acid Lime Jowa Hoodie, £13913 of 23

Daily Paper, Acid Lime Jowa Hoodie, £139

Nubian Skin, Bodysuit, £39.5014 of 23

Nubian Skin, Bodysuit, £39.50

A-Cold-Wall*, Storm Compass-Pocket Hooded Jacket, £33515 of 23

A-Cold-Wall*, Storm Compass-Pocket Hooded Jacket, £335

Telfar, Cable-Knit Thumbhole Sweater, £32916 of 23

Telfar, Cable-Knit Thumbhole Sweater, £329

Kenneth Ize, Handwoven Scarf, £24017 of 23

Kenneth Ize, Handwoven Scarf, £240

Thebe Magugu, Boat-Neck Ribbed Wool Sweater, £26518 of 23

Thebe Magugu, Boat-Neck Ribbed Wool Sweater, £265

Daily Paper, Brown Kazira Blazer, £28519 of 23

Daily Paper, Brown Kazira Blazer, £285

Wales Bonner, Saint Ann Crochet-Panel Rib-Knitted Skirt, £45020 of 23

Wales Bonner, Saint Ann Crochet-Panel Rib-Knitted Skirt, £450

AK Wilde, Adinkra African Print Cushion, £3721 of 23

AK Wilde, Adinkra African Print Cushion, £37

Martine Rose, Jersey Funnel-Neck T-shirt In White, £13522 of 23

Martine Rose, Jersey Funnel-Neck T-shirt In White, £135

Yinka Ilori, Ere Tray, £4523 of 23

Yinka Ilori, Ere Tray, £45

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