If we look back on the events of the past year, they are nothing short of historic, especially for Black Americans. The killing of George Floyd, a Black man who was murdered in police custody, sparked a collective movement across the nation. Widespread protests highlighted racial injustice and proved the reality of systemic racism. All you have to do is compare photos of the Capitol during the Black Lives Matter protests to the recent storming of the Capitol to see racial inequality. The United States also elected its first Black vice president, and Georgia sent its first Black senator to the Capitol. 

The United States recognizes February as Black History Month, but Black history is deserving of celebration year round. Typically, many physical in-person events take place, educating and exposing the masses to cultural traditions and stories. Unfortunately, we remain in the vice grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused disproportionate deaths and job losses for Black Americans. Although we may not be able to come together to celebrate, there are many ways to take part in Black History Month celebrations. Get inspired by the following ideas and cultural events this February. 

Become A Bone Marrow Donor

BeTheMatch foundation is in dire need of African American bone marrow donors. People who identify as Black or African American have a 23% chance of finding a suitable bone marrow match. This percentage is even lower for multiracial patients. The reason for this is because there is a low representation in the registry. Increasing the amount of Black bone marrow donors could mean saving the lives of people suffering from sickle cell anemia or complex blood cancers like lymphoma. 

Black History Month In The Parks

The Urban Park Rangers set up a series of socially distanced outdoor events in New York’s Central Park. These events aim to explore the city’s Black history via walking tours focusing on Seneca Village in the early 1800s before Central Park. This area was predominantly inhabited by African American property owners, and it was a sanctuary for people escaping slavery via the Underground Railroad. 

Read Black Literature

Reading is a lost art, but literature plays an important role in the way we perceive the world. The different viewpoints from authors allow us to see and understand different perspectives of the world over time. During Black History Month, choose books with intention and support black authors and the stories they tell. Does your perception of Black History change after these influences? Consider reading The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop, which honors the accomplishments of female hip-hop artists. 

Support Black-Owned Meal Prep Services

You either love to cook or you don’t, but it’s safe to say that everyone loves to eat. Since health is of the utmost importance nowadays, consider revamping your diet. If you don’t want to cook the meals, subscribe to a meal preparation service that offers chef-curated meals. Many black-owned meal prep services exist around the country, so give them a shot during February. If you need some ideas of companies to order from, click here. 

Watch Black Films

There are powerful Black directors and actors doing big things in the film industry. Streaming services such as HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu offer Black History Month collections, but there are two recent movies that celebrate pivotal moments in history. Regina King made her directorial debut in One Night In Miami, which captures a fictionalized meeting between Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, Malcom X, and Muhammed Ali on one night. In a room at the Hampton House in February 1964, the four discuss their responsibilities of being successful black men in the Civil Rights movement. Additionally, Judah and the Black Messiah releases in theaters and on HBO Max on February 12th, 2021. This movie focuses on the rise in power of the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers, and the betrayal that resulted in his death by the F.B.I. 

Support Black Owned Businesses

This suggestion should not be limited to the month of February; rather, people should always be conscious of supporting black entrepreneurs or multiracial businesses in their communities. During Black History Month, make intentional decisions to support Black-owned businesses. If you are unaware of these businesses in your area, consider researching your community and see what products/services are offered. 

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There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal. The food is comforting and seems to nourish your soul, but you have to be able to cook in order for that sentiment to be true. Not everyone has the time or patience to create delicious meals that are perfectly portioned. And there’s no use stressing out about this when so many meal prep services are available.

During the pandemic, people had no choice but to cook, unless they ordered takeout, of course. With the reopening of certain businesses, more people are returning to work, leaving less time for meal preparation. You don’t have to sacrifice your home cooked meals just because you are busier, though. Let the pros help you out! Many meal prep services are extremely affordable and healthy for you. You get to pick your meals, which chefs curate, so your home cooking game can remain strong. The best part is that you can avoid the grocery store!

We hope you give the following black-owned meal prep services a shot, because they offer unique meals, specially curated produce selections, and much more. Make your friends jealous of the meals you “cook.”

Veganeik In New York City

Focusing on vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian meals, Veganeik prepares healthy meals and delivers them straight to your door. Veganeik started after the CEO experienced gastrointestinal struggles as a result of consuming poultry and dairy. The pain went away when she transitioned to plant-based foods and fish. The company services New York City and its surrounding areas, and offers three-day, five-day, and seven-day meal service kits.

Field Of Greens In Dallas

Janel Fields is the chef and owner of Field of Greens in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas. Food is her passion and she wants to change how people cook and view food. She started Field Of Greens after seeing how a healthier diet transformed the lives of family members with pre-existing health conditions. You can choose from an assortment of meals that are perfectly balanced for people who want to eat healthier.

Meal Prep Kingz Southern California

It’s hard to resist sugary, fatty, and processed foods that test your self-control. Fortunately, the meals from Meal Prep Kingz make you forget about every craving you have. The meals, which come straight to your door, provide the nutrition you need with a variety of menu and diet plans available. Whether you want to eat keto, paleo, plant-based, or maintain a more balanced diet, Meal Prep Kings has you covered. Every meal is chef-prepared and free of refined sugars and carbs. The company delivers to Orange County, the Inland Empire, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

Rebel Chef Meals In Atlanta

Meat eaters, vegans, pescatarians, and vegetarians alike can enjoy the culinary creations of Rebel Chef Meals. During COVID-19, the company has taken extra measures to sanitize everything for a worry-free meal delivery service. Contact them directly through Instagram (@therebelchefguide) to start your service today.

Chef Jess Meal Delivery In Washington, D.C.

This family-run meal delivery service caters to everyone in the Washington, D.C., area. Chef Jess is a registered dietitian, and the first person she helped tread a healthier path was her father, who weighed over 300 pounds with type 2 diabetes. She prepared his meals, focusing on nutrient-dense foods that strengthened his health and aided his weight loss journey. To this day, Chef Jess is all about healthy food that tastes good. You can choose from single meal delivery or weekly subscriptions, which registered dietitians design. Get food tailored to your health!

Biey Leaf In Oakland

Biey Leaf focuses on making healthy eating accessible to everyone. They come up with well-balanced, perfectly portioned meals, so that you can focus on work, fitness, school, meditation, and more. Biey Leaf always considers your health, which is why they encourage at least one of your weekly meals to be vegetarian or vegan. In addition to the meal prep service, Biey Leaf also offers nutritionist and personal chef services for private or special events.

Global Village Cuisine On The East Coast

Based out of Windsor, Vermont, Global Village Cuisine is the brainchild of husband and wife duo Mel and Damaris. Mel grew up in Memphis and experienced the soulful, rich Sunday dinners, while Damaris grew up in Kenya, where vibrant colors and aromatic spices flavored family recipes. Global Village Cuisine started its meal service in Vermont farmer’s markets and food festivals, but now they service numerous east coast cities. You can find their African-inspired, ready-to-eat meals in Whole Foods and other health food stores.

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Farms across the United States sell their produce to grocery stores, or they set up at farmers’ markets and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. The beauty of buying local ingredients is that you develop a connection with the people who grow your food. Not only do you support them directly, cutting out the middle man that is the grocery store, but you get the freshest quality produce straight from the source.

Some people live in areas where COVID-19 cases are extremely high, and they don’t want to venture to grocery stores or farmers’ markets. This is where CSAs come into play. They often provide delivery or no-contact pickup services for customers who want weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly bundles from the farms.

Now more than ever, black-owned CSAs and farms need your support. According to 2019 statistics from the US Department of Agriculture, less than 2% of farmers in the U.S. are black. Out of the 3.4 million farms in the U.S., only 45,508 farms are black-owned. Compare that number to the 949,889 black farmers in 1920. This decrease in black-owned farms comes from a long history of white landowners taking black-owned land. According to Dr. Gail Myers, founder of Farms to Grow, a nonprofit that helps black farmers become more sustainable, the government has a history of rejecting applications from black farmers for USDA support programs.

How Black-Owned CSAs Support The Community

The community involvement of CSAs is paramount. Many black-owned CSAs introduce children to gardening, they offer employment for formerly incarcerated people, and teach people skills that they can transform into livelihood. Another aspect of these CSAs is their commitment to bringing fresh foods to areas with limited access to fresh produce. These areas are known as food deserts, and they exist disproportionately in black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

Everyone deserves access to fresh produce. Instead, the presence of convenience stores, limited grocery stores, and fast food chains in these neighborhoods has diminished the health and wellness of community residents. The choice to eat processed or fast food is not a choice; rather, it is the only option. Fortunately, black-owned farms and CSA programs are trying to change this, offering wonderful locally grown produce to their communities. They need your support to continue these services. Support the following farms and CSAs if you have the means and want fresh, healthy food.

Logan’s Gardens, Los Angeles, California

The father-son duo of Jimmy and Logan Williams run Logan’s Gardens, which is located in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. The farm produces over 1,000 varieties of rare and heirloom plants, including blueberries, tomatoes, and peppers. You can find their produce at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market or the Hollywood Farmer’s Market, where all sorts of people eagerly wait to buy their produce.

Swanson Family Farm, Hampton, Georgia

Located in Hampton, Georgia, Wayne Swanson, commonly referred to as Farmer Wayne, raises cows, sheep, goats, and pigs on the family farm. With the help of his wife and son, Swanson Family Farm run’s a buyer’s club that connects directly with consumers. He continues to run a sustainable farm during COVID-19, attributing the success of his farm to his optimal conditions for his livestock. He treats his animals with respect, allowing them to graze freely, access ponds, and drink clean water. They plan to open an additional farm in New Jersey by the end of Summer 2020.

Soul Fire Farm, Petersburg, New York

On the 80 acres of Soul Fire Farm in Petersburg, New York, you can find a variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, pasture-raised meat, forest products, and chickens. Since 2010, the farm has provided vegetable and egg delivery programs for low-income community members. The farm also helps train farmers of color, and it prides itself in being an educational farm that stands up for the rights of farmworkers and everyone impacted by the food system.

Gangstas To Growers, Atlanta, Georgia

Abiodun Henderson started this agribusiness training program for at-risk and formerly incarcerated youth four years ago. Gangstas to Growers offers a three-month program, in which participants work on a cooperative farm, attend seminars, and engage in yoga classes. Participants earn wages and gain skills that propel them into production and business management. So, they learn how to grow food and transform that food into retail products. The goal is to assist 500 young people by 2025.

Fresh Future Farms, North Charleston, South Carolina

Founded by Germaine Jenkins and Todd Chas in 2014, Fresh Future Farms aims to bring healthy food to economically challenged communities. There are communities surrounding the farm that limited grocery stores. The stores in these areas contain hardly any produce items. This farm has an on-site grocery store, where they sell produce straight from the farm. We are talking about harvest-to-order food people! The store also assists people with challenging economic circumstances.

Soilful City, Washington, D.C.

Soilful City has a mission to cultivate fresh produce for under-resourced individuals in the D.C. metro area. Xavier Brown heads the urban farm, which partners with grassroots organizations to create sustainable agriculture programs. All of Brown’s efforts help build stronger communities that have a greater focus on health and locally sourced food.

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For most people, this year has been one of the most challenging years to date. In the midst of a pandemic, large protests against police brutality and racism took place. These gatherings amid a pandemic speak to the urgent demand for change to occur moving forward. If you, like many, have been trying to find different ways to support the black community, you’re in luck. We have great recommendations for black-owned businesses that sell facial coverings, which everyone needs nowadays!

States are reopening, but COVID-19 is far from a thing of the past. In fact, many experts believe that a second, stronger wave is on the horizon. Obviously, states cannot remain closed forever, so facial coverings are necessary in businesses that reopen, and in certain public settings. Facial coverings aren’t going anywhere for a while, so you’re going to need some options. It just so happens that some great black-owned businesses make some of the most stylish, inventive, and eye-catching face masks.

Coronavirus Risk Factor For People Of Color

According to scientific data, the black and Latinx communities are much more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus. There are many contributing factors to this statistic, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Health experts suggest that chronic underlying health conditions, working in essential businesses, reduced vitamin D levels, and inconsistent access to health care all contribute to increased cases of COVID-19 in people of color. 

How Can We Fight Racial Disparity In COVID-19 Pandemic?

There are many things that need to happen in order to counteract the current statistics. Improving employment opportunities and initiating steps to mitigate economic inequality will benefit people of color for future health emergencies. For right now, regular hand washing and wearing facial coverings can help limit the spread of COVID-19. Add some more pizzazz to your face mask game by supporting the following black-owned businesses that sell face masks.

By Keeks With Love

This black-owned Etsy shop is based out of Sebring, Florida. While she sells mugs, journals, jewelry, T-shirts, and other home goods and accessories, she started selling facial coverings to help flatten the curve. All of the facial coverings are sewn by hand, so it can take 10-12 days to get your order, but the designs are well worth the wait.

Carlton Jones

When you purchase items from Carlton Jones, your products are “…combined with a love of fluidity and some of the finest fabrication to touch skin.” He’s been a stylist for Queen Latifah, Halle Barry, Jill Scoot, and Erykah Badu. His color combinations, prints, and fabrics are now available in the form of face masks. Get his beautiful, unique masks today!

Wrapped By Nellz

Wrapped by Nellz is known for its creative and stylish head wraps, but the black-owned company began creating masks in response to the pandemic. In fact, there are mask and head wrap sets that will keep your slay game strong. See which one catches your eye, or buy several so you have options!

Candid Art Accessories

This is a California-based, black-owned Etsy shop that features jewelry, greeting cards, and other handcrafted accessories. The company creates “…one-of-a-kind pieces” that aim to inspire women to “…celebrate their personal space, unleash their creativity, and influence the world.” The company began in 2011 and vivid African patterns and visuals inspire all of its products. Enhance your face mask game and order from this special Etsy shop.

Aloha Glamour

“Aloha Glamour is a lifestyle movement that promotes women loving themselves wholeheartedly.” You can feel stylish while staying safe by selecting a mask that is inspired by colorful African prints. There are even masks that have matching head wraps, hats, and headbands. We challenge you to browse their masks and find one that you don’t like. It’s impossible to not like them!

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When it comes to your health, it is encouraged to be selfish. For black individuals, however, it can be hard to identify with a health and wellness industry that often caters to white individuals. Even though influential black wellness figures, who constantly generate positive and informational content, exist on social media, they are often eclipsed by white influencers.

2020 has left the black community vulnerable and devastated. From the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Atatian Jefferson and countless other black individulas to the coronavirus pandemic, which affected more people of color, there has never been a more important time to empower the black community. As a response to these events, black individuals and platforms produced content to uplift the black community, providing resources, information, love, and more to those suffering. 

As a black-owned business that focuses on health and wellness, Dherbs is always on the lookout for like-minded individuals and companies. We are all on this journey together, and we want to see as many people as possible thrive, succeed, and achieve optimal wellness. Rev up your wellness game by following the black wellness Instagram accounts below.

@dherbs

Shameless plug. Sorry, not sorry. From day one, Dherbs has helped people reclaim their birthright of optimal and vibrant health. There’s no room for negativity at Dherbs, and we publish informational and inspirational content that helps boost physical and mental health. Start following us if you haven’t already done so!

@blackgirlinom

Black Girl In Om is “…a space for black women to breathe easy.” The Instagram account offers meditation, yoga, and journaling workshops that emphasize holistic wellness. Their vision is to create “…a world where womxn of color are liberated, empowered, & seen.” Check them out for meditations and more!

@mynameisjessamyn

This woman is absolutely incredible. Not only is she an incredible yogi and founder of Underbelly Yoga, but she also promotes body positivity through her pictures, videos, and workshops. Jessamyn Stanley breaks the stereotypes of the fitness industry and shows how anyone of any age, gender, race, or physical condition can improve their health.  

@alextoussaint25

Alex Toussaint is a senior instructor at Peloton, and he has a large following of dedicated fitness enthusiasts. Toussaint’s tough-love fitness approach motivates NFL stars to the average Peloton app user. He inspires people to do their best and attack life with a tenacious spirit. If you want help reaching your fitness goals, follow Toussaint.

@lightwatkins

Light Watkins has been a Vedic meditation teacher since 2007, and has helped people from all walks of life discover the importance of meditation. In this time of social unrest, Watkins has helped many people work through grief, anger, frustration, and other emotions that tax the body. He continually shares videos and you can listen to his podcast for in depth conversations.

@qtpocmentalhealth

Rest for Resistance is a trans-led organization that focuses on uplifting LGBTQIA+ individuals and marginalized communities. This includes Latinx, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, Black, Middle Eastern, multiracial, and Asian people. These communities rarely get adequate access to social support, so Rest for Resistance creates this safe space for people who are too often silenced. Their art is powerful!

@hannahbronfman

Founder of HBFit and global Adidas ambassador, Hannah Bronfman aims to inspire followers with her posts about fitness, beauty, self-care, and healthy eating. She recently published a book that details her incredible journey to wellness. It also explains how she created a community of people with the common goal of embracing their bodies and feeling good.

@blackfemaletherapists

A stigma exists around mental health, or seeking therapy to improve your condition. Black Female Therapists work to put a stop to this, while simultaneously educating black people about mental health and the available therapies. They constantly post resources, books, Q & A’s, products, and natural remedies that help improve your mental state.

@thenapministry

“We examine the liberating power of naps.” Rest is such an important part of recovery and you can’t function properly without it. The Nap Ministry aims to highlight the importance of rest because sleep deprivation is both a social and racial issue. Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, believes that rest is a form of resistance, and it “…is a radical tool for community healing.”

@diveinwell

“Creating space, community, conversations and change for diversity in wellness,” Dive In Well offers online resources and tools to empower all who seek to improve their wellness. Maryam Ajayi, founder of Dive In Well, energy healer, and entrepreneur, recently re-launched and company in an effort to offer more digital workshops, resources, and consulting about self-care and affordable health solutions.

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