As a non-Black UW-Madison student, I keep returning to this question: How can I be a better ally to my Black peers on campus? Furthermore, how can I be an ally in my community, my state, and my country? There is not one simple resolution to this inquiry as the answers are inexhaustible and wide-ranging. Genuine allyship should not be one-dimensional but multifaceted and well-intentioned. I have learned in the past few months that a powerful mechanism of allyship is using personal economic power to support Black-owned businesses. I spoke with Nalah McWhorter, the president of The Black Student Union, in early July and she introduced me to The Wisconsin Black Market.
The Wisconsin Black Market is an Instagram page that showcases Black business owners in Wisconsin. The creators, Nalah McWhorter and Jalia Labre, hope this page will foster a prosperous Black market in Wisconsin. Both women have recently launched their own businesses; Nalah is the CEO of Silk & Honey Skin Care and Jalia is the CEO of The Labre Collection, a boutique specializing in lashes, apparel and accessories. The purpose of The Wisconsin Black Market page is to uplift other Black business owners and promote their products.
Featured businesses include QPID Apparel, a clothing brand whose goal is to shed light on what self love is and why self love is important. The page also features a dessert shop, Sweetz 4 Dayz, that caters to both Racine and Madison, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Black Market also spread awareness about the nationwide economic blackout that occurred on July 7 and encouraged followers to join the Black Lives Matter movement in an effort to keep billions out of the economy.
I had the privilege to speak with Jalia about The Labre Collection and learn more about her business venture. She told me that her motivation for creating The Labre Collection was to show customers that there are people who really care about their wants and needs.
“My goal is to provide customers with the TLC they deserve therefore I am always looking for ways to improve,” said Labre, UW-Madison Class of ‘21. “Whether it is by changing certain procedures, policies, or prices. I want to make the shopping experience as pleasant and rewarding as I know it can be.”
Jalia also spoke to the way in which social media presence is imperative for small businesses, especially during a global pandemic. Her business approach is rooted in quality customer service and she believes the creation of a Facebook and Instagram page for The Labre Collection is an effective way to stay connected with her supporters and clients. As a Black woman in business, Jalia is breaking down barriers and expectations that our society has imposed on her. She is a motivated and impressive college student who is determined to leave her mark not only on the UW-Madison campus, but the greater Wisconsin area as a successful businesswoman.
Labre said “Throughout this journey, I have proven to myself that I can do anything that I put my mind to. My hope is that I can inspire and move those that look like me to do whatever it is they have been wanting to try.”
“I want them to know that they too can do anything they put their minds to. All in all, being a Black woman in business has been nothing short of amazing. I am so grateful for the outpour of love and support I have received from those in my community. I am beyond excited to see where the future takes me. This is only the beginning,” Labre said.
I highly encourage following the Wisconsin Black Market on Instagram and taking the time to learn more about the innovative businesses that are featured. However, The Wisconsin Black Market is not the only forum that has compiled a list of Black-owned businesses in the Madison area. The list of Madison Black-owned businesses below is by no means exhaustive but it is a good start. Next time you get takeout, consider ordering from Marie’s Soul Food or Just Veggiez. Looking for a graduation photographer? Book an appointment with Arrowstar Photography. Supporting Black-owned businesses is a simple way that the non-Black community can shift their words of solidarity into action.
Madison, WI Black-Owned Retail/Products
-Marie Hunter Beauty
-Adorn Chic Boutique
-The Sophisticated Lady
-Happily Ever After Children’s Resale Boutique
-The Labre Collection
-Perfect Imperfections 608
-CocoaBean Skincare
-ALL Johnson Crafts
-Swurly Curls
-Village Girl Boutique
-African and American Store
-Youngmajor Trend
-Visions Boutique
-Sweet Sorrel
-Malcolm’s Royalty
-Silk and Honey Skincare
-Cey Boutique
-QB’s Magnetic Creations
Madison, WI Black-Owned Restaurants
-David’s Jamaican
-Savi Cafe and Catering
-McGee’s Chicken
-Kingdom Restaurant
-Falbo Bros Pizzeria - Park Street
-Buraka
-Anointed One
-Pa Pa’s BBQ
-Melly Mel's Deli and Catering
-Just Veggiez
-Marie’s Soul Food
-Cafe Costa Rica
-Ribmasters WI
-Lorraine’s Cafe
Madison, WI Black-Owned Catering Options
-Les Délices de Awa LLC
-Bartender 608
-Palate Pleasures LLC
-Keur Fatou Catering
-Madtown Food Service
Madison, WI Black-Owned Dessert Options
-Curtis and Cake
-CocoVaa Chocolatier
-Mo’ Betta Butter Cookies
-Lushlife Vegan Bakery
-Miss Ella’s Cake Bar
-Sharifs Sweets and Pet Treats
-Mac-A-Holics Macarons
Madison, WI Black-Owned Hair Salons
-Kali Jo Studio
-Simple Cuts Hair Salon
-Studio 262 Salon and Spa
-Ashley Franklin - Hair Stylist
-Fringe Salon Spa
-Harper’s Hair Culture
-Jason Glenn Salon
-Decorous Designs
Madison, WI Black-Owned Barber Shops
-The Edge of Freshness
-Regent Cuts Barbershop
-JP Hair Design, Inc.
-Resilient Hair Design
-Mr. Rudd’s Barbershop ‘
-Atwood Barber Shop
Madison, WI Black-Owned Home Maintenance/Landscaping
-Cook’s One and Done Moving and Cleaning
-Acme Household Services
-Smart Cleaning Solutions
-IRIE Plaster LLC
-Class a Cleaning
Madison, WI Black-Owned Services
-Arrowstar Photography
-Marla Bergh Photography
-Blu Moose Photography
-Indigo+ Photography
-Reigny Day Photography
-Krystal Images Photography
-EQT by Design
-Foster Funeral Home
-Wood Violet Events and Styling
-Motivational M.D. Publishing
-Making the Heart Smile
-Sheree Rayford Creative Services
-Mitchell’s Dry Cleaning
-DKL Printing
Madison, WI Black Owned Fitness/Wellness
-The Blast Muay Thai
-Kickboxing Plus
-Venus Inspires - Health Coach
-Kneaded Relief Day Spa and Wellness
-Ymassage - Bodywork and Natural Fitness
-Silver Linings Taekwon-do
-The Fit on Monroe
-R’oujie Wellness
-La’Karron Skin Boutique
-Anesis Therapy Center
