Celebrate National Black Business Month draft
“Black Business Month is celebrated in August — it’s a time to acknowledge and appreciate black-owned businesses across the nation and all that they represent in the country’s continual striving for diversity and equality. “Black Business Month” in 2024 August edition of National Today.
“This historic annual event provides a chance for consumers and proprietors to not only support Black businesses but provide them a platform to grow their enterprises and build wealth for current and future generations of African Americans.” quote by Jeffrey McKinney from August 21 2023 edition of “Black Wealth for Life Enterprise”
Black Owned Businesses in our communities
SJM is proud to celebrate Black Business Month by creating this directory. Please note that the directory provided below is not exhaustive but serves as a starting point in our support of black owned businesses in and around our community. Many of the businesses listed operate in the Scotch Plains and Fanwood areas and surrounding communities. Others have participated in our annual SJM Juneteenth vendor market. If you are interested in being listed in this directory, please contact secretary@socialjusticematters.org.
In addition, there is a National Directory of Certified Black-owned Businesses at the bottom of this page along with more information about ByBlack and how to become certified Black-owned.
Local Businesses
Bisc Pottery Studio Pottery - Pottery for sale, Ceramic classes and workshops - Website: www.biscpotterystudio.com - Email: biscpotterystudio@gmail.com - Phone Contact: (908) 900-5929 -Location: Scotch Plains, NJ
Byte for Byte Computers - Provides IT assistance and computer repairs and has saved many local companies from disasters caused by malware and crashes. - Website:: www.byteforbyte.net - Email: byteforbytecomputers@gmail.com - Phone: 908-490-1122 - Location: Scotch Plains
Family And Community Engagement Corp - (FACE Corp) provides academic, mentoring, recreation, martial arts, fitness, music, art, advocacy, and community service programs for youth, families and communities. We operate Goshu-Kwan Academy in Scotch Plains and serve the Plainfield area. - Website: www.facecorp.org - Phone Contact: 908-397-1785 (call or text) - Location: Scotch Plains, NJ
High End Cigar - High-End Cigars is the premier destination in Scotch Plains, NJ to discover, buy, and enjoy handmade premium cigars. - Website: www.highendcigarsnj.com - Phone Contact: 201-574-8000 - Location: Scotch Plains, NJ
Jerzland Printing LLC - "Your one-stop shop for all things Scotch Plains Fanwood Spirit!" T-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants. Wholesale screen printing shop in New Jersey. - Instagram: JerzlandPrinting - Phone Contact: (848) 244-3085 - Location: Scotch Plains, NJ
Lamar Jenkins Photography - Portraits, event, general photography - Website: lamarjenkinsphotography - Phone Contact: (908) 242-6721 - Location: Union, NJ
Prettybeastmode Fitness & Nutrition LLC - Personal training, nutrition, motivational coach. - Website: prettybeastmode - Email: prettybeastmode@gmail.com - Phone Contact: 908-531-7387 -Location: Scotch Plains
Queen City Realty - Full-service real estate company - Website: billflagg.com - Location: Scotch Plains, NJ
Sisters Helping Seniors - An all-inclusive senior living resource for our families. "Sisters Helping Seniors believes that all families will require love and support as they prepare their loved ones for the future," - Website : www.sistershelpingseniors.com
Authors/Local Publishing Companies
Jennifer Nwokeji - Educator and author who is passionate about making positive impacts on the lives of young children, especially struggling children. As a second career educator, her life’s goal is to see that young children believe in themselves and reach their full potential. Among Jennifer Nwokeji's publications are: Get to Know Special Me; The Very Stubborn Caterpillar; What Living Things Do; Zikora's Moroccan Rug; and Number Bonds 1 - 100. - Shop Jennifer-Nwokeji
Kojo Ayinde C. Johnson - Founder of “The Hand Arts & Edutainment”. Musician, Teacher, and author of The Lesson: Abu's Curiosity.- Shop Kojo-Ayinde-Johnson
Marcus Nelson - Founder of Mafoombay, LLC. - Storyteller, author of short stories, blogs and novels : Blacknificent!; Born from weeds & rats; The night the Rhymer went whack - Website www.mafoombay.com - Shop Blacknificent - Shop Born-weeds-rats - Shop night-Rhymer-went-whack
Marklyn T Johnson - Author, comedian, and solution-focused, engaging motivational speaker. Author of I like Black People: The Good Ones!!!: An Observation from Experience; LESSONS FROM A SH*T TALKER; and FaceBook Conversations: The Good The Funny The Ugly. - Website marklynspeaks.com- Shop MarklynTJohnson
Nicole Neal - Founder of E. L. N Press - Committed to Publishing books that inspire and empower readers of all ages! In honor of epilepsy awareness, E.L.N Press presents, Seize the Day: Leila's Big Adventure. Website: ELNPress.com
Renaee Smith - Founder of Independent Authors Book Experience - Author Renaee Smith writes in 2 main genres: children's books and cookbooks. Her cookbook Mema When has received international recognition. Website: www.renaeesmith.com
Robert Constant - Creative writer, senior level fundraising administrator with over 20 years of experience in higher education. Author of: Hey Tuskegee!; Hello Grandma - Shop RobertConstant
Thaddeus Expose - Jazz Musician and author of Can't Catch Me and Ultimate Jazz Method. - Website: www.thaddeusexpose.com - Shop thaddeusexpose
Veronica Chapman - Founder of Boxxout Enterprises - "Think outside the box to design creative solutions for social change." - Black Baby and Children books- Website: www.boxxout.com - Shop VeronicaChapman
Discover certified Black-Owned Businesses in your area
“ByBlack” is the first national certification exclusively for Black-owned businesses. Certifications, such as ByBlack, helps open doors to government contracts, corporate supplier diversity programs, and grants, helping businesses access opportunities, build credibility, and foster diversity and inclusion in the marketplace.
Black Owned New Jersey Facebook Page
There is a resource for Black-owned businesses to share ideas in Facebook called Black Owned New Jersey. You need to be a black-owned business to join this group.