Insights from Black Retailers in Massachusetts, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and California

Tamika Champion had gone through difficult times — illness, divorce and more. “When I was going through things, God gave me beauty from ashes,” she told herself, citing the Isaiah Biblical verse. “There are so many hurting women out there; why don’t I do something for them?”

So three years ago, Tamika and her husband and business partner, Jimmy, opened Beauty for Ashes Clothing and Candles in Canton, Mass. The pair already had a sportswear business, and between their retail experience and personal touch, the store quickly became a fixture in their largely Black community.

“Black-owned businesses are small businesses — Mom and Pop businesses,” observed Jimmy Champion. “To support Black-owned businesses helps these owners and their communities grow.”

In the nearly two years since George Floyd’s murder touched off an American racial reckoning, Black-owned businesses have seen a surge of appreciation. But like most small business owners, Black entrepreneurs like the Champions face a challenging environment dominated by big box, chain and online retailers.

“We’re in a part of town many people aren’t aware of, because

“Not everybody wants to shop online. I’m a people person. When you come in here, you get a live person to help out, a fitting room to try things on your body. And you can shop at the last minute for something.”

Rachael

many people don’t come to the Black parts of town,” Jimmy Champion pointed out. “So we have to market ourselves. We need not only Black customers, but also a diverse customer base.”

At Beauty for Ashes, shoppers love Tamika Champion’s candles and fragrances for things like healing or romance. Homemade inventory helps compensate for the supply chain disruptions that have caused widespread shortages. In addition to candles, lotions, sugar scrubs and other artisan beauty products, the boutique sells apparel and accessories. “We sell things that help women feel comfortable and be beautiful,” Jimmy Champion said.

In-person shopping is all about building community, according to Rachael Adadevoh-Woods , owner of ArtLoft Midtown in Detroit. “Not everybody wants to shop

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