black history month : 4 black-owned businesses we support and love

“You can only become accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.” – Maya Angelou

the canadian black standard is an incredible organization that takes an intersectional approach to combating discrimination and racism in the workplace. in support of black canadian female business owners, bluboho and TBCS created the 'raising the standard’ grant in 2021. four incredible black canadian female entrepreneurs were selected as the inaugural recipients of the grant, which awarded each of them a $1,500 grant, a $150 bluboho valued item and one-on-one time with both maggie and select standard co-founders. we are so proud to celebrate and uplift them, and we think you will love them too. 

the 2021 ‘raising the standard’ grant winners:

pleasenotes by cheryl sutherland: cheryl is a transformational speaker and founder of pleasenotes, which offers affirmation-filled products such as their guided manifestation planner and workshops such as the clear and confident course, which helps participants create a successful and abundant life by design. if you’re looking for new ways to educate yourself this month, why not level-up your understanding of inclusion with pleasenotes’ inclusion notebook, which is filled with exercises designed to help you on your anti-racism and allyship journey and affirmations from a wide range of inclusivity activists.

altheatherapy by micheline khan: micheline was inspired to provide mental health support to bipoc (black, indigenous, and people of colour) communities disproportionately impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, police brutality, and more. named after micheline’s mother althea, which means “healing” in greek, the organization works to increase accessibility to culturally-responsive mental health and wellness services and resources to people across canada.

taj charles by tajah charles: tajah is a toronto-based fashion designer whose namesake label adds colour and life to their lounge and lingerie, imbuing ‘home clothes’ with a sense of luxury you can enjoy every day. taj charles items are handmade in toronto by tajah and her small team, producing sustainably and sourcing locally and canadian as much as possible.  

carnival spice by shakera martin: canadian movement coach and speaker shakera launched carnival space with the intention of celebrating, highlighting, and elevating caribbean culture in canada. Carnival space works to empower, train, and mentor artists of colour, entertain and educate on the history of mas and caribbean carnival culture, and create vibrant carnival-inspired events and fitness programs. 

we are so grateful, humbled, and proud to be in community with the standard and to be able to support their initiatives. 

upcoming events at the standard

february 24th: power players: a conversation with black women in sport (free event)

interested in becoming a member of the standard? info and registration can be found here.