Is it just us, or was shopping after the summer break the only exciting thing about going back to school?
Was there anything better than getting some fresh kicks, a just-been-dropped dope a** backpack, or swaggy school accessories and then showing them off to your nemeses?
Nope. We didn’t think so.
So, although your kids aren’t quite ready to kiss the summer vacations and beach holidays goodbye (who is anyway?), you can help them slowly get into the groove and in the mood for a new year of learning with some tote adorbs backpacks, notebooks, and pencil packs from your favorite Black-owned school supply brands.
PSA: Most of these brands offer more than one school supply, so be sure to bundle up your purchases to save cash on shipping. Also, some operate on a made-on-order basis, so make sure to peruse through their sites before stocks last!
Now who’s ready to become the coolest parent in class/or in the universe this year?
Brown Girl Stationery
With taglines like “we make cute things for sassy lil brown queens,” who could ever not want to get a cool backpack or school accessory from Brown Girl Stationery? Definitely not us.
And launched in 2019 by then-7-year-old Kamaria Warren, this Black-owned school supply brand is famous for creating some of the most inclusive, innovative, and incredibly gorgeous back-to-school-items, printable notepads, and party décor that remind young girls of color that they’re beautiful, intelligent and seen in this world!
Just Be Hue
Add a backdrop of swag to your school bag with Just Be Hue’s unique back-to-school collections. Their products are fan-favorite because they’re super-cute and created with the most premium-quality materials making them durable and long-lasting.
So, if you’ve been searching for that perfect backpack that can store all your baby’s school supplies, a sassy lunch bag that can hold her favorite snacks and drinks (without spillage), and a dope drawstring bag to keep their gym clothes, Just Be Hue is where it’s at!
Oh, our recommendation? Nothing’s cooler than the Phoebe The Photographer Backpack ($35) or Bianca The Businesswoman Collection ($9)! They’re just so totes adorbs!
More Than Peach
More than peach was launched back in 2019 by then-8-year-old Bellen Woodard. The young CEO sought to add some splash of inclusive color palettes to kids’ crayon boxes, and that’s precisely what you get with the eco-friendly pencil and crayon packs.
The revolutionary and innovative art brand of “may beautiful colors” also aims at celebrating kid brilliance and helping them “really, actually” grow in the creative spaces. You can buy her products on Amazon, Target, or the brand’s official site.
Black Girl Powerhouse
Black Girl Powerhouse has created a collection of dope backpacks, totes, and organizational tools with fun characters representing Black Girl Magic. They have a set objective to offer cool gear to students that encourages them to strive for and be the best in what they do.
When it comes to back-to-school shopping, we can’t get enough of their Natural Girls Backpacks, the Naturally Yours Coloring Book/Personalized Crayons & Unicorn Bag, and the stunning Black Queen Umbrellas.
Innovative Supplies
Innovative Supplies, a Black-owned school supply webstore, is run by the coolest millennial ever – Nneka. As an aspiring history teacher, Nneka launched Innovative Supplies in a bid to make a positive change in the Black community.
Among its standout school collections are notebooks and apparels showcasing modern and historic moments in Black culture. They even have a notebook that features a drawing of Tupac rocking an “I Am Sandra Bland” t-shirt.
Besides providing kids with world-class supplies, the firm employs high school students to help foster solid work experience and training. Some of the skills students learn are filing orders, teamwork, social media marketing, and customer relations, which can be a bonus for those looking to venture into entrepreneurship and business marketing, among other related fields.
NikNax
Like most Black-owned school supply brands, NikNax was formed out of necessity.
Unable to find what they were searching for in the stationery space (especially when everything’s catered for righthanded peeps), the brand launched its own unique versions of greeting cards, spiral notebooks, and sticky notes.
Along with the Black Panther notebook designs, NikNax also offers a wide range of pencil designs with creative sayings such as “Melanated and Educated” and functional yet stylish left-hander spiral notebooks that make doing homework fun!
Pretty Dope Society
Founded by Charlotte native and entrepreneur Chrishonda “Queen Chri” Benson, Pretty Dope Society breathes life into black art by creating some of the dopest school supplies. And if you’re looking for the most adorable and motivational water bottles for your preschooler, college kid, or even yourself, this is the brand for you.
With so many pretty designs to choose from, it might not be easy just to pick one. But then again, kids go through so many water bottles in one school year you’ll probably need to get a few.
Bonus: Every bottle comes with a carabiner and a keychain ring, so you can save a few cents by not buying those too!
Gwell
If you want to upgrade your child’s school snack choices, Gwell, a Black-owned plant-based snack brand, could be the store you’ve been looking for.
The for adults/school supply brand offers some cool and delicious artificial colors-free, dairy-free, and soy-free bite-sized snacks that your kid can enjoy after a long day or recess or trade with her bestie across the lunch room table.
Gwell’s mouth-watering snack packs also come in cute kid-friendly flavors like orange cacao fruit (best for improving focus), pineapple coconut (boosts energy and brain health), and peach pomegranate (boosts immunity and increases endurance).
The school supply snack brand also has a fantastic range of granola clusters, chocolates, shortbread tea cookies, and much more…you’re literally spoilt for choice. Oh, and watch out for their seasonal offers, which come in handy, especially if you’re looking to mix up your child’s snack options!
