As the media landscape evolves, we should recognize the contributions of Black-owned media brands.
These companies have provided platforms for Black voices to be heard and have created successful businesses catering to Black audiences.
Here are some of the best Black-owned media brands impacting the industry.
Essence Communications
Essence Communications is royalty when it comes to Black media.
Since 1968, Essence Communications has catered to Black women, inspiring and empowering a 20 million+ audience.
Whether you know the brand for its signature magazine or the annual ESSENCE festival, it’s the place to go for Black women.
Blavity Inc.
Blavity Inc. is a media company created by and for Black millennials.
The company has premium content brands, including:
- Blavity
- Travel Noire
- AfroTech
- 21Ninety
- Blavity360
- Home & Texture
- Shadow and Act
Each brand caters to a different niche, making Blavity Inc. among the most diverse Black-owned media brands.
Urban ONE
Urban ONE has served the Black community for over 35 years and is the biggest Black-owned broadcaster countrywide.
It aims to be the Black community’s most trusted source by offering culturally relevant content.
Urban ONE’s brands include:
- TV One
- Radio One
- Reach Media
- One Digital
- One Solution
- Cleo TV
- Madame Noire
With over 20 million visitors, Urban One is among the Black-owned media brands with the widest reach.
The Shade Room
Angelica Nwandu founded The Shade Room in 2014.
The media brand started as a platform to share the latest and hottest celebrity news.
However, it has become a community news platform letting readers express their opinions on relevant topics.
The Shade Room offers trending news, community news, and more to its 25 million+ readers, affectionately called “roommates.”
Carefree Mag
Carefree Mag is an online community offering a safe space for lovers, wandering souls, and dreamers.
It highlights stories from Black women on love, life, and adventure.
Carefree Mag portrays Black women as magical, beautiful, and whimsical and is an uplifting website for the target audience.
OkayAfrica
OkayAfrica is a site dedicated to African culture.
The brand aims to build an engaged global community by creating authentic content for the African diaspora.
With a diverse worldwide audience, OkayAfrica bridges African politics, art, style, music, and more.
MEFeater
MEFeater is a New York-based online magazine focusing on pop culture.
It features content related to fashion, music, and entertainment and caters to millennial women interested in the latest trends and social issues.
CRWN MAG
Published quarterly, CRWNMAG is a magazine for Black progressive thinkers.
The print magazine caters exclusively to Black women with thoughtful, relevant, and entertaining content.
The magazine doesn’t bank on celebrities–instead, it focuses on real Black women who are not dissociated from average life.
GROWN
GROWN is a media platform for Black women–it’s 100% Black women-owned and staffed.
GROWN gives Black women a safe space with inspiring stories and bold content.
GROWN is among the Black-owned media brands that Black women should subscribe to.
xoNecole
xoNecole is among the new Black-owned media brands.
It lets young Black women share their passions, culture, and life experiences.
Topics include:
- Relationship tips
- Politics
- Beauty
- News
- Careers
- Lifestyle
- Travel
Black Enterprise
Black Enterprise is the premier source for content related to wealth-building, investing, and business in the Black community.
If you want to elevate your career, Black Enterprise is among the essential Black-owned media brands to follow.
The brand was established in 1970 and has offered crucial business advice to Black decision-makers, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
Maxlo Media Group
Maxlo Media is among the younger Black-owned media brands catering to the Black community.
Its portfolio includes:
- Daily Rubber
- Emily Cottontop (yes, that’s us ?)
- Car Guy Speed Shop
- Mr. Cottontop
Maxlo Media informs, entertains, and inspires its audience through culturally relevant content.
Subscribe To These Black-Owned Media Brands
These media platforms and companies are a testament to the richness and diversity of Black culture.
They provide a space for Black voices to be celebrated and heard and inspire and empower Black communities.
As these Black-owned media brands continue to grow and evolve, we can look forward to even more impactful media celebrating our voices and experiences.
