Google is celebrating the fifth annual Black-Owned Friday with famous faces and bomb Black businesses.
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
Google’s Black Owned Friday continues to spotlight Black-owned businesses across the nation during one of the most popular shopping days of the year.
The tech giant is once again teaming up with prominent Black celebrities and influencers in partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. to reimagine Black Friday as Black-Owned Friday to inspire and encourage folks to shop their values and support Black-owned businesses this holiday season.
Previous campaigns featured Keke Palmer, Ludacris, Normani, T-Pain, and Flo Milli, and this holiday season, Google’s enlisting a comedian, a rapper, and a super influencer.
GloRilla, social media comedian and Google Pixel ambassador Druski, and entrepreneur and YouTube star Jayda Cheaves are leading this year’s initiative and starring in a short film.
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
Dubbed “A Day of Black-Owned Shopping with Druski, GloRilla, and Jayda Cheaves,” the short film, directed by Rodney Lucas, highlights Black-owned businesses in Atlanta.
Druski kicks things off at Ehl-Ahd’s Royal Crown Barbershop for a fresh cut before showing off his flexibility (or lack thereof) with GloRilla at The Wellness Spot, an “anchor in the community” founded by Dr. Valaurie Bridges Lee.
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
After working up a sweat, Druski grabs GloRilla a smoothie at Jeanette Sellers’ Wadada Health Market and Juice Bar, where he runs into Jayda Cheaves.
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
Ultimately, the group encourages people to search, shop, and support Black-owned each and every day.
Druski, GloRilla & Director Rodney Lucas Speak On The Importance of Black-Owned Friday
The group and director Rodney Lucas are excited for people to ensure Black-owned businesses thrive this holiday season.
“As an artist, I’m all about representing where I come from and supporting my community,” said GloRilla in a statement about the campaign. “Partnering with Google for Black-owned Friday is my way of showing love to Black entrepreneurs who are out here making big moves. Supporting Black-owned businesses is more than a moment—it’s a movement, it’s how we grow, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
“I enjoyed working with Google on Black-Owned Friday because it’s all about celebrating the greatness in our communities,” added Druski. “I’m a comedian, but this is serious business—spotlighting Black entrepreneurs and showing the power of supporting our own. It’s a cool way to remind folks that every choice we make can uplift the culture, and I’m here for that…plus who doesn’t love a good smoothie, shape-up, and yoga session? I’m more flexible than meets the eye (laughing emoji).”
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
As for Rodney Lucas, he reflected on the beginnings that led him to this cinematic moment that he describes as a cinematic “love letter” to Black businesses.
“Working with the Google Team on Black-Owned Friday spoke directly to the soul of who I am as a Director and the level of care, support, and vibrations of Black joy that carry our communities,” Rodney Lucas begins. “At age 7, my first job was sweeping floors in one of the longest-standing Black-Owned record shops on the South Side of Chicago. That experience built the foundation of everything I am today. Our fillm gave me the opportunity to respect, honor, and deliver a cinematic love letter to every Black-Owned business that helped propel my dreams. Black-Owned Friday is a moment to celebrate Black-owned businesses’ service, craftsmanship, and legacy worldwide, and I am grateful for the opportunity to add a chapter to this empowering and unifying campaign.”
Check out the Black-Owned businesses featured in Google’s 5th annual Black-Owned Friday campaign.
BUSINESS LOCATIONS
1.â Royal Crown Barbershop
2.â Wadada Health Market & Juice
3.â The Wellness Spot
FEATURED BRANDS & PRODUCTS
1. Marlie Mahogany– Natural Hair Care Product
2. EssenceTree– Wellness, Face & Body Products (Shopify)
3.â Natural Beauty Organics– Natural Hair Care (Shopify)
4.â Pretty Thuggish– Clothing (Shopify)
5.â Waydamin– Clothing (Shopify)
6.â Honey Beloved– Clothing and Jewelry
7.â Milano Di Rouge– Clothing (Shopify)
8.â Nourish Botanica- Florist & Nursery
9.â King’s Barber Parlor by Geno
10.â LaRayia’s Bodega – Smoothies (Shopify)
11.â MoreLyfe Juice Co – Smoothies & Juice Bar
