Did you know that a dollar circulates in the Asian-American community for more than a month before leaving and in the Jewish-American community for more than 20 days, enriching those groups with wealth and job security, but leaves the African-American community in just 6 hours, perpetuating the cycle of black joblessness and poverty? Shocking stat for sure, but can you remember the last time you bought from a black-owned business?

Here are 4 easy ways you can support black wealth and job creation right now:

1. Discover black-owned businesses. If you don’t know where the businesses are, it’s hard to support them. Luckily, there are some great apps out there, such as Tuloko, that you can download to find black-owned businesses in your area.

2. Make it easy. Like online shopping? Ditch the old standbys and bookmark Sundry Style, a site that features gorgeous, expertly made clothing and accessories by black fashion designers. The site offers the customer service you’d expect from Nordstrom with the personal touch you’d get at your local black-owned bookstore, not to mention free shipping and easy returns.

3. Surprise yourself. Subscription services such as Ujamaa Box deliver a range of products by black creators directly to your mailbox each month. You’re almost certain to get several products in each box that would have never been on your radar, but are now among your must-haves.

4. Spread the word. If you know of an amazing black-owned business, don’t keep it to yourself! Spread the word on social media and Yelp to help the business continue to survive and thrive.

Have any other tips for supporting black-owned businesses? Share them in the comment section below and then share this post with your friends and family. Together, the Blavity community has the brainpower and buying power to make sure #blackdollarsmatter.

On Saturday, May 21st, we’re hosting our inaugural conference about how creativity and technology are changing our daily lives, from our hobbies to our work. Will you be joining us? Tickets here. Use code blavityfam.

Here are 4 easy ways you can support black wealth and job creation right now:

On Saturday, May 21st, we’re hosting our inaugural conference about how creativity and technology are changing our daily lives, from our hobbies to our work. Will you be joining us? Tickets here. Use code blavityfam.

READ NEXT: EmpowerHer speaker Feminista Jones pushes the button on purpose, celebrating your body and sexual freedom

Sundry Style

Writing since May 2016 · 1 story contributed