June 19th, 2025
Juneteenth Spotlight: Celebrating 4 Proud, Purposeful, and Black-Owned Businesses
Juneteenth, now recognized as a federal holiday, marks a pivotal moment in American history—the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day of reflection, celebration, and continued commitment to justice and equity.
As it falls during Pride Month, we are also reminded of the deep and lasting impact that Black and Brown activists have had in the fight for equality across movements.
At a2e, we believe that honoring Juneteenth also means actively supporting Black entrepreneurship. This year, we’re proud to spotlight a few of the incredibly talented, creative, and hardworking Black-owned businesses we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with. Their vision and dedication inspire us, and we are grateful to be part of their journey.
Here are our a2e staff picks!
01. Annika (Los Angeles, CA) – Elemental Bottles
Elemental Bottles is a Black- and Asian-owned brand in the promo world that nails both quality and communication. On top of that, they walk the talk when it comes to giving back—with 3% of profits going to impact programs and a partnership with Charity: Water to help bring clean water to those who need it most. Their mission? Creating reusable products that are good for the planet and people.
02. Anjelica (Washington, DC) – Sweet Lobby
We’ve absolutely loved working with Winnette and her team at The Sweet Lobby over the years. They have an amazing assortment of baked goods, but our favorite has got to be the macarons — perfectly made every time and each unique flavor really packs a punch! While they do deliver around DC, don’t pass up a chance to swing by their shop on Capitol Hill’s Barracks Row and take in all those sweet bakery scents.
03. Priscilla (Los Angeles, CA) – Mielle Organics
My pick for a Black-owned business is Mielle Organics. They’re a hair care line curated specifically for textured hair. I love their Rosemary Hair Oil, it’s been a game changer for me. After dealing with significant hair loss following COVID, this oil has really helped with my hair growth, and I now use it weekly as part of my hair routine!
04. Noah (Nashville, TN) – Stealth Bros & Co.
Stealth Bros Co. has long been one of my favorite brands—originally carving out space with much-needed dopp kits for medical supplies. Since then, founder and CEO Braxton Fleming has grown the line to include high-quality bags of all kinds, from dopp kits to backpacks. As a pioneering Black Trans man—and the first to appear on Shark Tank—Braxton continues to lead with purpose, channeling his values of inclusivity, empowerment, and innovation into action by providing grants to those seeking gender-affirming care.