June 23rd 2025.
With many large retailers cutting back on their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, Black-owned brands are facing the challenge of finding new places to sell their products. This is where Shop Red Bag comes in.
Shop Red Bag is an innovative online marketplace designed to support Black-owned businesses by encouraging consumers to spend their money in spaces that uplift and champion these brands. As companies like McDonald's, Target, and The Home Depot backtrack on their DEI policies and initiatives, media executive Candi Carter saw an opportunity to create a safe and welcoming platform for Black entrepreneurs. "When I saw the backlash online about these programs being rolled back or renamed, or companies giving in to political pressure, I knew I had to do something," Carter explained in an interview with The Grio. "As a small but mighty company, I wanted to be part of the solution."
Launched on Juneteenth, Shop Red Bag offers a wide range of products from 80 different Black-owned brands, including beauty products, workout gear, and seasonings. The platform has gained momentum and support from brands such as Copper and Brass Paper Goods, a stationery company, and Glamourina, an activewear line, who have used the hashtag #shopredbag to promote their products. "We want every customer to feel proud of their purchase and share it with the world," Carter emphasized. "By using the hashtag, we hope to spread the message that every dollar spent on a Black-owned business matters."
The need for platforms like Shop Red Bag became even more apparent when President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating DEI policies from federal agencies. This decision was followed by similar actions from corporations, causing outrage among Black customers. Target, in particular, faced significant backlash for its decision to scale back its support for Black-owned brands, despite previously being known for its efforts in this area. This sparked a 40-day boycott organized by civil rights and religious leaders such as Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jamal Bryant. The boycott has proven to be highly successful, with Target's revenue taking major hits quarter after quarter.
Carter, who previously worked as a producer for the Oprah Winfrey Show, expressed her admiration for Rev. Bryant and his impactful actions. "I truly believe that when we come together and support each other, we can achieve great things," she shared. "But we can't just rely on words and promises. We need to take action and support Black-owned businesses by changing our spending habits."
Apart from her successful career in the media industry, Carter is also known for her commitment to important causes. After struggling to find friends for her son, who was born with a rare chromosome abnormality, she founded a nonprofit called We've Got Friends. This organization provides a safe and welcoming space for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities to socialize and participate in fun and free programs. What started in Montclair, New Jersey, has now expanded to include groups in West Orange, Newark, Paterson, and Morristown.
In a time when Black-owned businesses are facing funding challenges, it is more important than ever to show support and uplift these entrepreneurs. Shop Red Bag and other platforms like it are making a significant impact in promoting diversity and inclusion in the business world. As Carter puts it, "We have the power to make a difference, and it's as simple as changing our shopping habits."
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
