It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 

As students, teachers, and their family members prepare for the upcoming school year, it is important to be intentional about the products that will be used to make this chapter the best one yet! From notebooks to writing utensils to grooming products, there is so much that goes into the average day for this generation of learners, which is why it is important to go toward the products designed with us in mind.

aspireTV is taking charge to ensure that you and your loved ones have everything needed to excel above and beyond ahead of the school season with the best school supplies from Black-owned companies. Whether you’re taking notes or coloring pictures this list has everything you need to go Black to school.

BE ROOTED

Founded by Jasmin Foster, this company was formed to create a space for women of color to see themselves in a place they hadn’t been, weaving culture into every design. From affirmation pens and melanated journals to lidded tumblers and stemless wine glasses, Be Rooted provides it all! 

BELLEN’S MORE THAN PEACH PROJECT

Bellen who was only 8 years old at the time, started this company to provide more inclusive and representative options for crayon colors when illustrating skin tone. At the time her classmates only recognized the peach crayon as a skin tone color, and instead of using the brown crayon to represent her shade, she decided to make the More Than Peach Project, which offers a variety of skin tone crayons and colored pencils

GREENTOP GIFTS 

The perfect gift wrap for all of life’s special occasions. Greentop Gifts has had its products featured on NBC News, people magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and more! They specialize in gift wraps, apparel, home décor, stationery items, and more! You’ll be well equipped for class celebrations with birthday to Christmas-themed products!

NIKNAX

NikNax provides stationery items for school, work, and personal use! They are one of the few companies to offer right-handed and left-handed notebooks whose covers feature historical black figures! They also offer buttons and fun greeting cards!

GOLDMINE & COCO 

This one is for all the planners out there! Founded by Felicia Jarrell in 2017, this brand was created with the mission to disrupt the stationery industry by creating a luxury brand that focuses on black women! Their calendars, planners, journals, note pads, and more include designs that highlight the multifaceted black woman. And it doesn’t stop there! You can also purchase digital versions of their supplies!

BROWN GIRL BAG COMPANY

Mona Shanell started this company with one goal in mind, to promote black positivity through custom bags! Her totes feature minimalistic yet gorgeous designs that you can’t miss out on. Brown Girl Bag Company also offers book-bags for girls and boys!

YOUNG KING HAIR CARE

Created to provide clean, natural hair care products for young men, Young King Hair Care includes products for treating, washing, and styling your hair!

MELANIN MEANINGS

Melanin Meanings has some of the best stationery items and custom pencils you can buy for affordable prices! They also offer custom Black Intercollegiate Greek Fraternity and Sorority items that will definitely make you stand out while taking notes!