Updated: Apr 19, 2022
Hey, sweets!
I hope you all have had an amazing holiday weekend. As promised, I'm here to share some of my small business faves and social media influencers/creators that I feel deserve to be recognized for their hard work. To know me is to know that I will always put my tribe on. If I eat, we all eat. And without any further introduction, here's a hefty list of even MORE amazing people to support.
Kay Akerele
The owner of the latest Black-owned clothing brand, Polish Fits. He focuses on providing effortless drip through stand out staple clothing items. Through social media, you will find that he loves to express his creativity & uniqueness through his personal style.
Instagram: @broadwaykay
Website: polishfits.com
Zana Allen
A holistic healer & tarot reader that encourages wellness & self-improvement/-healing with her gentle energy & thorough services (Tarot with Zana Allen). She is the embodiment of "health is wealth," and remains authentic in her journey through her social media platforms.
Instagram: @epitomeoftarot
Website: epitomeofwoman.com
Flex
A body positivity advocate, creative director, personal shopper/stylist & visual artist based in D.C. that has created a movement entitled #RealBodiesMatter through his social media platforms. He uses his platform & his voice to encourage Black women to embrace their God-given beauty.
Instagram: @flexessories, @habeebfits
Website: flexessories.bigcartel.com
Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes is a Prince George's County-based painter. He creates and hosts paint and sip events that provide a creative outlet for all artistic levels. He accepts personal requests & makes sure that your vision is brought to life.
Instagram: @aye_rydollasign
Kiersten Bouldin Better known as Kiersten Lynn, Kiersten is a freelance, pro makeup artist based in Prince George's County, MD. She enhances her clients features through flawless & precise makeup applications, and gives them each an effortless glow.
Instagram: @kierstenlynn.mua
Website: kierstenlynnmua.com
Jasmine Bynum
The owner of one of the newest beauty brands in Prince George's County, MD, Bynum Beauty. Jasmine is a dual-licensed esthetician & makeup artist who provides confidence boosting beauty services. Her makeup applications are seamless, professional & natural every time.
Instagram: @bynumbeautyllc
Shaughn Cooper A celebrity/local photographer based in the DMV, and creative director for Ari Lennox. He uses his gift of being behind the lens to highlight every day life, events, and his subject's features. He's an advocate for personal & professional growth in his community. I had the honor of being in front of his lens for my maternity shoot in 2018, and I am eternally grateful for the experience to this day.
Instagram: @shaughncooper
Website: linktr.ee/shaughncooper
Dominique Davenport
A DMV based hairstylist that specializes in natural hair & protective styling. She is a true go-getter, an amazing mother, and one of the very few people I trust with my tresses. I'm a huge fan of herShe never misses a beat!
Instagram: @_divinedesignsbydomi_
Jay Edwards
Jay Edwards' brand, In God's Time, is a faith-inspired clothing line with timeless fashion pieces.
Twitter: @TheAlmightyJay_
Website: ingodstime.shop
Roxene Edwards
Her brand, VIRTUE Home Essentials, is a luxury handmade soy candle brand designed for the true homebodies, design lovers, and candle fanatics. The brand's purpose is to complete your perfect self care moment.
Instagram: @virtuessentials
Website: virtuessentials.com
Alex Grimes
Better known as Alex Simone, A DMV-based photographer & my older cousin who's strong suit in this forever growing field is portrait photography. She effortlessly delivers photographs that will last for a lifetime.
Instagram: @alexsimonephoto
Website: alexsimonephoto.com
Jaya Griffin
A fellow Virgo & chef based in North Carolina that shares her passion for baking, cooking & creating innovative dishes/recipes through social media. The Whisk Appeal Bake Shop features gourmet brownies & other sweet treats that I can confidently say I am obsessed with. I love to give this woman my coins!
Instagram: @jayacancook
Briana Holmes
A family friend that's basically my family but to the social media world, she is best known as the founder of Nylon & Sugar, a space where glamour meets motherhood & melanin. From sharing her favorite cosmetics to her day-to-day life with her beautiful daughter, you can't help but to connect with her positive spirit.
Instagram: @nylonandsugar
Blanche Howard
The face & owner of BeInspiring, Inc. Blanche is a body positivity coach that uses her social media platform to promote health & wellness. With her undeniable confidence, she also uses her voice to speak on social injustices, political matters and creating safe spaces.
Instagram: @beinspiringinc
Noelle D. Johnson
An artist and healer that focuses on development, growth, and healing in the Black community. She provides guidance through chakra balancing mantras and encourages artistic/spiritual practices through personal workshops.
Instagram: @warmweathernoelle
Website: warmweathernoelle.com
Khristian LaRoche
A personal and private catering chef based in Prince George's County, MD. Every meal she creates is made from the heart & has soul in every bite. She is available via direct messages on Instagram, email, and text.
Instagram: @_rationalk
Simone Miles
Simone is a dear friend of mine that enjoys connecting with friends and strangers on her podcast called, Nice to Meet You. She delves into life experiences and lessons with each of her guests. I love her honesty, here humor, and the healthy discussions that she provides. I've had the opportunity to be a guest and guest host on her podcast, and I hope she's down to have me again soon!
Instagram: @ntmypodcast
Website: ntmypodcast.com
Jonice Moody
Jonice is a Maryland-based fashion blogger that specializes in styling the everyday curvy girl. The prices are affordable, and the product is always on trend. Her clothing ranges from sizes 14 to 24.
Instagram: @soacurvygirl
Website: linktr.ee/soacurvygirl
Elaine Ramallosa
A Filipina, self-taught makeup artist based in Maryland. She's not afraid to step outside of the box with bold colors and statement looks. Her bubbly personality is easy to connect to and makes your experience with her worthwhile.
Instagram: @elainermua
Kelci Reedy
Many of you know her as the administrator of The MonAlicia Bakes but to ME, she is my big sister, first best friend & right-hand. She is a DMV-based food blogger & photographer that is all about the TRUE foodie experiences. She documents her creativity (and love for French toast) & real life experiences/travels through her social media platforms. She is authentic, down-to-earth & deserves all of the recognition in the world. And for my customers: PLEASE thank her for assisting me & helping me make my brand what it is today. If it’s not me, Kelci is the one that ensures that you all receive the most perfect orders.
Instagram: @foodishways, @kelci.michelle
Website: appleofmyeye.me
Ariana Simoni
An Anne Arundel County-based candle creator and tarot reader that promotes self love and chakra healing through her social media platforms. She is the owner of the brand, Witchy Organics, where she also sells candles and crystals and provides her readings. Ariana is outspoken, unapologetic, and consistently vibrates positively.
Instagram: @witchyorganics19
Website: witchyorganics.bigcartel.com
Cheyante Smith
A loctician and natural hairstylist based in Prince George's County, MD. She brings life to all loc lengths.
Instagram: @loclovin.xhy
Website: loclovindmv.booksy.com
Kiara Walker
Better known as Kutz the Barber, Kiara is a fierce female barber based in D.C. who provides the cleanest cuts and the smoothest fades to every client that sits in her chair.
Instagram: @kutztheebarber
Website: book.thecut.co/fadedkutz
Tahjai Ward
My cousin that's based in Prince George's County, MD that creates graphic t-shirts with faith-based messages. She uses her platform to encourage others during her spiritual journey.
Instagram: @tahjtees
Website: tahjtees.com
LaShawn White
A lion-hearted spirit with the sweetest soul & the owner of the new Edenism Tea Shop. Edenism Tea Shop is Black woman-owned, holistic brand that promotes wellness & balancing Feminine energy/health through aromatherapy candles, aromatic tea blends & handmade chocolate.
Instagram: @eden.ism
Website: edenismteashop.com
Charlee
A down-to-earth professional body piercer based in Prince George's County, MD. She makes appointments via direct messages on Instagram.
Instagram: @lee.piercer
Eating With Krissy
A DMV foodie & recipe developer that shares her nurturing spirit & love for her family with her social media followers. To know Krissy is to know that you will always have a good laugh & will pick up on something good to make or eat. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she created a vinaigrette line & ecookbook.
Instagram: @eatingwithkrissy
Pollymetics
A Georgia-based, Black-owned skincare line that is natural skincare made simple and affordable. Skincare tips are always provided, and the customer reviews speak true to the power of the product.
Instagram: @pollymetics
Website: pollymetics.com
Ray
My personal tattoo artist! Ray is responsible for the majority of the art that is on my body, and he will remain my No. 1! Located in Anne Arundel County, MD, he provides exceptional service in the most relaxed environment. I'm honored to be a client of his.
Instagram: @smk410
Saddie Baddies
A virtual safe space for young women of color that seek healing and more positive mental health. Priscilla O. Agyeman, MPH encourages young women to embrace their power while continuing to find the beauty in their vulnerability. I'm grateful to have been featured and given the space to share a part of my story.
Instagram: @saddie_baddies
Slays by Gabby
Gabby is based in Prince George's County, MD and is the self-proclaimed Jane of all Trades. From natural protectives styles to her handcrafted cocktails and home-cooked meals, she’s able to bring you the ultimate self care experience.
Instagram: @slaysbygabby, @gabshappyhour, @giftfromgabskitchen
TayLocz
The self-proclaimed protective style queen & loc artist based in Prince George's County, MD. From beginning to end, she provides some of the best service I've ever received. She makes sure that the incense is burning, the snacks are on deck, and that a good Netflix show is on while you receive the fastest and most efficient experience of your life.
Instagram: @taylocz
I hope one or more of my small business and influencer faves find you well. I hope you all found an influencer that you connect with and support their vision/purpose. I kindly ask that when you support the small business listed, that you give them the grace and patience they deserve. We do everything we can to make you happy with our products. I will be continuously adding favorites to this list so you know who's worth investing in now and for the days to come.
Alicia <3