Go Back to School in Style With School Supplies From Black-Owned Businesses

It’s not too late to shop these cool Black-owned businesses for school supplies your kids will love.

Photo: Shutterstock Prostock-studio

Growing up, the only thing that got me excited about going back to school after summer break was shopping. There’s nothing better than starting a new school year dripped in fresh swag – backpacks, lunch boxes and of course, new shoes.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Marvin Sapp Turns Viral Controversy Into A Song — But Not Everyone’s Praising Him

Although your kids might be sad about their summer coming to an end, you can help them get in the mood for a new year of learning with these dope school supplies from Black-owned brands that are sure to make them the coolest kids in class.

Brown Girls Stationery – Destinee Back-To-School Notebook

Photo: Screen Shot – BrownGirlsStationery.comPhoto: Screen Shot – BrownGirlsStationery.com

Kids can keep all of their notes in one adorable place with the Destinee Back-To-School Notebook from Brown Girls Stationery. Thirteen-year-old CEO Kamaria Warren launched the business in 2015 with her mom as a way to help more young girls of color feel seen. “When I would watch different Barbie movies, I always saw the different races, other than Barbie, like just being their sidekicks,” she told Now This in 2019. “So with our business, we make all different girls the main character.”

NikNax – Pencil Packs

Like most Black-owned businesses, NikNax was created out of necessity. Unable to find what they were looking for in the stationery space, they launched their own version of notepads, sticky notes, cards and more that speak to the culture. With sayings like “Melanated and Educated” and “Black Students Matter,” these pencils might actually make doing homework a lot more fun.

NikNax – Right Mind Notebook

In a world where just about everything is made for right-handed people, the folks at NikNax didn’t forget about the lefties. Their spiral notebooks for left-handers are just as stylish as they are functional.

Bellen’s More Than Peach – Creativity Pack Colored Pencil & Crayon Bundle

Photo: Screen shot – Target.comPhoto: Screen shot – Target.com

More than Peach was created back in 2019, by then 8-year-old, Bellen Woodard. The tiny CEO sought to add a more inclusive color palette to kids’ crayon boxes. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with her non-toxic colored pencil and crayon packs available at Target.

The Trini Gee – Black Teacher’s Lunch Bag

Photo: Screen shot – The Trini Gee/EtsyPhoto: Screen shot – The Trini Gee/Etsy

Let’s face it, teachers need school supplies too. We couldn’t resist this insulated Black Teacher’s Lunch Bag from The Trini Gee’s Etsy shop that celebrates all of the amazing Black educators molding young minds.

Lenie Alexis Designs – Personalized Pencil Box

Photo: Screen shot – Lenie Alexis Designs/EtsyPhoto: Screen shot – Lenie Alexis Designs/Etsy

You’ll never worry about your kid getting their pencil case mixed up with another classmate’s again with these personalized pencil boxes from Lenie Alexis Designs on Etsy. They come in 11 fun color choices and can be personalized with your child’s name.

Creative Soul Photography – 2-Pocket Folder Set

Photo: Screen shot – Creative Soul Photography/EtsyPhoto: Screen shot – Creative Soul Photography/Etsy

Never miss a teacher’s note or homework assignment again! The 2-Pocket Folder Pack from Creative Soul Photography’s Etsy shop will keep your kids’ important information in one place.

Brown Girl Bag Company – Book bag/Lunch bag Sets

A dope backpack can be a something of a schoolyard status symbol. And these customizable book bag/lunch bag sets from Brown Girl Bag Co. on Etsy are too cool for words. You can buy the backpack alone or include the lunch box for a matching set.

Pretty Dope Society – Water Bottles

Photo: Screen shot – Pretty Dope Society/EtsyPhoto: Screen shot – Pretty Dope Society/Etsy

Keep your kids hydrated with these adorable water bottles from Pretty Dope Society’s Etsy shop. With so many fun designs to choose from, it might be hard to pick just one. But who are we kidding? Kids go through so many water bottles in a school year, you’ll probably need a few.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Here's All You Need to Know About Why Our HBCUs Are So Beloved

Here’s All You Need to Know About Why Our HBCUs Are So Beloved

As concerns that Black youth aren’t exposed to HBCUs fester, here’s even more interesting facts about Black colleges that you probably didn’t know …
Rating Regina King's Most Successful Films

Rating Regina King’s Most Successful Films

From “Friday” to her Oscar-winning performance in “Ray,” Regina King has built one of the most powerful and versatile résumés in Hollywood. Here’s a look at the blockbuster films that define her iconic career …
Dr. King's Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on MLK Day

Dr. King’s Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on MLK Day

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, take a closer look at little known facts about the life and legacy of one of the most famous men in history …
Sade's Most Timeless Songs on Her 67th Birthday!

Sade’s Most Timeless Songs on Her 67th Birthday!

Sade’s music has maintained its potency decades after she burst onto the scene. This playlist delivers hits and sleepers that are definitely a vibe …
Olandria's Recent Red Carpet Slayings Prove She's Here to Stay!

Olandria’s Recent Red Carpet Slayings Prove She’s Here to Stay!

Olandria Carthen may have gained fame from ‘Love Island,’ but she’s clearly here to stay for a long time. Let’s talk about it! …
We Now Know the Shocking Truth of How Much Training ICE Agents Really Go Through

We Now Know the Shocking Truth of How Much Training ICE Agents Really Go Through

After an 120 percent ICE manpower increase, a new report revealed hundreds of agents were never properly trained …
Shannon Sharpe's New Look Has Black Women Feeling Some Type of Way

Shannon Sharpe’s New Look Has Black Women Feeling Some Type of Way

Shannon Sharpe has got the social media streets abuzz once again, but this time it’s for something positive. And boy, do women have some thoughts …
The Worst Examples of Black Women Celebs Being Publicly Mistreated

The Worst Examples of Black Women Celebs Being Publicly Mistreated

Black women have been unfairly talked about from everything from their hair to their financial status. Let’s take a look back at some of the worst moments! …
Why an Empathetic Black Reporter Sparked Backlash in Sports Media

Why an Empathetic Black Reporter Sparked Backlash in Sports Media

Recent interviews reveal double standard in how Black journalists are treated versus their white peers …
Wisconsin GOP Confuses 2 Black Democratic Candidates in Attack Ad -- and Catch Hell Over It

Wisconsin GOP Confuses 2 Black Democratic Candidates in Attack Ad — and Catch Hell Over It

Democrats– and social media users– are dragging Wisconsin Republicans after they confused the only two Black men running for governor …
Bernice King Calls On Black Church to Lead Ahead of MLK Day

Bernice King Calls On Black Church to Lead Ahead of MLK Day

EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Bernice King has never shied away from her father’s legacy. Now, decades after MLK’s death, she’s calling on the Black Church to pick up the slack …
Brian Austin Green Responds to Tichina Arnold Dating Reveal With a Heartbreaking Revelation

Brian Austin Green Responds to Tichina Arnold Dating Reveal With a Heartbreaking Revelation

Just two weeks after Tichina Arnold revealed she dated “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Brian Austin Green, the ’90’s heartthrob is now sharing his side of the story …
Oprah Winfrey Recalls When Joan Rivers Fat-Shamed Her

Oprah Winfrey Recalls When Joan Rivers Fat-Shamed Her

Oprah Winfrey’s weight has been a hot topic in pop culture for decades and now she’s reflecting on a truly uncomfortable moment …
All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

Nene Leakes in finally heading back to Bravo! And now, the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ alum is sharing her feelings about it …
Jill Scott Explains Why She 'Hated' This Memorable Scene in Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?'

Jill Scott Explains Why She ‘Hated’ This Memorable Scene in Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married?’

While many fans may have loved Jill Scott in ‘Why Did I Get Married,’ the talented singer doesn’t have too many fond memories of certain filming days …
A$AP Rocky Says His Mama Knew This About Rihanna ...

A$AP Rocky Says His Mama Knew This About Rihanna …

A$AP Rocky reflects on how Rihanna changed his life, and revealed that his mother knew she was the one years before he did …
New Report Reveals US Lost More Immigrants Than it Gained 1 Year Under Trump

New Report Reveals US Lost More Immigrants Than it Gained 1 Year Under Trump

For the first time in half a century, the U.S. experienced negative net migration under President Trump. Here’s what that means …
This Red State’s Only Predominantly Black Institution Is Set to Close Amid Financial Troubles

This Red State’s Only Predominantly Black Institution Is Set to Close Amid Financial Troubles

Just one year after Republican Gov. Mike Braun left Martin University out of the 2025–27 funding budget, the state’s only PBI is now facing permanent closure …
Dallas ICE Prosecutor Returns to Work After Racist Social Media Account Was Exposed

Dallas ICE Prosecutor Returns to Work After Racist Social Media Account Was Exposed

Last year, Congress called for the resignation of an ICE prosecutor after his anti-Black, antisemitic and anti-immigration tweets were exposed. But now he’s headed back to work …
4 Powerful Things to Do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026

4 Powerful Things to Do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026

MLK Day isn’t just a federal holiday that gets you a free day from work, but a call to action. Here’s four ways you can celebrate the day— before the brunches …