The tech world has long been chastised for its lack of diversity, particularly in terms of black people’s representation. Yet, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of Black owned apps that not only provide unique solutions but also empower Black communities around the world. In this essay, we’ll look at some of the best Black-owned applications and the impact they have.
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The Importance of Black Owned Apps
Many people have resorted to supporting Black-owned companies to help reduce the racial injustice and inequality highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement. In the software industry, Black owned apps have emerged to disrupt the existing status quo and provide more innovative solutions. These apps not only empower Black entrepreneurs, but they also address the specific issues that Black people face in society.
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10 Top Black Owned Apps You Need To Download Now
Calendly
The first on our list Black owned apps is Calendly. Calendly is a scheduling program that helps users effortlessly schedule and organize meetings, interviews, and appointments. The app was launched in 2013 by Tope Awotona, a Nigerian immigrant to the United States, and has developed dramatically in recent years to the point where it’s utilized by individuals and businesses worldwide.
Calendly has committed to social justice by giving free scheduling tools to organizations that support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Goodr
Goodr is a food waste management company that re-distributes excess food to people in need to reduce food waste and tackle food insecurity. Founded in 2017 by Jasmine Crowe, it has received recognition for its creative approach to solving food waste.
The company has also collaborated with several organizations and businesses to offer meals to those impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Squire
Squire is a barbershop management and booking software that lets users schedule appointments and helps owners easily manage their barbershops.
Songe LaRon founded this Black-owned app in 2016. It has expanded fast in recent years and is known for its creative approach to barbershop management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it gave assistance and supplies to Black-owned barbershops.
EatOkra
EatOkra is a mobile app that assists users in discovering and supporting Black owned eateries in their neighborhoods. Founded in 2016 by Anthony and Janique Edwards, it has received praise for supporting Black-owned companies and encouraging users to support local communities.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, EatOkra offered tools and assistance to black-owned restaurants.
WeBuyBlack
WeBuyBlack is an online shopping site that allows consumers to find and buy products from Black-owned businesses. Founded in 2015 by Shareef Abdul-Malik, the site has been acknowledged for its work in encouraging economic empowerment and assisting Black-owned businesses.
Read also: What It’s Really Like Being Black in Tech
We Read Too
Source: We Read Too
We Read Too is a mobile app that assists users in discovering and reading books written by people of color. Founded by Kaya Thomas, it strives to promote diversity and inclusion in literature by highlighting books by authors of color.
We Read Too promotes representation and understanding among communities by offering a forum for readers to explore different literature. The app was established in 2014.
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Sworkit
Sworkit is a fitness app that generates tailored training regimens for individuals depending on their fitness goals and equipment availability. It was released in 2012 by Ryan Hanna and Gregory Coleman and has amassed over 5 million downloads on Google Play Store. It has been featured in publications including The Wall Street Journal and Forbes.
Shine
Shine is a self-care software that gives daily positive messages and meditations to assist users in reducing stress and anxiety. Created by Marah Lidey and Naomi Hirabayashi in 2016, it has been highlighted in media outlets such as the New York Times and Forbes. The app was also selected as one of Apple’s top applications for 2020.
Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls is a mental health app that connects black women who need help with resources and services. The software was created in 2014 by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a professional psychologist from Atlanta, Georgia and has been featured in the New York Times and Essence magazine.
Iroko TV
Iroko TV is a streaming service that provides a wide range of Nollywood films and TV shows. The app, created in 2011 by Jason Njoku and Bastian Gotter, has been termed the “Netflix of Africa” and is credited with helping improve Nollywood films’ global popularity.
It has over 5 million downloads on Google Play Store alone and has received coverage from sites such as Forbes and Reuters.
How Black Owned Apps Are Empowering Black Communities
Black-owned apps are playing an important role in strengthening Black communities worldwide. Here are a few examples of how these apps are making a difference:
Economic Empowerment
Black-owned apps are generating revenue for Black entrepreneurs and enterprises. Apps like WeBuyBlack and EatOkra serve to promote a more equal and varied economy by providing a platform for Black owned companies to sell their products and services.
Environmental Impact
Food waste and its environmental consequences are being addressed through black-owned applications such as Goodr. Goodr helps feed those in need while minimizing the quantity of food that ends up in landfills by linking surplus food with local charities and non-profit groups.
Business Management
Black-owned apps like Squire are assisting Black entrepreneurs in streamlining their business management processes. Squire helps barbershops and other companies save time and boost productivity by providing tools for booking and managing appointments.
Education and Representation
By highlighting books by authors of color, black-owned applications such as We Read Too promote diversity and inclusion in literature. We Read Too promotes community representation and understanding by offering a forum for readers to explore different literatures.
Social Impact
Apps owned by Black people are also making a difference in societal concerns affecting Black people. Calendly, for example, has aided racial justice by providing free scheduling tools to organizations affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Takeaway
The rise of Black-owned apps not only provides new solutions but also empowers Black communities in a variety of ways.
These apps are making a difference and disrupting the status quo in a variety of ways, including by creating economic opportunity, having an environmental effect, and fostering diversity and inclusion.
Promoting Black owned apps is an important step toward encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion in the digital industry and elsewhere.
People also read: 10 Black Female UX Designers You Should Follow
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