Note: This article first appeared on UncoverLA and is shared with their permission in partnership with Los Angeleno. You can subscribe to UncoverLA for local retail, fashion and lifestyle news here.
Post 21 was created by Hilltop Coffee co-owner Blair Paysinger and her mother.
In the days following the Black Lives Matter demonstrations sparked by George Floyd’s murder, citizens around the world have re-examined their roles in perpetuating systemic racism and injustice. It’s clearly not an easy pill to swallow, and many are taking action by participating in protests, signing petitions, amplifying melanated voices, and committing to a “see something, say something” mantra if they witness discrimination and acts of hate.
Buying from local Black-owned brands has also become a form of activism. And so far, the many shopping guides and restaurant directories published far and wide are working. From Los Angeles to Philly to Boston and beyond, many Black entrepreneurs across the U.S. have reported a surge in sales and new customers. The next question: How to sustain that support for those business owners who are disproportionally affected by the pandemic and other hurdles?
Enter: L.A.-based online market Post 21, a new platform that showcases Black-owned brands encompassing fashion, beauty, home decor, and more. The marketplace was launched June 1 by Hilltop Coffee co-owner Blair Paysinger and her mother, Juana Williams. While the e-shop’s arrival is certainly timely, the concept had been brewing long before the recent protests, Paysinger tells UncoverLA.