For the month of February, in recognition of Black History Month, I’m focused on highlighting black and person-of-color owned businesses. In addition to donating to social justice organizations and educating yourself, purchasing from these businesses is one of the most powerful actions you can take to support the community. Not only can your money help small businesses grow, but it puts the power directly into the hands of creators, employees, and consumers.

Tara’s February Finds:

What I’m Wearing:

Sandhya Garg: At 10 years old, Sandhya began designing clothes - through the years, she’s developed a love for fashion. Her collections are a combination of beautiful textiles, Indian heritage craft and a hip approach to fashion design for the modern woman. She combines effortless design with her own unique prints. The brand encompasses a truly vibrant collection of wearable pieces, like this gorgeous velvet dress I unboxed below - click here to join our giveaway!

Queen Adeline: Queen Adeline creates wearable art that seeks to celebrate the pattern and color of African textiles. Each piece is unique, hand made, functional, and designed especially for women on the go. Her focus is on sustainability and timeless silhouettes, as you can see by this gorgeous kimono I’m wearing. Perfect for women who want a statement piece to add to their closet, Queen Adeline’s creations allow you to live artfully and make memorable fashion moments!

Lalla Bee: Founded by international designer Melina Cortes-Nmili, her road to fashion has been anything but conventional. Frustrated with the latest fads, Melina had a vision to make timeless clothing that never goes out of style but is luxurious and contemporary at the same time. I wore the statement Lolita dress below, styled with a stand-out heel for a pop of color! Add fun accessories and bright clutch to turn heads this spring.

What I’m Listening To:

If you haven’t heard yet, we started a podcast! My dear friend and mentor Jill Kravetz and I have launched our podcast, Shorts: a bite sized show that blends business and fashion. We bring you practical tips and strategies in a shorter format than a typical podcast. Our latest episode is focused on our favorite black-owned businesses and designers and highlights some amazing organizations that you can support during Black History Month. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Where I’m Eating:

MIDA: Located in Boston’s historic South End, MIDA is owned by renowned chef Douglass Williams. Recently named by Food & Wine as one of the top 10 Best New Chefs in America 2020, Douglass always finds a place to cook no matter where he goes. From Paris and Thailand to New York and Boston, fifteen years of global experience informs every meal he makes for you. MIDA serves Italian-influenced cuisine and focuses on highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients. Stop by this trendy spot and support the only Black chef-owned restaurant in Boston.

Photos sourced from OpenTable.