The economic initiative is in partnership with Brothers of The Desert.
Even before the pandemic devasted hundreds and thousands of small and medium-sized businesses, African-Americans and other entrepreneurs of color face unique obstacles to success including access to capital, building a support network, even being taken seriously. In Coachella Valley, a community just outside of Los Angeles that includes Palm Springs is looking to level the playing field by giving shoppers from Palm Desert to La Quinta the opportunity to support African-American business by buying black.
The Coachella Valley Black Business Listing from Brothers of The Desert includes a listing of over 100 businesses owned and operated by people of color. The straightforward no-frills list will be maintained by the equity-centered Icon City Digital ( a creative marketing and management company supporting entrepreneurs, government institutions, and non-profits that serve underrepresented communities.
(Screenshot of listing, click to visit www.brothersofthedesert.org)
Filling The Void
A simple google search for "black businesses in Coachella Valley" returns a few well-intentioned articles and landing pages. The Southern California Black Chamber of commerce for example has a landing page for Palm Springs with little to no information on local businesses.
In June of 2020 following the national protest against systematic and institutionalized racism directed at black Americans; the Palm Spring Desert Sun featured an article highlighting a handful of black entrepreneurs and their wishes for shoppers to understand that "Just because it's black-owned doesn't mean it's black only,"
If you are aware of a licensed black business that is not listed and you would like it to appear on this
listing or if you would like for your business to be removed please send the information to info@brothersofthedesert.org. BOD Has No association with any other list. We thank you for your support of BOD and our efforts to serve the community in a powerful, uplifting way.", BOD or its affiliates do not advocate and are not responsible for the quality of services provided by the listed business.
Icon City Digital is a boutique agency providing web design, online advertising, and other digital marketing services. Visit www.iconcity.net/digital to schedule a consultation.
