African Americans comprise 7% of tech jobs. While the ratio is low, there is no doubt Black people are highly talented. All we need is an opportunity and we can excel in any industry.
Our community needs more support from our own people. We need to support Black-owned businesses to improve the financial equation of the community. Similarly, when trying out different mobile apps, it’s important to support Black-owned apps.
You may have a plethora of apps on your smartphone. But do you know how many of them are developed by African American developers?
There are a few apps that can help you find Black-owned businesses you can support. But there aren’t any well-known apps that can help you find Black owned apps. So, we have prepared a list of such apps by aspiring developers. Don’t forget to download and support them!
1. Blapp
Supporting small businesses in the community helps increase household income. You may want to find Black-owned small to medium-sized businesses across the country. Did you know Blapp can make this search easier for you?
Jon Laster is a talented Black man from New York. And he is the founding CEO of Blapp.
The app made waves with its unique features. You can install the app on your smartphone to identify and support Black-owned businesses. Also, you can search for specific products by those vendors. And when you like something, you can share the product or business with your contacts too.
Isn’t that wonderful?
2. EatOkra
The specialty of Black food is unmatched. You may visit your favorite restaurant every time you’re craving delicious cuisine. But what if you want to be adventurous? Then you may want to try out different foods.
The smart idea of EatOkra made it one of the most popular Black-owned apps on the App Store and Google Play. The app can help you look for food items from Black-owned restaurants. Now you can access menus of over 9,000 Black-owned restaurants, cafés, and food trucks with your phone.
African American entrepreneurs are making it big in the industry. EatOkra has collaborated with big names such as Pepsi and Bud Light, to name a few.
3. Goalsetter
Goalsetter is a Black-owned financial app of its kind. The app makes it hassle-free to save and invest for financial freedom. It caters to not only adults, but teens and kids as well.
Whether you want to save for a house, car, or other expenses, you can do so by setting goals. With its quiz feature, youngsters can obtain financial literacy. Then you can take the first step towards financial freedom. The app works as a charm to start learning early and improve your finances.
This is why the money app got the award for the best personal finance product of 2022 from Fintech.
4. Liberate
The CEO and Founder of Liberate launched the app in 2018. It promotes mental health education designed especially for the Black community.
We are more likely than most other communities to develop psychological distress. But talking about mental health is still a stigma. It’s about time we talk about this topic more to raise awareness.
Liberate is serving the purpose by bringing mental health consultation to your fingertips. So, you can join the community of 100,000+ people to manage stress and anxiety. Its daily meditation feature can help you sleep better and improve your quality of life.
5. Swivel
Locating a hair salon that can cater to your specific needs is quite a challenge. And your day gets ruined if you visit a salon that ends up ruining your beautiful hair.
Thankfully, Jennifer Lambert and Jihan Thompson came up with the idea to develop Swivel. The app is instrumental in helping users find hair stylists that know how to work with textured hair. Despite not being tech experts, the founders started working on the idea.
With plenty of happy users, Swivel has become one of the leading Black owned apps. And it’s now making its name in the digital world.
6. Tetragram
Medical cannabis has long been in use to manage painful symptoms of chronic health conditions. Thus, 37 states in the US have legalized its use for medical purposes. Unfortunately, very little information is available about its preferred consumption method. So, patients have to rely on the trial-and-error method to find out what works best for their individual needs.
The idea behind Tetragram was to create an app where people can journal their treatment journey. This way, they can get the most out of their medication and live healthier lives.
Otha Smith is a talented and skilled marketing professional. Also, he is a community member of the African American app developers. So, the CEO of Tetragram came up with this digital solution to add value to patients that rely on cannabis.
7. Tone House TV
Regular workout is the key to staying fit and healthy. You may have lost the habit of going to the gym during the pandemic. Now, let’s rebuild that positive habit with Tone House TV.
The app gives you access to a wide range of workout routines. So, you can choose a custom routine and begin training at home. World-class coaches and trainers can help you get in shape. And the best thing is that you can opt for a free 14-day trial before paying the membership fee.
That’s a steal!
8. Altro
Building personal credit is the key to building a secure financial future. You can qualify for loans and get a good insurance premium rate with a high credit score. But not everyone knows how to build credit.
Altro is another innovative app by Black-owned app developers. With this powerful tool, you can build your credit on a daily basis. For this purpose, it guides you about suitable payment strategies. Also, the app equips users with financial knowledge with the help of informative videos.
Final Thoughts
A myriad of Black-owned apps are available online. But they don’t often get the recognition they deserve. We can support them by downloading the apps and promoting them in our social circle.
Feel free to share with us which apps you have downloaded and how was your experience!