As we continue to celebrate black history month in the United States, it’s a good time to showcase black-owned tech platforms. Mobile apps are an essential part of our lives that help us manage daily tasks, go shopping, find love or find out about the latest happenings in any city. The founders of the companies below were inspired by their own experiences and wanted to create digital tools that support wellness, financial literacy, good times and more.
While you can tap Google or another search engine To find minority-owned businesses, we highlight six apps from black creators that can be used now and beyond February.
SoloFunds
SoLo Funds is a peer-to-peer lending platform that allows members to lend or borrow money from $20 to $575. Founded by Travis Holoway and Rodney Williams, the app launched in 2018 and has since surpassed 900 million users and $160 million in transactions.
Individuals can fund or repay loans at their discretion, and are vetted before becoming members. Users must have active bank accounts to participate as borrowers or lenders, and the platform uses a scoring system to help determine a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. Download for iOS or Android.
Exhale/Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson
Created by Katara McCarty, Exhale was designed as an emotional wellness app for Black, Indigenous, and women of color. Its content is intended to provide a calming and safe space for women dealing with stress, grief, microaggressions and other negative feelings.
The app features a beautiful layout with breathing exercises, meditations, guided visualizations, and recorded conversations to help lift your spirits. Click on a category to stream a meditation for compassion, learn a boxed breathing technique, and more. Users can also receive push notifications for claims. Exhale can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android devices without the interruption of ads.
Soko/Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson
Need a farmer’s market locator? Scroll through Soko’s listings of thousands of markets and individual vendors in cities across the United States. The app lets you search for farmers markets within 20, 50, or 100 miles based on your current location, home address, or city of choice. You can also search for vendors by name. Users can shop ahead of time by placing pre-orders from vendors in their area and set up digital payments, including SNAP benefits.
Soko was created by the same team of developers behind Ujama, a social media network founded by Hugh Molotsi that connects locals through friendships, dating, and provides a marketplace. Soko is free to download on Android and iOS devices.
EatOkra/Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson
Foodies looking to discover black-owned restaurants should download EatOkra, a directory that features a variety of cuisines, including vegan, Caribbean and breakfast dishes. Started by Brooklyn residents Anthony and Janique Edwards, the app includes restaurants, food trucks and food brands in communities across the country.
Type in a city or use the app’s location feature to find where to eat in your area. EatOkra also lets you click on a food category to view listings or make recommendations to add local restaurants and bars. You’ll also see restaurant hours and a market to buy items like bottled sauces or cookies. Download on Android on iOS devices.
kiddie credit
Launched by Evan Leaphart, the Kiddie Kredit app teaches kids about credit and good financial habits. The app is aimed at kids ages 4-12 and tracks household chores, allowing kids to earn points for tasks they complete like homework, mowing the lawn, or cleaning their room. The point system uses a scale of 1 to 100 and works like a FICO credit score. Parents can choose to reward their children with money or another incentive. Families can download the app for free on iOS and Android devices.
Melanin on the map
Melanin on the Map is a travel app for people of color with a global community of over 45,000 travel enthusiasts. Founded by Ashley McDonough, it serves as an information hub where you can find deals, destination information (and inspiration), travel tips, and travel opportunities for those looking to earn an income.
The app is also a social network where users can connect with travel agents or vacation friends who want to explore new adventures. In 2021, Melanin on the Map introduced its Travel Bae and Travel Bestie feature, which is designed to match users with love interests or potential friends. As of this writing, the app is available for Android.
