Yes, Kentucky has been home to many Kick Ass Black visionaries who have changed the world. And yes, Black Kentuckians make Kentucky Kick Ass all day every day. Check out these Black artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations you can support right here at KY for KY!
BUY BLACK : KENTUCKY ARTISTS & ENTREPRENEURS
Not Picasso
Cheyenne Coffey, owner of Not Picasso, hails from Louisville KY where they co-own a small boutique called Barret Babes. From the first moment we started stocking Not Picasso's coolest, cutest, and biggest earrings, ranging from iridescent Lunar Moths to shiny Irises to pearlescent Chickens 'n' Eggs, they've been flying off our shelves. It wasn't long after we started our relationship that Cheyenne suggested a collaboration on Cocaine Bear-themed products. "Abso-freaking-lutely Thrilled" is an understated way to describe how we feel about this relationship! Swing by to find exclusive Not Picasso Pablo Escobear earrings (and ornaments, during the holidays!).
Treats By Trent
Not only have we been partnering with Trent on some kick ass food content (check out Trent Tries It on TikTok), we've been keeping the Fun Mall stocked with their yummiest candied popcorns under the name Treats By Trent. From the Apple Brandy to Spiced Whisky to Black Magic (infused with edible gold flakes!) these Caramel Corn treats provide the perfect amount of crunch while delivering that melt-in-your mouth buttery goodness!
Ties Like This
If you're looking for artfully-designed, beautifully-crafted, one-of-a-kind bow ties hand made in Lexington KY, look no further than Ties Like This. Made by sewest and entrepreneur, Antwuan Fondren, these ties are perfect for your big event, a night on the town, a day at the races, or for elevating your every day look. Going to try not to make you too jealous here but you need to know this: Antwuan is also on the production team at KY for KY and all of us who work here get to be anointed daily by his humor, laughter, and golden singing voice!
SUPPORT BLACK : KENTUCKY ORGANIZATIONS
SoulFeast Week
Now in its third year, SoulFeast Week, June 16-25, 2023, will elevate Black businesses in the Bluegrass on bite at a time with the annual Soulteenth Fest and Black Restaurant Week. Last year, KY for KY partnered with SoulFeast for merchandise and promotion and you can bet your biscuits we're partnering again this year! Be on the look out for merch and grab tickets to events during the week for this ten-day celebration of black culinary culture highlighting black restaurants, farmers, and chefs in Central Kentucky!
Chui's Ice Cream & Soda Pop Shop
Who doesn't love a splashy CRUSH design that references both ice cream and soda pop? For every Crush T-Shirt you purchase, 100% of its net proceeds goes directly to Chui's Ice Cream & Soda Pop Shop. An African-owned business in Lexington, KY, this shop continues the legacy of our friend, Cubaka “Chui” Mutayongwa, and his passion for community building.
Explore Kentucky
Founded in 2013 by Gerry Seavo James, the Explore Kentucky Initiative is a Black-owned and led outdoor oriented social enterprise dedicated to inspiring Kentuckians and visitors to the Commonwealth to engage in an active lifestyle fueled by outdoor adventure while preserving the natural resources of our 120 counties.
A percentage of the sale of the Explore Kentucky T-Shirt & Sticker Collection will go to the development of Explore Kentucky's outdoor equity fund, which will support projects that promote positive health outcomes, inclusivity, diversity, and leadership in Kentucky’s outdoors with focus on Black, brown, immigrant, and refugee populations.
>>> SHOP THE EXPLORE KENTUCKY COLLECTION <<<