How To Turn The Momentum of The Boycotts Into Lasting Change

If you were one of the many who joined recent efforts like the Feb. 28 Economic Blackout and the Target Fast because you wanted your spending to reflect your values, this is for you. The fight isn’t over just because those moments have passed. In fact, this is where we shift from moment to movement. 

If you still care about economic justice, you still want to shop ethically, and you’re serious about building a better system, keep reading. Let’s talk about how we keep showing up so we can turn this momentum into a daily practice, a community mindset, and ultimately, lasting change that’s reflected in how and where we spend our money.

1. Turn Boycotts Into Buycotts

Boycotting is about saying no, but “buycotting” is about saying yes. It’s about intentionally directing your dollars toward businesses that align with your values, especially Black-owned ones. This is how you create change: by redistributing your everyday spending to businesses that actually deserve it.

Start small. Instead of grabbing your toothpaste and oral care products from a chain store, find an alternative Black-owned brand in a Black business directory like Buy From A Black Woman.

There’s a Black entrepreneur doing exactly that, ethically and with purpose.

Make spending your money with them a habit.

Download Your BFABW Checklist

2. Do a Personal Spending Audit

Open your bank statement and look at where your money really went last month. Now ask yourself:

• How many of those businesses reflect my values?

• How many reinvest in communities like mine?

If the answer isn’t many, that’s your cue to shift. Start with one category, maybe groceries, beauty, or wellness, and commit to redirecting at least 50% of your spending in that area to Black-owned or ethical brands.

Once that becomes routine, choose another category. Keep going until your dollars and your values match up.

3. Look Beyond the Product

Supporting ethical businesses isn’t just about what’s on the shelf, it’s about how that business operates: 

• Are they giving back to the community? 

• Are they sustainable? 

• Are they hiring Black people, paying fair wages, and mentoring the next generation?

• 
  

These things matter. When you shop consciously, you’re not just investing in a product, you’re investing in a set of values. Consider this when you’re doing your Personal Spending Audit.

4. Keep the Conversation Going

Change doesn’t happen quietly. Talk to your people. When you find a dope Black-owned brand, share it, post it, gift it, and tag the business. Word of mouth is still one of the strongest tools we have.

You don’t need a huge platform to make a difference, just a willingness to speak up. When we normalize talking about conscious consumerism, we make it easier for others to do the same.

5. Tap Into Community to Help You Stay Committed

You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re serious about shifting how you spend, being in community with people who share your values makes it that much easier to stay the course.

Whether it’s joining a local co-op, showing up at a pop-up, or being part of an online space like Buy From A Black Woman, staying connected helps you remember your why and reminds you that you’re not the only one doing the work.

This Is How We Build Power

The goal was never just to stop spending. It was to start shifting power. So shop like your dollars matter because they do. Support Black businesses like your future depends on it, because it does.

This is about more than just buying; it’s about making sure our money circulates in our communities, our values show up in our receipts, and our power doesn’t get paused just because the headlines fade.

We’ve already shown what we can do when we act together.

Now let’s keep building on purpose, with intention and for us.

This article was featured in Taji Mag.