This holiday season will be unprecedented in many ways for local business owners across the country, particularly for Black business owners who have faced unique challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic. As we continue to make progress on our commitment to support Black-owned businesses, we are thrilled to partner with the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund and MyBlackReceipt to drive $5 million into the pockets of Black-owned businesses. Founded by NBA player Jrue Holiday and American soccer player Lauren Holiday, the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund was founded to move communities forward and create change where it’s needed most. MyBlackReceipt is a movement whose mission is to empower the Black community with economic independence.
Following the launch of our Black-owned business attribute, in partnership with MyBlackReceipt, we’ve seen nearly 20,000 businesses adopt the attribute on Yelp and saw consumers spend $7.5 million dollars with Black businesses, surpassing the campaign’s initial $5 million dollar goal.The Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund have partnered with Yelp to highlight Black-owned small businesses that have been devastated by the impact of COVID-19.
Yelp users are increasingly looking to support businesses that align with their values and drive dollars back into the pockets of these businesses and it’s no surprise that values-driven gifting is one of the biggest holiday shopping trends this season as this summer’s enthusiasm sparks a permanent change in consumer spending habits. Searches for Black-owned businesses are up 6,500% compared to the same period last year. Building on our partnership with MyBlackReceipt, when a user searches for a Black-owned business, a gem will appear in the search results highlighting the attribute — making it easier than ever to discover great local Black businesses.
To participate in the #MyBlackReceipt campaign, simply buy from a Black-owned business and upload your receipt here. Each purchase will help to reach their goal of $10 million spent this year with Black-owned businesses. Purchases made between Friday, November 27 and December 18 are eligible for this season’s campaign.
“Looking ahead to the holiday season, it’s important to support the businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, especially Black-owned businesses that have been devastated by the pandemic,,” says New Orleans Pelican player Jrue Holiday and co-founder of the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund. “Yelp makes it easy to find and share Black-owned businesses with your community so you can support these businesses and spend money with them.”
One business who Yelpers are loving this year is Sydney’s Sweets. The pandemic spurred husband and wife duo Jermaine and Sydney into action to expand their dessert business with nationwide shipping and new cake jars. Searches for cake delivery and cake shops are up 59% and 410% on Yelp, as many looked for ways to celebrate while socially distancing. With these new offerings, they kept their Yelp page updated with great photos, information about their COVID-19 health and safety measures and details on how to order.
“Black Friday kicks off the busiest shopping season of the year and with the ongoing pandemic, it’s important to continue to support Black-owned businesses, who have been disproportionately impacted,” said Kezia M. Williams, CEO for MyBlackReceipt and the Black upStart. “We are excited to once again partner with Yelp to encourage consumers to spend with their values and demonstrate how individual purchases can make a big impact in the Black community.”
To help our users support businesses, like Sydney’s Sweets, that align with their values, our Community Managers are launching collections of great local businesses to shop with this season. These collections showcase businesses across categories from food to home to beauty as well as Black-owned, Latinx-owned and women-owned businesses. Looking for gift inspiration? Browse Jrue and Lauren Holiday’s collection of favorite Black businesses.
If you haven’t yet claimed your Yelp page, you can find instructions on how to do that here.
If you choose to opt-in, when a consumer visits your business page on Yelp, they’ll be able to see that your business is Black-owned in the “Amenities and More” section on the web or “More Info” section in the iOS and Android app. Additionally, when a user searches for Black-owned businesses, a gem will appear in the search results of your business page highlighting the attribute.
