With migrants making up 80 per cent of the population, the UAE is one of the most diverse nations in the world. The UAE is also home to a sizable black population (many Emiratis are of African ancestry) that are unfortunately often confronted with anti-black sentiments.
In light of the protests that have shook communities across the globe in recent week, following the murder of George Floyd in May, a long-overdue dialogue about racism in the Arab world has finally been opened.
As a region, we’re only just starting to unpack the racism in our communities, but along with signing petitions and vocally standing up as an ally – there is another way in which we can be actively anti-racist and show solidarity with our black communities: by choosing where we shop carefully.
Now is the time to shift our attention to empowering our local communities and buy from the many black-owned businesses in and round the UAE. These are the businesses you should be supporting.
Restaurants and Cafes
Catfish – Dubai
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu5d22dnJc0/
The Gbemi’s Kitchen
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7iP42Wpr-P/
Boon Coffee – Dubai
https://www.instagram.com/p/B67LRYtnPn9/
Kiza – Dubai
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBXSadmABBw/
West to West Kitchen – Abu Dhabi
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7SvAdNJeWm/
Hair and Beauty
Fade and Play Barbershop – Dubai
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8beJvtJBqN/
Braids Ladies Salon – Abu Dhabi
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBIX2yVJFBp/
Scintillia Skincare – Abu Dhabi
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fdIMyHIjA/
Beauty by Promise – Dubai
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1YmCStng3Z/
Fitness
Afro Fit -Dubai
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAXErYtJuZo/
Yoga Enchantress – Dubai
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBWRJ1FDVBz/
Melo and Chill
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBm5y5mpPXK/
Content Creators
Fatma Al Bakry
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9tfH7-nBMl/
Dukkan Studio
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBiOMViDutS/
Shukriya Mohamed
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7BzGc_JVJw/
