Black Lives Matter.
We at Independent Liverpool would like to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Independent Liverpool is run by two white almost 30 year old males who have never experienced racism or prejudice. And don’t for a second think we don’t realise how privileged we are to be in the position to be able to educate ourselves about racism rather than experience it ourselves.
photo by Stanley Park
We recognise how much more we have to do, how many more books we must read, how many times we must listen and how many people we must support. All whilst standing by and showing our solidarity. We thought we’d do what we are known for and collect a load of fantastic local heroes and businesses together and let you know how you can support them. It’s not much on our side but we hope it can make a difference and we will endeavour to do more. As we all must.
Please note under no circumstance do we feel educated enough and the best people to speak about this topic so we’ve got a platforms section where you can follow pages for really insightful enriching resources. This is also a list dedicated to Liverpool businesses and causes. To find out more about international causes we advise check the Black Lives Matter page here and The Minnesota Freedom Fund here. We speak for everyone when we say this city is against racism and fascism of any kind.
photo by Jack Finnigan
This list is updated daily so if we’ve missed anything or need to check anything out please email us at hello@independent-liverpool.co.uk
FOOD + DRINK
Raggas (amazing authentic Caribbean food on Smithdown Road). Address: 58 Smithdown Rd, Toxteth, Liverpool L7 4JG
Eat Up Gud (Flavours of the Caribbean street food based at Baltic Market). Address: Cains Brewery Village, Stanhope Street, L8 5XJ
Coffee & Fandisha (Ethiopian inspired coffee shop based in Baltic Triangle). Address: 5 Brick St, Liverpool L1 0BL
Yamm Tree (Health and wellness company focused on providing high quality nutrition advice and products). Delivery service
Bala B’s Soul Food Kitchen (A new business in the heart of Toxteth and we serve fresh and delicious Caribbean cuisine). Address: 190 Lodge Lane L8 0QW
Soul Cafe (Bold Street’s African-American inspired cafe bar). Address: 114 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4HY
Cupcakes By Mary (Homebaker specialising in cupcakes and cheesecakes). Delivery service
Granby Street Community Market (amazing community market based in L8 full of local sellers). Address: 142 Granby St, Liverpool L8 2US
Dee Delicious (Offering delicious Food & Drink catering for corporate, weddings and private events)
ItalFresh (Plant powered Caribbean food popping up at various food and drink festivals)
Desserts By Dre (Cake maker and cake fanatic Dre has some unbelievable treats you must try)
Treaty Pie (Treaty Pie is a dessert delivery business that was established in September 2015. They deliver only the finest Cakes, Shakes, Waffles and Cookies from their shop in Old Swan)
Absolute Jerk Liverpool (Absolute Jerk is an African/Caribbean catering based in Bootle, Liverpool. Healthy meal freshly prepared to eat in or take away). Address: 3-4, Parrs Corner, Liverpool, Bootle L20 5AJ
The Cheesecake Club (Liverpool cheesecake maker for any special occasion. Collection only.
Angie’s Jamaican Cuisine (Delicious food on Granby Street including salt fish and ackee, jerk chicken, curry goat with rice and peas and more). Address: 33 Holt Road, L7 2PL
The Grapes (Compact, wood-panelled, traditional pub with real ale selection, beer garden and weekly live jazz). Address: 60 Roscoe St, Liverpool L1 9DW
Jerk An Juice (Takeaway restaurant on Windsor Street which serves African Caribbean fusion food and fresh juices). Address: 164 Windsor Street Toxteth Liverpool L8 8EH
The Bake Hub (The Bake Hub is a small, independent, artisan bakery. To achieve the perfect loaf you need passion & patience)
Coffee Lodge (Fresh food, friendly service, lots of great options for veggies). Address: 57 Lodge Ln, Liverpool L8 0QE
Granby Continental Store (Legendary shop on Granby Street serving the community for decades). Address: 83 Granby St, Liverpool L8 2XA
Mo’Bay Shack – The ultimate Rum Punch.
The Tipsy Bird Events – Mobile Bar Hire | Bespoke Cocktails & Drinks | Festivals | Weddings | Private Hire | Corporate Events.
Bistro Noir – Lovingly made fresh food with big taste and flavour.
Bay Tree Caterers – Bay Tree Caterers are based in Liverpool and provide catering services across Merseyside and Cheshire.
Venues such as 24 Kitchen Street, District, the Liverpool Caribbean Centre, Kuumba Imani, Brick Street, Blackburne House and Squash Nutrition do great things in and for the black community.
PLATFORMS, CAUSES + COMMUNITY
The Anthony Walker Foundation is a registered charity established by Anthony’s family after his racially motivated murder in 2005. The Foundation is a company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated in January 2006 and registered as a charity on 31st January 2007. You can support them here.
There has been a huge effort in recent years by organisations such as the Liverpool Black History Research Group, Writing On The Wall, the Heritage Development Company Liverpool and other individuals and local historians in Liverpool to uncover the city’s black history and lay down into record previously unwritten stories of Liverpool’s black community over the centuries.
Definitely check out Mary Seacole House which opened its doors in January 1991. The organisation is located in the heart of the community it primarily serves and operates from two centres in Toxteth which is in the Princess Park Ward of Liverpool. The organisation was set up to provide support services to local primarily BAMER people who are experiencing mental illness. Their service users are mainly drawn from this area, but they also deliver services to BAMER people from across Merseyside. The organisation is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.
We definitely recommend The Goddess Projects. It’s a book club for women of colour and they do lots of other social events too.
More recently another fantastic page called Blk Liverpool was set-up and aims to amplify black voices in creative communities, businesses, organisations and more so we definitely recommend giving them a follow here.
Liverpool and Slavery is a Facebook group sharing daily resources and pieces of history. The owner Laurence Westgaph also does tours on Liverpool’s history.
Neurolove.org is a platform to support young people between 8-25 access free therapy, live classes and resources to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Natalie Alleyne specialises in remote mentorship and workshops. Natalie offers a 1-1 Social Justice Mentoring and runs a workshop called ‘Calling Out Racism’ to help black people cultivate the tools and words to speak up against micro-aggressions and racist stances.
KAOS is a social enterprise based in Liverpool 8. They produce fun inclusive educational workshops with a focus on Black History, Female empowerment and social issues. They have a weekly youth theatre ‘Staged Kaos’ for children aged 3-13 based in Toxteth TV. Their classes inspire positive development through the performing arts and focus on creative growth, developing confidence and social awareness.
LUMA CREATIONS aka OLC Productions is an Arts & Cultural Organisation promoting Latin American and Diversity Arts and Artists. The organisation produces and annual programme of events, performances, festivals and projects and is ever present in a range of national festivals and carnivals.
Black Women In Menopause – “Black women are underrepresented and there’s little research on black women in menopause. What we hope to do is to gradually raise knowledge and understanding for black women so that they may then be prepared to speak more openly about the issue of menopause. We have a virtual community to start with and will be doing a webinar in November the first of its kind in the UK with black experts in menopause (Black Women in Menopause – Facebook page and a private group).”
As per recommendations from Blk Liverpool, we’d also recommend checking out Amadudu Refuge and Granby Toxteth Development Group
FASHION + JEWELLERY
Freedom of Ztyle (Brilliant shop that celebrates individuality and endorses creativity within personal style whilst remaining sustainable. (Address: 175 County Rd, Walton, Liverpool L4 5PB)
Nezianya (Costume designer and fashion designer)
Pafash Offical (A platform to promote, educate and highlight Africa’s creative industry)
CuteTingzOnly (Selling amazing good quality hoodies with a cloud/tie dye effect)
Synergentix – (Clothing Brand, online coaching, personal training, nutrition plans, competition prep)
Saffiyyah – (Redefining sustainable luxury for the modern woman)
Mavazi Design (Bespoke men and women clothing and accessories brand)
Novita Clothing (Premium clothing with innovative designs)
HAIR + MAKE-UP
House Of Faces Makeup Artistry (Makeup, aesthetics, courses and more). Address: 6 Greenbank Rd, Liverpool L18 1HN
Beauty By Busola (Appointments made via Instagram DM)
Natural Nyota (Natural hair and organic products)
Yemis Barber Shop (Barbershop on Smithdown Road). Address: 40 Smithdown Road, L7 4JG
Afrocity Hair (Dreadlock care, education, extensions and more)
BabyDolls Hair & Beauty (Hairy and beauty shop on Granby Street). Address: 137 Granby St, Liverpool L8 2UR
Ebony Hair Salon (Hair Salon specialising in Ebony hair on Smithdown Road). Address: 167 Smithdown Road, L15 2HD
Emerald Beauty By Alisha (Home based beauty expert specialising in nails and brows)
Beauty By Sho (Self employed beauty therapist offering professional waxing at its best. 10+ years experience specialising in intimate bikini waxing)
Herline HQ (Self employed/freelance Afro-Caribbean hairstylist that covers all hair but specialises in lace and lace wig systems)
Temmyz Hair (Temmyz Hair offers quality and affordable hair products, hair extensions, and customised wigs).
Homeware + House
Bernard Cycles (Brilliant bike repair shop on Smithdown Road owned by local legend Bernard). Address: 260 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 5AH
Baltic Secret Garden (Bespoke Floral installations, Christmas packages, event planner, weddings, baby showers, Christenings, birthdays, selfie walls, balloons, party packages and more.
Helens Party Decor (Decorations for any special occasion)
Floressence 24 (Bringing a smile to people’s faces through nature. Local florist)
Tech Repair Centre (Mobile phone and other technology repair shop based in Toxteth). Address: 56 Smithdown Rd, Toxteth, Liverpool L7 4JG
Hanson Flooring (Hanson Flooring is a family run business that is passionate about flooring)
LW Property Maintenance (Liam Williams is available for all your property maintenance needs!)
PC Carberry Wallcovering (A wall covering business in Liverpool that has been established for over 20 years)
LITERATURE/AUTHORS
News From Nowhere – Not black owned but Liverpool’s go-to local and independent bookshop on Bold Street full of great literature by black authors. For black owned book shops outside of Liverpool check out New Beacon Books and Housmans Bookshop.
ROOT-ed Zine – An independent zine & social platform for creatives of colour in the North West of England
Kevin Maxwell – Brilliant local author famed for book ‘Forced Out’
Natalie Denny – Inspiring local writer, co-founder of The Goddess Projects and Period Projects Merseyside. Author of Her Hair A Crown and wonderful poetry.
MUSIC, EVENTS, WORKSHOPS + PODCASTS
Africa Oye – Africa Oye is the largest FREE celebration of African and Caribbean music in the UK. It takes place at Sefton Park annually.
Positive Vibration Festival – Award-winning reggae festival that isn’t black owned but does amazing things within the black community, businesses and working with artists of Caribbean heritage.
Go Off Sis – “A pod for the people” by Rach and Mimi. They’re real people talking about real life issues and sparking necessary conversations.
Liverpool International Music Festival – Yearly festival happening in Sefton Park created by Yaw Owusu.
Toxteth Community Radio – TCR Ltd is now a social enterprise organisation, the vision for the station is to continue to run into the future and develop a solid platform for members of the Toxteth community to be heard.
MC Nelson – Funny, thoughtful, philosophical lyrics painted over a psychedelic jazz canvas.
Nutribe – NU movement : NU sounds : NU tribe
Sense Of Sound Singers – is a creative company of professional singers who perform, provide backing vocals and recordings in their own right and collaboratively with other artists and producers. Their music style is eclectic and includes soul, gospel, jazz, classical, RnB, pop and experimental. Their extensive career has seen them collaborate with Damon Albarn, Imogen Heap, Paloma Faith, Sean Lenno, Cast, Space, Trudy and The Romance and most recently open for Nile Rodgers and Chic at Liverpool’s M&S Arena. Currently signed to DuoTone records their latest renditions of classic Disco and House tracks is seeing their debut into the recording world of House and Disco. Past members include Hannah Peel, Esco Williams and Jetta.
The Group Chat Podcast – Very funny and informative interviews with local and interesting people
DJ2Kind – Club/Radio DJ from Liverpool
Front Left Podcast – New episode every Monday. Listen on Spotify, Apple or watch on YouTube
Blackfest – BlackFest is a grassroots Liverpool Black arts festival founded in 2018. It showcases an eclectic mix of work from Black creatives, across community spaces and established venues. The program includes dance, visual arts, music, film, spoken word and theatre.
Lime Liverpool – An event created for love of dancehall music and its subgenres. The duo behind the events wanted to share a safe space that Liverpool wasn’t offering and in turn create a community full of love through movement, sound, positive energy, vibrations and female empowerment.
The Early Turtle Podcast – A real life podcast that pushes limits. Insightful and critical thinking about what makes us us and how we can evolve for the better.
New Power Soul Club – Exclusive venue and event music production.
Pace Setters Expo – Brings entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses together from different works of life to showcase their products and services with purpose of bringing attention to local talent
Melt Dance – Jazz and musical theatre dance training.
Loud Speaker – Loud Speaker deliver high-energy, public speaking and confidence building workshops to young people. They’re based in Liverpool and have worked with the likes of Hugh Baird College and Everton in the Community.
Teach Consultancy – Teach Consultancy specialises in all things race equality that includes training, consultancy and coaching, including digital training. Support is given to organisations and individuals.
Ametrine Coaching & Consultancy – Providing consultancy services to organisations to advance the diversity, equality and inclusion agenda. Also providing workshops on diversity, equality and inclusion, including unconscious bias and allyship.
Fitness + Wellbeing
3D Liverpool – (Physical training to build healthy strong bodies and resilient minds). Address: Hatton Gardens, L3 2FE
SOHealthCo – (Health, wellbeing and resilience through workshops where people work, learn and live)
Roks Therapy – (Massage therapy, injury prevention and chronic pain therapist. Online consults available)
TonedSel – (YouTuber who offers a dance bootcamp. Keep curves drop fat to hip pop/bashment/RnB/Afrobeat)
Afro With Abi – Dance teacher with routines based on traditional West Ffrican styles. Abi is also running virtual classes over lockdown
Chanua – (Digital, health and innovation run by Naomi Mwasambili and Megan Charles)
Adele Myers (Liverpool city centre based personal trainer)
HC:FIT Ninja Training (Experience all the thrills and excitement that Ninja Warrior training has to offer. Online classes now available). Address: Upper Floor, 1 Birchall St, Liverpool L20 8FD
Shred Fast (Health, fitness and wellbeing. Online classes available)
Training Station 2 (Liverpool based gym with huge machine/free weight section, strength and conditioning, classes & Personal Trainers to suit every need). Address: 3, Alfred St, Liverpool L15 2JJ
Total Tarot (Liverpool based 1-2-1 tarot readings, rituals, energy healing)
Don-Fitness (PT/fitness instructor covering the Wirral/Liverpool area. Live workouts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm.
Juliana Brazil Movement (Teaching accessible yoga for all levels and abilities-influenced by Juliana’s movement experience in Afro and Indigenous traditions in her native Brazil as well as her work as a Movement Facilitator for groups around the world. Currently teaching online yoga as well as outdoors for groups of up to 5 people)
Hydrobumps (Aqua-natal fitness for mums to be and new mums in the early postpartum period)
Belly Dancing With Tara (Tara is a professional belly dancer and teacher based in Merseyside. She comes from a family of musicians artists and dancers)
Shazney Spence (Life coach and public speaker)
Dot Grief Support (Grief recovery counsellor based in Liverpool, supporting people who have experienced any type of loss, grief, or bereavement)
Artists + Photography
Sumuyya – (Beautiful prints by local artist)
Kiara Mohamed – (Poet, filmmaker and photographer)
Nor Daley Photography (Local photographer specialising in wildlife, locations and people)
Essod Photography (Fashion and lifestyle photographer)
Hand Of The Goddess (The Hamsa Hand is a protective sign, bringing the owner luck, health and good fortune)
Dutchie Art (Window art, paintings, murals and more based in Liverpool)
Akoma Arts (Prints, Cards, Bespoke artworks and T-shirts)
Millie Toyin Olateju (Painter specialising in abstract art).
This list is updated daily so if we’ve missed anything or need to check anything out please email us at hello@independent-liverpool.co.uk