Blog - Intentionalist

Women’s History Month 2021: #SpendLikeItMatters & Support Her

As Women's History Month got underway in 2020, we were on the eve of the pandemic. Our cities had not yet shut down, and much of our focus was still on combatting racism and xenophobia toward Asian-owned small businesses in Chinatown neighborhoods. A year later, communities and local...

L.E.M.S. Bookstore: Building on a Legacy

An alter inside L.E.M.S. Bookstore commemorating Vickie Williams. The Life Enrichment Bookstore, more commonly known as L.E.M.S, in Columbia City has been an iconic fixture in Seattle for over 20 years. It’s the last known Black-owned bookstore focused on the African diaspora in the Pacific Northwest. Tylicia Messiah standing in front of the...

An InTENtional List of Black Immigrant Owned Businesses in Seattle

Moyo Kitchen co-owners, Mwana Moyo and Batulo Nuh As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we wanted to uplift Black immigrant-owned businesses who continue to make history for future generations. These first-generation American business owners have moved to the Greater Seattle Area...

Intentionalist Guide to Black-Owned Businesses in Oakland and the East Bay Area

To celebrate Black History Month, we’re encouraging people across the country to #SpendLikeItMatters at Black-owned businesses in their communities. Undoubtedly, the East Bay of California is rich with Black history. The region includes beautiful cities like San Leandro, Berkeley, and...

Business Spotlight: Where Ya At Matt

Matthew Lewis, owner of Where Ya At Matt Today is Mardi Gras and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than highlighting Matthew Lewis and his Creole food truck, Where Ya At Matt. Matthew brings the bold flavors of his hometown of New Orleans to the streets of the Greater Seattle area (along with a soft spot for country music). He grew up...

Tech For Good: 3 Volunteers Create an Intentionalist Browser Extension

June 2020. It started on Twitter. Seriously. Intentionalist received a direct message from a stranger who had stumbled onto our website and wondered if he might be able to help create an Intentionalist browser extension to make it even easier for people to find and support PoC-owned small...

Where to Celebrate the Year of the Ox in Seattle

February 12th marks the beginning of Lunar New Year — a time of celebration as we enter into the first new moon of the lunar calendar and the Year of the Ox. Cultures across Asia typically celebrate Lunar New Year with traditional dances, family celebrations, fireworks, and more. Though...

Business Spotlight: QueenCare

Monika Mathews, owner of QueenCare Monika Mathews is creating her own legacy at QueenCare in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood (and soon to be in the Central District neighborhood at her second location opening this week!). The beauty (pun intended) of this small business doesn't just lie in the natural, handmade beauty products — it lies in...

Seattle Storm Black History Month InTENtional List

Intentionalist and the Seattle Storm are teaming up to support ten Black woman-owned businesses so that the broader community can get to know the diverse people and stories behind them one cup of coffee, sandwich, dessert, and salad at a time. Seattle Storm is a team that leads on and off...

Black History Month: History in the Making

Graphic by Enjoli Izidor Black History Month is a time for reflection and celebration. Our theme this year is History in the Making - honoring history and celebrating the people making it. Whether it’s providing youth employment programs, building community and culture through food, or simply existing, Black-owned businesses do...