Good taste doesn’t require a big budget. Nine gifts from Black creators and businesses prove it, with a little Harlem flavor to start and finish the journey.
Harlem knows a thing or two about making something memorable without making a production out of the price tag. A meal that brings everyone to the table. A book you keep passing around. A thoughtful little something that makes somebody say, You really know me. That’s the energy behind these nine finds for our Black, Gifted & Giving edition. We begin with a Harlem chef who makes rice the star, head to Brooklyn for stories, tea, and serious flavor, then round out the list with gifts for people who dream big, write everything down, and refuse to let winter mess with their hair. Every base price is under $50, before tax and shipping.
For the Cooks, Collectors & Flavor Chasers
Chef JJ Johnson — The Simple Art of Rice (Hardcover)
Rice is never just rice when Chef JJ Johnson is in the kitchen. The Harlem-connected FIELDTRIP founder gives the humble grain its well-deserved spotlight, traveling through global food traditions, family stories, and dishes that bring a whole table together. Created with artist and writer Danica Novgorodoff, this illustrated cookbook is an invitation to get adventurous without losing the comfort of a good home-cooked meal. It’s the gift for somebody who loves recipes—and the stories simmering behind them.
Price: $34.99 · Shop Black-owned: Black Pearl Books
BLK MKT Vintage — Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories (Hardcover)
Remember that shoebox of family photographs nobody was allowed to throw away? Imagine the care behind it turned into a remarkable book. Brooklyn-based curators Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart gather photographs, everyday objects, historical ephemera, and more than 300 images that remind us how much history lives in the things people save. With a foreword by Spike Lee, it’s a visual treasure for the collector, the curious cousin, or anyone who knows an old object can carry a whole lifetime. Holiday shopping note: BLK MKT Vintage advises allowing 10–14 business days for order processing and shipment, plus additional transit time. Order early to ensure this thoughtful gift has time to arrive for the holidays.
Price: $40 (standard hardcover) · Shop directly: BLK MKT Vintage
Brooklyn Tea — Cream Earl Grey Gift Tin
For the friend whose idea of luxury is an uninterrupted afternoon, put the kettle on. From Brooklyn Tea, founded by Ali Wright and Jamila McGill Wright, Cream Earl Grey pairs black tea with bright bergamot and a smooth hint of vanilla. It’s cozy without being ordinary, and gift-worthy without requiring a special occasion. Choose a tin at checkout, and confirm the size tied to the displayed price before ordering.
Price: $35.99 (6 oz tin) · Shop directly: Brooklyn Tea
Harlem Boy Collection — Black Power Unity Mug
Pair a good cup of tea with something worth looking at. This Harlem Boy Collection ceramic mug wraps a raised-fist design and layered, culture-forward graphics around the morning ritual. It is glossy, dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and offered in 11- and 15-ounce sizes. A small gift with enough personality to stand out on the kitchen shelf—and an easy companion to the tea lover’s favorite blend.
Price: From $20, depending on size · Shop directly: Harlem Boy Collection — Black Power Unity Mug
Shaquanda Will Feed You — Hot Tropic Hot Sauce, 5 oz
Know somebody who thinks every meal needs a little more excitement? Andre Springer’s Brooklyn-born Shaquanda Will Feed You has a bottle with their name written all over it. Hot Tropic brings mango, papaya, orange, ginger, and warm spices into a bright, lively sauce that’s ready to wake up leftovers, grilled vegetables, or whatever’s coming off the stove. A playful label, a serious flavor punch, and a stocking-stuffer price? That’s a combination we can get behind.
Price: $11.99 · Shop directly: Shaquanda Will Feed You
For the Dreamers, Doers & Winter Wanderers
Be Rooted — Daily Priorities Undated Planner
Some people start January with resolutions. Others start on a random Tuesday and mean business. Jasmin Foster’s Be Rooted designed its Daily Priorities planner for the second group, too: undated pages, room for goals and reflection, and art celebrating Black women on a sturdy cover with gold spiral binding. Its 160 guided pages make space for the big ambitions and small wins that deserve to be seen. A thoughtful nudge for someone creating the life they want.
Price: $24 · Shop directly: Be Rooted
Effie’s Paper — No Risk No Reward Hardbound Journal
Every great idea needs somewhere to land before it takes over the world—or at least the group chat. Kalyn Johnson Chandler’s Effie’s Paper turns an ordinary notebook into a little pep talk. The No Risk No Reward hardbound journal offers 200 lined pages, bold cover lettering, and a bright pink ribbon bookmark. Give it to the friend launching a business, writing a story, or finally making that plan. Their next chapter starts on page one.
Price: $24 listed · Shop from the maker: Effie’s Paper on Etsy
Harlem Boy Collection — We Are Staying Free! Heavyweight Tee
Some messages deserve to be worn out loud. Harlem Boy Collection’s We Are Staying Free! regular-fit tee puts a declaration of self-determination on a relaxed, heavyweight, garment-dyed cotton shirt. The unisex cut works as a casual staple rather than a one-day novelty, with color choices ranging from black to mustard. At $35, it makes a spirited gift for a friend who believes style should say something. This shirt is made to order, so plan ahead for holiday shipping.
Price: $35 · Shop directly: Harlem Boy Collection — We Are Staying Free! Heavyweight Tee
Grace Eleyae — Everyday Satin-Lined Beanie, Black
Winter has absolutely no respect for a fresh hairstyle. Grace Eleyae’s Everyday Beanie understands the assignment: a ribbed black knit outside, smooth satin lining inside, and an easy shape that works with curls, coils, braids, and locs. It’s a practical gift with a little hair-care wisdom built in. Holiday shopping note: This popular style is currently available for preorder, with shipping estimated at four to six weeks. The brand indicates backorders will ship by December 10, so Christmas delivery is not guaranteed. Order early and confirm the estimated delivery date before purchasing.
Price: $42 · Explore directly: Grace Eleyae
And just like that, we’re back where we began: Harlem, where style has never needed permission from a price tag. The right gift might be a cookbook for the family chef, hot sauce for the adventurous eater, or a journal for somebody with big plans. What makes it special isn’t how much you spent. It’s the care you put into choosing it—and, whenever possible, the Black business you chose to support along the way.
Editorial disclosure: Harlem Boy Collection is owned by HarlemAmerica’s Director of Digital Content, Richard Lallite.
This Month’s Featured Articles
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentHarlemHistory
Peggy Cooper Cafritz saw possibility in Black artists before the art establishment supplied its approval. Her historic bequest to the Studio Museum in Harlem now reveals how collecting, education and cultural power can help determine what America remembers.
Derriann Pharr, Simonette Quamina and Taylor Simmons became the first Artist-in-Residence cohort to work inside the Studio Museum in Harlem's purpose-built studios. Their exhibition, A sustained becoming, reveals three distinct approaches to the body, memory and the freedom to imagine what comes next.
Black horror has always known how to make fear political, laughter protective and darkness look magnificent. From Blacula and Ganja & Hess to Blade, Get Out and Vampire in Brooklyn, Black filmmakers have transformed the genre—and Harlem is ready to talk back to the screen.
Black filmmakers are no longer waiting for Hollywood's permission. From Harlem to the Harlems of the world, they are protecting their voices, owning their images and building new roads to audiences. The ABFF New York City Pop-Up shows what becomes possible when Black stories reach the screen on their own terms.
Good taste doesn’t require a big budget. Nine gifts from Black creators and businesses prove it, with a little Harlem flavor to start and finish the journey.
Harlem knows a thing or two about making something memorable without making a production out of the price tag. A meal that brings everyone to the table. A book you keep passing around. A thoughtful little something that makes somebody say, You really know me. That’s the energy behind these nine finds for our Black, Gifted & Giving edition. We begin with a Harlem chef who makes rice the star, head to Brooklyn for stories, tea, and serious flavor, then round out the list with gifts for people who dream big, write everything down, and refuse to let winter mess with their hair. Every base price is under $50, before tax and shipping.
For the Cooks, Collectors & Flavor Chasers
Chef JJ Johnson — The Simple Art of Rice (Hardcover)
Rice is never just rice when Chef JJ Johnson is in the kitchen. The Harlem-connected FIELDTRIP founder gives the humble grain its well-deserved spotlight, traveling through global food traditions, family stories, and dishes that bring a whole table together. Created with artist and writer Danica Novgorodoff, this illustrated cookbook is an invitation to get adventurous without losing the comfort of a good home-cooked meal. It’s the gift for somebody who loves recipes—and the stories simmering behind them.
Price: $34.99 · Shop Black-owned: Black Pearl Books
BLK MKT Vintage — Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories (Hardcover)
Remember that shoebox of family photographs nobody was allowed to throw away? Imagine the care behind it turned into a remarkable book. Brooklyn-based curators Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart gather photographs, everyday objects, historical ephemera, and more than 300 images that remind us how much history lives in the things people save. With a foreword by Spike Lee, it’s a visual treasure for the collector, the curious cousin, or anyone who knows an old object can carry a whole lifetime. Holiday shopping note: BLK MKT Vintage advises allowing 10–14 business days for order processing and shipment, plus additional transit time. Order early to ensure this thoughtful gift has time to arrive for the holidays.
Price: $40 (standard hardcover) · Shop directly: BLK MKT Vintage
Brooklyn Tea — Cream Earl Grey Gift Tin
For the friend whose idea of luxury is an uninterrupted afternoon, put the kettle on. From Brooklyn Tea, founded by Ali Wright and Jamila McGill Wright, Cream Earl Grey pairs black tea with bright bergamot and a smooth hint of vanilla. It’s cozy without being ordinary, and gift-worthy without requiring a special occasion. Choose a tin at checkout, and confirm the size tied to the displayed price before ordering.
Price: $35.99 (6 oz tin) · Shop directly: Brooklyn Tea
Harlem Boy Collection — Black Power Unity Mug
Pair a good cup of tea with something worth looking at. This Harlem Boy Collection ceramic mug wraps a raised-fist design and layered, culture-forward graphics around the morning ritual. It is glossy, dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and offered in 11- and 15-ounce sizes. A small gift with enough personality to stand out on the kitchen shelf—and an easy companion to the tea lover’s favorite blend.
Price: From $20, depending on size · Shop directly: Harlem Boy Collection — Black Power Unity Mug
Shaquanda Will Feed You — Hot Tropic Hot Sauce, 5 oz
Know somebody who thinks every meal needs a little more excitement? Andre Springer’s Brooklyn-born Shaquanda Will Feed You has a bottle with their name written all over it. Hot Tropic brings mango, papaya, orange, ginger, and warm spices into a bright, lively sauce that’s ready to wake up leftovers, grilled vegetables, or whatever’s coming off the stove. A playful label, a serious flavor punch, and a stocking-stuffer price? That’s a combination we can get behind.
Price: $11.99 · Shop directly: Shaquanda Will Feed You
For the Dreamers, Doers & Winter Wanderers
Be Rooted — Daily Priorities Undated Planner
Some people start January with resolutions. Others start on a random Tuesday and mean business. Jasmin Foster’s Be Rooted designed its Daily Priorities planner for the second group, too: undated pages, room for goals and reflection, and art celebrating Black women on a sturdy cover with gold spiral binding. Its 160 guided pages make space for the big ambitions and small wins that deserve to be seen. A thoughtful nudge for someone creating the life they want.
Price: $24 · Shop directly: Be Rooted
Effie’s Paper — No Risk No Reward Hardbound Journal
Every great idea needs somewhere to land before it takes over the world—or at least the group chat. Kalyn Johnson Chandler’s Effie’s Paper turns an ordinary notebook into a little pep talk. The No Risk No Reward hardbound journal offers 200 lined pages, bold cover lettering, and a bright pink ribbon bookmark. Give it to the friend launching a business, writing a story, or finally making that plan. Their next chapter starts on page one.
Price: $24 listed · Shop from the maker: Effie’s Paper on Etsy
Harlem Boy Collection — We Are Staying Free! Heavyweight Tee
Some messages deserve to be worn out loud. Harlem Boy Collection’s We Are Staying Free! regular-fit tee puts a declaration of self-determination on a relaxed, heavyweight, garment-dyed cotton shirt. The unisex cut works as a casual staple rather than a one-day novelty, with color choices ranging from black to mustard. At $35, it makes a spirited gift for a friend who believes style should say something. This shirt is made to order, so plan ahead for holiday shipping.
Price: $35 · Shop directly: Harlem Boy Collection — We Are Staying Free! Heavyweight Tee
Grace Eleyae — Everyday Satin-Lined Beanie, Black
Winter has absolutely no respect for a fresh hairstyle. Grace Eleyae’s Everyday Beanie understands the assignment: a ribbed black knit outside, smooth satin lining inside, and an easy shape that works with curls, coils, braids, and locs. It’s a practical gift with a little hair-care wisdom built in. Holiday shopping note: This popular style is currently available for preorder, with shipping estimated at four to six weeks. The brand indicates backorders will ship by December 10, so Christmas delivery is not guaranteed. Order early and confirm the estimated delivery date before purchasing.
Price: $42 · Explore directly: Grace Eleyae
And just like that, we’re back where we began: Harlem, where style has never needed permission from a price tag. The right gift might be a cookbook for the family chef, hot sauce for the adventurous eater, or a journal for somebody with big plans. What makes it special isn’t how much you spent. It’s the care you put into choosing it—and, whenever possible, the Black business you chose to support along the way.
Editorial disclosure: Harlem Boy Collection is owned by HarlemAmerica’s Director of Digital Content, Richard Lallite.
This Month’s Featured Articles
FeaturedHarlemEntertainmentHarlemHistory
Peggy Cooper Cafritz saw possibility in Black artists before the art establishment supplied its approval. Her historic bequest to the Studio Museum in Harlem now reveals how collecting, education and cultural power can help determine what America remembers.
Derriann Pharr, Simonette Quamina and Taylor Simmons became the first Artist-in-Residence cohort to work inside the Studio Museum in Harlem's purpose-built studios. Their exhibition, A sustained becoming, reveals three distinct approaches to the body, memory and the freedom to imagine what comes next.
Black horror has always known how to make fear political, laughter protective and darkness look magnificent. From Blacula and Ganja & Hess to Blade, Get Out and Vampire in Brooklyn, Black filmmakers have transformed the genre—and Harlem is ready to talk back to the screen.
Black filmmakers are no longer waiting for Hollywood's permission. From Harlem to the Harlems of the world, they are protecting their voices, owning their images and building new roads to audiences. The ABFF New York City Pop-Up shows what becomes possible when Black stories reach the screen on their own terms.
