Growing up, the only thing that got me excited about going back to school after summer break was shopping. There’s nothing better than starting a new school year dripped in fresh swag – backpacks, lunch boxes and of course, new shoes.

Although your kids might be sad about their summer coming to an end, you can help them get in the mood for a new year of learning with these dope school supplies from Black-owned brands that are sure to make them the coolest kids in class.

Kids can keep all of their notes in one adorable place with the Destinee Back-To-School Notebook from Brown Girls Stationery . Thirteen-year-old CEO Kamaria Warren launched the business in 2015 with her mom as a way to help more young girls of color feel seen. “When I would watch different Barbie movies, I always saw the different races, other than Barbie, like just being their sidekicks,” she told Now This in 2019. “So with our business, we make all different girls the main character.”

Like most Black-owned businesses, NikNax was created out of necessity. Unable to find what they were looking for in the stationery space, they launched their own version of notepads, sticky notes, cards and more that speak to the culture. With sayings like “Melanated and Educated” and “Black Students Matter,” these pencils might actually make doing homework a lot more fun.

In a world where just about everything is made for right-handed people, the folks at NikNax didn’t forget about the lefties. Their spiral notebooks for left-handers are just as stylish as they are functional.

More than Peach was created back in 2019, by then 8-year-old, Bellen Woodard. The tiny CEO sought to add a more inclusive color palette to kids’ crayon boxes. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with her non-toxic colored pencil and crayon packs available at Target.

Let’s face it, teachers need school supplies too. We couldn’t resist this insulated Black Teacher’s Lunch Bag from The Trini Gee ’s Etsy shop that celebrates all of the amazing Black educators molding young minds.

You’ll never worry about your kid getting their pencil case mixed up with another classmate’s again with these personalized pencil boxes from Lenie Alexis Designs on Etsy. They come in 11 fun color choices and can be personalized with your child’s name.

Never miss a teacher’s note or homework assignment again! The 2-Pocket Folder Pack from Creative Soul Photography’s Etsy shop will keep your kids’ important information in one place.

A dope backpack can be a something of a schoolyard status symbol. And these customizable book bag/lunch bag sets from Brown Girl Bag Co. on Etsy are too cool for words. You can buy the backpack alone or include the lunch box for a matching set.

Keep your kids hydrated with these adorable water bottles from Pretty Dope Society’s Etsy shop. With so many fun designs to choose from, it might be hard to pick just one. But who are we kidding? Kids go through so many water bottles in a school year, you’ll probably need a few.