So I know what you might be thinking...Black History Month is over. And while I'll admit that it would have been ideal to launch this post during February, the work to support black-owned businesses should continue year-round as partnering with minority and women-led companies will bring diversity to the marketplace, expand the reach of your audience, and set you apart from your competitors. With that, here is a list of twelve businesses that have caught my attention for their innovative products and services. From cosmetics to whiskey, fashion to food, these companies are making a name for themselves in their respective industries.
Arthur Ashe was a tennis legend and the first Black man to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He dedicated his life to social justice initiatives, including civil rights, heart health, and HIV/AIDS awareness. Did I also mention that he did all this while being a style icon? The brand, Arthur Ashe, perfectly balances street and sportswear and includes an assortment of tees, polos, tracksuits, and accessories. Recently, the rapper Amine became Arthur Ashe's first brand ambassador.
One of the best feelings on earth is the arrival of a fresh notebook. However, Be Rooted has increased this feeling by offering gorgeously designed journals, planners, and home goods to inspire women of color to explore their inner muse. Currently available online and at Target, Be Rooted products are experiencing increased attention, and both Forbes and Essence have featured the brand.
Let's trek down south and talk about Duke & Dame Whiskey, a Salted Caramel Flavored Whisky brand founded, distilled, and bottled in South Florida. Since the launch of Duke & Dame in 2017, the brand has earned ten international awards, retail support from Total Wine, Drizly, and Reserve Bar, and a partnership with Carnival Cruise. Duke & Dame's popularity shows no sign of slowing down, with distribution across Florida, Michigan, New York, and the Caribbean.
In 2017, twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart started a new undertaking to create and foster brands prioritizing sustainable solutions for contemporary living. GOODEE is not simply a homewares and lifestyle marketplace but a Certified B Corporation that blends "good design, good people, and good purpose" into every item. In 2021, Fast Company recognized GOODEE as one of the most innovative companies in fashion due to its curation of products that realize its mission of poverty reduction, gender advocacy, nature conservation, and carbon reduction. It also doesn't hurt that every product is breathtaking.
An 8-hour car ride and constant friction from the car seat marked the end of Grace Eleyae's relationship with damaged hair and the birth of the slap cap, a satin-lined hat that protects from friction and breakage.
The colorful brand includes satin-lined caps, turbans, pillowcases, and accessories for women, men, and kids. As a child, being the only girl at a sleepover who had to wrap her hair would always fill me with dread, and I'm sure this continues to be the case for many young children. But if a fun character brand and Grace Eleyae teamed up to help end that stigma, they may be able to transform shame into pride.
When we speak of rockstar American entrepreneurs, the first to come to mind typically are Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg, but I'm here to convince you to add Ulmer to that list. At just four and a half years old, Mikaila Ulmer turned her fear of bees into a mission-based lemonade business that donates a percentage of its profits to regional and international organizations fighting to save honeybees. As an 18-year-old Emory University student, Mikaila remains CEO of Me & the Bees Lemonade, which is sold in over 3000 locations across all 50 states and is growing the number of bottles sold by 100% yearly. Ulmer encourages everyone to "dream like a kid," and it's evident that this is just the beginning for this rockstar.
Mented was launched to ensure all women felt represented within the beauty industry. The brand's expansive suite of products covers you from skin prep to setting spray and received multiple beauty awards, including Best Bronzer 2022 by Byrdie and Best in Black Beauty by Essence in 2021. Mented's highly pigmented eyeshadows and lipsticks would be my first picks for a co-branded product launch. Ahem, Disney, are you there? This screams Little Mermaid.
Shennel Fuller created Miles and Milan after discovering the lack of fashionable yet minimalistic clothing options for babies and toddlers. Named after Fuller's niece and nephew, Miles and Milan offers gender-neutral clothing for parents who prefer quality products that are playful and effortless while remaining on-trend. The brand is also a proud sponsor of the Make March Matter program that will benefit The Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Natemia is a company dedicated to simplifying the process of purchasing natural baby products for parents. To achieve this, the Natemia team conducts rigorous product testing before making them available to customers, as they believe "everything that touches your baby's skin matters." The company uses organic and natural materials to make products such as hooded towels, ponchos, washcloths, and bathing sets, and in 2022 Natemia was featured as one of Oprah's Favorite Things.
With multiple locations, a cult following, and cheeky menu items like the Ménage À Trois burger, it appears Slutty Vegan has captured lightning in a bottle, and it's all due to its founder, Pinky Cole. Cole started her vegan empire in July 2018 by selling made-to-order burgers via Instagram and, within weeks, expanded to a mobile food truck that captured the hearts of Atlanta. Now, Slutty Vegan has six locations in Georgia and one in Alabama and New York, respectively. The philanthropic side of the brand, The Pinky Cole Foundation, uses educational programs and mentorship to break the cycle of poverty by increasing entrepreneurship and access to capital amongst black students and young adults.
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