Black-owned businesses are on the rise. Seriously. The U.S. Black Chambers has data to back this claim:
“African-American businesses have grown at an exponential rate in the 21st Century. According to the United States Black Chambers, Inc., in 2012 there were 1.9 million Black businesses. In Fall of 2015, there were over 2.6 million. Black women tend to start more businesses on average, according to the data.” [1]
This encouraging stat proves, at least in my opinion, one thing: Black-owned businesses are changing the consumers market. So much, in fact, the presence of these enterprises cannot be ignored. Don’t even get me started on the Black lens in cinema (I’m looking at you, Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, and Ava DuVernay”>!
As more and more women and people of color continue enterprising in the general market with niche offerings, consumers are scavenging the marketplace for all things culturally relevant and melanin-made. Why? The answer is simple. Black people want to support every person borne from the African Diaspora. So, how do we do it?
Kiana Tipton has the answer in her article Black-Owned Brands You Can Support Year Round, which lists beauty and curly hair care brands:
“One simple way to support the community is by buying from Black-owned brands. Whether that be hair care, skincare, clothing, food, books, art, blogs, podcasts, you name it – there is a Black person doing it that needs your support.”
We continue to tell each other to support Black business, but sometimes we fall short in promoting within the community. So, we decided to magnify and amplify some of our favorite beauty brands.
NaturallyCurly Articles Featuring Black-owned Businesses:
- It Takes a Village: #SupportBlackBusiness
- My Favorite Black-Owned Brands in My Regimen
- Emerging Black-Owned Beauty Brands
- 10 Surprises in Store for Type 4 Coily, Curly Hair for Spring 2018
With this key-turning idea at heart, we Editors took to the YouTube platform to share our absolute favorite Black-owned businesses that keep our skin and makeup game looking 100!
Here is what April Bingham, Lauren Murray, and I had to say:
If you're in "At work. Who dis?" mode, I understand! Below are snippets of the video ?
April keeps it strikingly sweet with Beauty Bakerie.
Follow April on IG: @firstchurchofapril
If you have dreams of ? ? Beyoncé-level #F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S beat downs on your face, you need cruelty-free Beauty Bakerie, founded by the luminescent Cashmere Nicole. April proudly introduces one of the most popular Black-owned businesses you're probably following, and drooling over, on Instagram @beautybakeriemakeup.
(SIDE NOTE: I, Gerilyn, am covetous of Royal Tea, worn by April in the video above, and will find a way to make it her own. Raid April's beauty drawer, maybe???">
Lauren is all a-go for the all-natural Limegreen beauty line.
Follow Lauren on IG: @thegleauxup
Talima and Allison, co-founders and partners, have blessed us all with Limegreen, the all-natural, vegan multi-use product collection that is making waves in the beauty industry. Acclaimed by Refinery29, The New York Times, and Project Runway as one of the best multi-use skincare collections on the market, Lauren's selection from Limegreen is one to click into your e-shopping carts. Watch the video above for her recommendations!
Gerilyn believes in the power of Yangu Beauty.
Follow Gerilyn on IG: @gerilynhayes
Sipho Gumbo, the creator of Yangu Beauty and the Cleansing Whip with YMB Complex that I love so much, says that the company "uses unique properties of ancient African oils to gently cleanse, provide balanced moisture, protect from environmental stresses and eliminate hyperpigmentation and scarring for even skin tone." I have found this to be 100% true for my skin, which has been prone to darkening and hyperpigmentation. It has been a lifesaver for me!
Are you supporting our favorite Black-owned businesses? Did we mention your favorites?
From the beauty industry to the curly hair care industry, we want to hear from you, friend. List your all-time, best ever Black-owned businesses in the comments because we all want to support them!
,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15">; margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px">; width:calc(100% - 2px">;">; display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
