In the wake of the recent murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we are each called to fight racial injustice in our communities. There are numerous ways we can act in solidarity: donating to national or local organizations working to bolster Black communities, educating ourselves and others about anti-racism and dismantling systems of oppression, and showing up to community events like food and supply drives, clean-ups, or protests. Another way is supporting Black-founded businesses.
Each of us has different gifts and resources available to us, which means showing up will look different for each of us. The important thing is to act. If purchasing from Black-founded businesses is an act of solidarity you can take, we hope you’ll join us today – and beyond.
In the “clean” product space that MADE SAFE operates within – and in so many other industries – there is a need for more Black-founded and owned businesses. And that, like so much else, needs to change. We can back that change by supporting Black-founded and owned businesses, which, in turn, can help pave the way for others.
We’ve gathered nine Black-founded beauty and personal care brands that offer better products for both people and the planet.
Co-founders Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola and Anne Cheatham started NUELE so they could have it all: They wanted to feed their hair and bodies with healthy nutrients and eliminate flyaways and tangles for all hair types, without chemical relaxers or keratin treatments. Plus, they wanted to have impact in places like Ghana and Morocco, by sourcing from local female farmers and thereby supporting their local economies.
Shop NUELE
When Olowo-n’djo Tchala, a man from Togo, West Africa, met and fell in love with Peace Corps Volunteer Prairie Rose Hyde, it wasn’t just the beginning of their own story, but the story of Alaffia. Ethically-sourced ingredients and Fair Trade are the foundation of Alaffia, where all raw ingredients are handcrafted using traditional methods in Togo. Sales from Alaffia products are invested back into their Empowerment Projects in West Africa to alleviate poverty and encourage gender equality.
Shop Alaffia
When Gianne Doherty couldn’t find products that wouldn’t irritate her skin, she and her partner Jay Weeks set out to create Organic Bath Co. After discovering that women, especially women of color, are marketed toxic products, they’ve doubled down on their commitment to clean products, sourcing organic and Fair Trade ingredients. The result is a gender-neutral collection of bath and body products for every body.
Shop Organic Bath Co.
When founder Karen Young was launching OUI, she noticed common brand messaging centers around instilling the belief that we’re not good enough. That’s why OUI the People is on a mission not just to offer stellar shave products, but to flip the script on that messaging by offering products that are not in the pursuit of perfection, but in efficacy and inclusivity. OUI’s single-blade safety razor has a cult-following for a reason: a precisely crafted handle and blade will revolutionize how you look at shaving, plus its refillable design will help you keep thousands of disposable razors out of the landfill.
Shop OUI the People
Hanahana’s birth story is about going back to the tried and true. When founder Abena Boamah-Acheampong found she didn’t know what was really inside the products she was using, she went back to the go-to of her childhood: shea butter. Hanahana always pays two times the fair price for shea butter from Ghana to support the livelihoods of workers and their local economies. And that’s just one example of many of Hanahana’s commitments to sustainability, transparency, accessibility, representation, and social equity.
Shop Hanahana Beauty
Iris Nichole Patterson founded Iris Botanicals after her hair extension removal led to a case of tension alopecia. Iris set out to research and formulate a solution to stimulate hair growth and Iris Botanicals’ first product, The Rejuvenating Hair Butter, was born! Iris Botanicals’ passion is to help Black women honor their tresses by helping you embrace your natural beauty, whether you’re transitioning to or have already embraced your natural hair.
Shop Iris Botanicals
Inspired by her grandmothers Mary and Louise, Akilah Releford turned her passion for natural beauty into a business by founding Mary Louise Cosmetics. MLC sources organic essential oils and whole plant oils to fuel a small, but mighty collection of skin care and body care. By the way, MLC’s Miracle Serum has a seriously faithful following…
After suffering from chronic bacterial vaginosis, Bea Dixon shares that she was visited in a dream by an ancestor who brought with them a message for healing. Inspired, Bea founded Honey Pot, a company that offers feminine care products, like period products, with safer ingredients. We recommend Honey Pot’s 100% medical-grade silicone menstrual cup and organic cotton tampons!
Shop Honey Pot
Aba Gyepi-Garbrah, a Certified Aromatherapist, founded Aba Love Apothecary out of a love for plant medicine and holistic skincare. Aba Love offers handcrafted products that harness the healing power and energy of aromatic plants. By formulating with only genuine essential oils, absolutes, and oils that are organic, wildcrafted and/or non-GMO, Aba Love’s products are sourced with integrity and mindfulness.
Shop Aba Love Apothecary
+ Brand that offers MADE SAFE® certified products
* Brand is a staff favorite and does not offer MADE SAFE® certified products