100+ Black-Owned Brands

Blackwood is born and raised in Brooklyn as a first-generation American with Jamaican and Chinese heritage, and while studying neuroscience at Bard College, secretly pursued a career in fashion, interning at magazines such as Elle and Nylon. In 2015, while working at a consignment shop, he created a bag for himself that garnered the attention of an editor at Essence and led to the creation of his designer clothing and accessories brand. In 2020, wanting to take a stance in support of the Black Lives Matter protests, he created a mini-tote with the words "End Systemic Racism" engraved on the front, which went viral and catapulted the brand to international recognition. The brand has since expanded into over thirty designs including eyewear, swimwear, outerwear, and footwear, and has created custom looks for Beyonce, Serena Williams, and Megan Thee Stallion.

Qhemet Biologics is a pioneering Afro-textured haircare brand founded in 2004 by Felis Butler, a licensed historian and natural-hair advocate. Rooted in African heritage, the brand combines ancient Egyptian and Ayurvedic botanicals to create nourishing, moisture-rich formulas. Its cult-favorite products — such as Amla & Olive Heavy Cream and Burdock Root Butter Cream — help restore elasticity and softness to coily and kinky hair. All formulations are free from silicones, sulfates, and mineral oils, and are certified vegan. What makes Qhemet Biologics distinctive is its historical and cultural grounding, celebrating African traditions through plant-based science. It remains a trailblazer in the natural-hair movement.

CurlMix is a Chicago-based curly-hair brand founded in 2015 by Kim Lewis and Tim Lewis. Originally a DIY subscription box, the company evolved into a full product line formulated for natural curls and coils. Its four-step system — cleanse, condition, moisturize, and define — uses ingredients like flaxseed gel, aloe vera, and jojoba oil to deliver frizz-free definition. All products are vegan, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free. CurlMix’s direct-to-consumer model allows transparency and affordability without compromising quality. What makes CurlMix unique is its community-first business model, empowering customers to embrace their curls while supporting Black entrepreneurship and clean beauty.

Nu Standard is a U.S.-based textured-haircare company built on the belief that hair wellness begins at the scalp. Its clean, dermatologist-tested products address scalp buildup, dryness, and thinning through natural actives and gentle surfactants. The brand’s system includes a pre-cleanse, shampoo, and conditioner formulated with aloe, peppermint, and niacinamide. All products are sulfate-free, paraben-free, and safe for protective styles. What makes Nu Standard unique is its focus on scalp balance and wellness rather than styling, promoting healthy growth through consistent care routines supported by scientific insight.

Oyin Handmade is a U.S. natural-hair brand founded in 2001 by Jamyla Bennett. The name Oyin” means honey” in Yoruba, reflecting its use of food-grade, nourishing ingredients like honey, hempseed oil, and aloe vera. Its products — including Hair Dew and Juices & Berries — are known for hydrating and softening textured hair while maintaining curl definition. All formulas are handmade in small batches, cruelty-free, and free from silicones and sulfates. What makes Oyin Handmade distinctive is its community-driven, DIY ethos, combining cultural pride, clean ingredients, and joyful self-care. It remains a cornerstone in the natural-hair movement.

Founded in 2015, Nature’s Little Secret is a U.S. brand offering plant-based haircare formulated for curly, coily, and textured hair. The brand’s bestsellers, such as the Coconut Milk Shampoo and Banana Leave-In Conditioner, use food-grade natural ingredients for gentle nourishment. All products are vegan, sulfate-free, and hand-crafted in small batches. Nature’s Little Secret emphasizes transparency, ingredient simplicity, and effective hydration. What makes it distinctive is its kitchen-inspired approach to curl care, providing moisture-rich products that feel as wholesome as they are effective.