35 Black-Owned Wellness Brands to Shop and Support
There is a lot of work to be done to support the Black community, stand up against racial injustices and police brutality, and educate and learn about the systemic racism and biases that infiltrate our communities (and ourselves). Some of that work involves protesting, donating, reading, listening, writing to government leaders, and talking to our own family and friends about racism. We at Who What Wear and THE/THIRTY are committed to putting in the work and learning so much more.
One other thing you can do to support the Black community now and always? Using your spending power to put your money, if you can, toward some amazing Black-owned businesses. This is especially important now, considering many of these businesses have been hit hardest financially by the COVID-19 pandemic (see a helpful graphic here).
To start, we’ve compiled a list of noteworthy Black-owned wellness brands and businesses below. This list, of course, is not exhaustive, and we’re looking to add even more going forward. Send us a DM on @thethirty if you want to share a brand you love. And check out our lists of Black-owned fashion and beauty brands as well.
Health/Food/Supplements
Golde
Golde Matcha Turmeric Latte Blend ($29)
Brooklyn-based Golde was co-founded by CEO Trinity Mouzon Wofford in 2017. The brand features both food and beauty products, all with superfood ingredients. Our editors are big fans of Golde’s latte blends (turmeric, cacao turmeric, and matcha turmeric).
The Honey Pot Company
The Honey Pot Company Menstrual Cup ($21)
Natural feminine-care brand The Honey Pot Company was founded by Bea Dixon, who suffered from bacterial vaginosis and was inspired to make products to protect and balance the vagina from infections or irritations. Offerings include tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and feminine wipes and washes.
Movita Organics
Movita Organics Multivitamin Bottle ($38)
Movita Organics was founded by TV and film producer, author, and health advocate Tonya Lewis Lee. The women’s wellness brand has a multivitamin, beauty supplement, and prenatal vitamin—all three are certified organic and gluten-, dairy-, egg-, meat-, and allergen-free.
Peak and Valley
Peak + Valley Balance My Stress Blend ($35)
Founded by Nadine Joseph, Seattle-based Peak and Valley makes adaptogen blends designed to lift your mood, help your focus, and nourish your skin. All of the ingredients are organic, vegan, and ethically sourced.
Sacred Vibes Apothecary
Sacred Vibes Apothecary Cleanse: Anti-inflammatory Tonic ($35)
Herbalist Karen Rose founded Sacred Vibes Apothecary, a Brooklyn spot that is both a shop and a learning and community center. In addition to her healing elixirs, tonics, body sprays, and more, Rose also offers apprenticeship and gardening workshops.
Self-Care/Skincare
Aba Love Apothecary
Aba Love Apothecary Flower Crown Facial Serum ($21)
Aba Love Apothecary’s founder Aba Gyepi-Garbrah uses her plant medicine and aromatherapy knowledge to formulate oils, mists, and serums that are soothing and healing. She also offers private consultations to create personal aromatherapy blends, too.
Alchemy Body Shop
Alchemy Body Shop Halo Body Scrub ($20)
CEO and founder Veronica Smith founded Alchemy Body Shop when she saw a need for natural and organic skincare products that were actually affordable. The shop features candles, balms, body butters, healing oils, and bath scrubs and soaks—all with botanical ingredients.
Brown Girl Jane
Brown Girl Jane Sleep 1500mg Daily Drops ($98)
Sisters Malaika and Nia Jones and beauty and wellness expert Tai Beauchamp created plant-based CBD-focused Brown Girl Jane to make wellness products accessible for women of color. The collection has so much variety for all different kinds of needs, from sleep drops to a facial serum to body butter.
Emanate Essentials
Emanate Essentials Muscle Blend ($13)
Emanate Essentials’ founder, Sha Hannah-Santo, is a massage the
rapist and aromatherapist who wanted to create wellness and self-care products with the “junk.” Her line of natural small-batch products include perfumes, soaps, scrubs, and candles.
Homebody
Homebody Full Spectrum of Possibilities ($42)
The most relaxing bath experience is just a soak away with Homebody’s blends. The colorful soaks—in pastel blues, pinks, and purples—will just make you smile (and feel good, too, of course). They’re formulated to help you de-stress, relieve muscle tension, and nourish your skin.
Oui the People
Oui the People Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor ($75)
Oui the People is making shaving a better experience. The brand’s single-blade safety razors give a close, smooth shave while avoiding ingrown hairs and razor burn. And while you’re adding a rose gold razor to your shopping cart, don’t forget the bikini line sheet masks or body gloss for pre- or post-skincare.
Plant Apothecary
Plant Apothecary Wakey Wakey ($20)
With products called Wakey Wakey, Calm Down, and Wash Your Face, Plant Apothecary does a good job of toeing the line between being playful and offering seriously effective products. The skincare and bath line is all clean and organic and made for pretty much all skin types.
Play Pits
Play Pits Queen Natural Deodorant ($12)
Play Pits all started when Chantel Powell made an all-natural deodorant for her 6-year-old son, Kam, who encouraged her to make it for everyone. Now the brand has grown to offer deodorants for adults, too.
Taylor + Tess
Taylor + Tess In the Buff Cleansing Bar ($20)
Tess Taylor created CBD skincare line Taylor + Tess with the ethos that it wasn’t going to be marketed by race, gender, age, or sexual orientation, and it was going to help de-stigmatize hemp and cannabis. Products include a cleansing bar, face moisturizer, and toning spray—all plant-based, toxic-free, and made with hemp-derived CBD.
Fitness
Former SoulCycle instructor Angela Manuel-Davis co-founded new fitness studio Aarmy with Akin Akman and Trey Laird in 2019. The studio offers cycle and boot camp classes and will soon offer lift and stretch sessions, too. Right now, with gyms closed because of the pandemic, they’re offering free practices on IGTV.
Founded by former music exec Akinah Rahmaan, Banana Skirt Productions offers fitness classes that are basically dance parties. Signature classes include Starpop Dance Class, Ratchet Fitness, and Beyoncercise. With recent events, the studio is offering daily live streams via a subscription on Patreon.
Culture Fit
Culture Fit Criss-Cross Sports Bra: Purple Ankara ($30)
If you’re looking for something that’s far from your average workout bra and leggings, Culture Fit’s activewear features beautiful West African print designs to stand out in. Each piece is made of quality, sweat-wicking material and is designed for comfort. The brand also makes yoga mats.
Celebrity trainer Leyon Azubuike (his clients include Jennifer Aniston) founded boxing studio Gloveworx in 2015. The studio (which has locations in L.A. and New York) offers small and large group sessions for different ability levels. You can book virtual sessions right now to work out at home.
Yoga teacher, personal trainer, and holistic health coach Koya Webb founded Get Loved Up, a wellness brand and community that includes teacher trainings, retreats, breathwork sessions, nutrition programs, a podcast, and a subscription-based app. Webb is also offering virtual teacher and holistic health trainings right now.
You might be familiar with Taylor Elyse Morrison’s Inner Workout already. We got to learn about her morning routine previously. But if you’re not in the know, it’s a workout that completely revolves around self-care. Each session focuses on the body and mind, so there’s so movement, journaling, meditation, and breathwork. Digital classes start at $12.
Celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins features free workout ideas on her Instagram feed, but if you really want to get serious about your fitness, you can join her Hollywood Trainer Club. You’ll have access to over 500 workout videos, healthy recipes, and an active community.
Yoga instructor, author, and advocate Jessamyn Stanley is one of our favorite fitness experts. Her all-inclusive approach to yoga is so inspiring and motivating. While she teaches all over the country, she also has a yoga app, The Underbelly, which is offering a two-week free trial right now.
Kemetic Knowledge
Kemetic Knowledge Rose God|dess Leggings ($54)
Named after the ancient civilization of Kemet (which is now Egypt) and its ancient scholars, Kemetic Knowledge’s mission is to “draw attention to Africans’ significant role by honoring them through our line of clothing.” In addition to activewear like leggings and sports bras, the brand also has swimsuits, too.
Pru Apparel
Pru Apparel Elani Set ($60)
Pru Apparel incorporates Ankara prints into its sports bras, leggings, and shorts. And you’re getting high-quality activewear—every piece is squat-proof, moisture-wicking, and not see-through.
Rec Room
Rec Room Slip ($128)
I’m completely obsessed with Rec Room’s line of comfortable and stylish athleisure. All of its pieces are so easy to throw on after a trip to the gym or when you’re out running errands or meeting up with friends. And it’s good quarantine fashion, too. I’ve been wearing its slip dress around the house when I feel like “dressing up.”
Trap Yoga creator Britteny Floyd-Mayo wanted to create a different kind of yoga experience for people who felt ostracized in traditional classes. The result is a Vinyasa-style class paired with trap music spun by a live DJ and motivational talk, which Floyd-Mayo calls “ratchet affirmations.” You can sign up to join the online community and get access to yoga videos, workshops, and more.
Home
Antik Lakay
Antik Lakay Home ($32)
Antik Lakay’s candles will look right at home with any cool girl’s minimal aesthetic. And the scents are so inviting, from Home (anise, lily, and blond woods) to Growth (fir needles, frankincense, and oud).
Alexandra Winbush
Alexandra Winbush Sunday in Brooklyn Candle ($25)
If candles and tea are an essential part of your self-care routine, Alexandra Winbush should be your go-to brand. Both the candles and tea blends feature soothing, feel-good scents and flavors like pomegranate ginger and lemongrass. Right now, most of the products are sold out, but a restock is coming soon, so follow the brand on Instagram to stay up to date.
Bolé Road
Bolé Road Bale Rug ($155)
Interior designer Hana Getachew founded Brooklyn-based Bolé Road as a way to merge her Ethiopian culture with her love of design. You’ll find everything from pillows to rugs to coasters to curtains in both bold colors and neutrals.
Harlem Candle Company
Harlem Candle Company Josephine Luxury Candle ($45)
Teri Johnson founded Harlem Candle Company in 2014 with her love of fragrance, jazz, and Harlem as inspiration. The brand features candles named after James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, and Josephine Baker.
Jungalow
Jungalow Kaya Ceramic Cups by Justina Blakeney ($20)
We got to hear about Jungalow founder Justina Blakeney’s story on the Second Life podcast, and I’ve personally been a fan of hers for years. Her lush, colorful aesthetic has definitely shaped my own interior design POV. You’ll find wallpapers, planters, art, rugs, pillows, tabletop pieces, and more on her site.
Lalese Stamps creates unique ceramic pieces from her Columbus, Ohio, studio. She recently embarked on her 100 Day project, where she designed mugs with crazy-cool handles in, you guessed it, 100 days. Due to high demand, her shop is closed right now, but you can subscribe to her newsletter to get updates.
NaturalAnnie Essentials
NaturalAnnie Essentials Be the Change ($23)
Candles already can help us on our road to self-care, but what about a candle with a motivating phrase? NaturalAnnie Essentials features candles with phrases like “Be the Change,” “Creating All the Things,” and “Currently Unbothered.” Other offerings include skincare products like hand butters and hand sanitizers.
Pretty Honest Candles
Pretty Honest Candles Honeysuckle Jasmine ($20)
Pretty Honest Candles’ products are soy, biodegradable, and have a long burn time (50 hours!). And they come in such interesting and inviting scents like fresh coffee, Egyptian musk, clean cotton, and honeysuckle jasmine.
Pur Home
Pur Home Clean Home Bundle ($45)
If you’re looking for all-natural and nontoxic cleaning products, look no further than Angela Richardson’s company, PUR Home. The brand is Leaping Bunny–certified and has favorable ratings from the Environmental Working Group. We love that the laundry detergent comes in a container made of newspaper and cardboard that’s compostable and recyclable.
Next up: How to Take Meaningful Action Right Now, From Small to Big Ways
This article originally appeared on The Thirty
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