One of the best ways to support the Black community — and Black moms in particular — is by shopping from Black-mom-owned businesses. These moms are out there making huge waves in their industries, innovating new products, ways of marketing, and doing business. But it's an uphill climb. According to small-business specialist Fundera, only about 4% of all startups are founded by Black women, thanks to racial disparities in access to capital and other resources. And that's not even going into the years of systemic racism that makes starting a business as a Black woman an uphill climb from the jump.
Best Products is committed to bringing you not only the best products; we are also committed to making sure that we support and uplift Black-owned businesses that may not get all the attention they deserve. Mothers are the backbone of a community — they know what people need and they find a way to get it done. And that's what these Black mom-owned businesses are so great at accomplishing. Black moms launch new businesses that really fill a void in the marketplace, designing dynamic and exciting brands that are absolutely revolutionizing the way we consider entrepreneurs and businesses as a whole.
Whether it's in beauty, baby goods, tech, or even tea, these mothers are taking all of the strength, knowledge, and love they have as moms, and using it to build their businesses. Here are some of our favorites.
Fe Noel
Brooklyn-based designer and mom Felisha Noel has dressed loads of celebs, including Michelle Obama and the one and only Beyoncé. Having grown up around the industry, she began designing at a young age, and her success only continues with collections at Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Best Pick: Fe Noel Isle of Spice Wrap Dress
Ecoslay
Founded by mom Adria Marshall in 2015, this haircare brand for curly hair has quickly become a fan favorite. (One such fan? Best Products' parenting editor, who uses the Banana Cream Deep Conditioner religiously on her highly porous, low-protein, 3B curls.)
Marshall, a self-described mom, wife, consumer, techie, and person of faith, wanted to create a product that worked on curls, was gentle on the environment, and could help others achieve their biggest hair goals.
Best Pick: Banana Cream Deep Conditioner
Happy Mango
This Atlanta-based children's store is owned by powerhouse Black momma Phnewfula Newfala. Her store, which sells everything from strollers and cribs to eco-friendly baby products and the best-smelling candles to ever grace your olfactory senses, has an easily navigable website and chic storefront.
Apart from running her wildly successful business, Newfala is a mom dedicated to racial and social justice. She can regularly be seen on her Instagram page encouraging others to vote and engage in politics.
Best Pick: Konges Slojd Leo Swim Turban
Viva La Silk
Owner and mom of two My-Cherie creates stunning kimonos, wrap pants, silk wraps, scarves, and scrunchies that are gentle on your hair and beautiful to behold. The Viva La Silk scarves are incredibly versatile, thanks to their size and fabric, and can be worn as skirts, tops, or even decor in your home. Her latest line of patterns mimics the natural beauty of gemstones like citrine and smoky quartz in a trendy tie-dye style that you'll absolutely adore.
Best Pick: Fortuna Gold Mini Kaftan
SheWarrior
A boxing promoter, business owner, and mom of three, Natlyn Jones founded SheWarrior, an athletic apparel company poised to take on the industry by leading the way in designing fashion-forward, eco-friendly activewear.
Sustainable activewear is growing in popularity, but what sets SheWarrior apart is that all of their goods are made in Austin, Texas. The patterns are eye-catching, the bras are out-of-this-world great, and the hoodies come off the line feeling like they've been worn and washed a million times.
Best Pick: Winner's Circle Crop Tank
The Crayon Case
Chances are, if you’re on Instagram and love makeup, you’ll be familiar with Raynell “Supa Cent” Steward’s brand The Crayon Case. Supa Cent herself is a mom of two, and started the beauty brand with the idea that everyone should have access to beautiful, highly pigmented, cruelty-free makeup. The brand notes on its Instagram account that it’s “dedicated to amateur makeup users,” but has many devoted expert fans as well.
Best Pick: The Blush Binder
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Emanate Essentials
Founder and mom Sha Hannah-Santo developed Emanate Essentials. She told Nourish Beauty Box that she “found joy in creating simple, balanced skincare with ingredients I didn't have to worry about." Once she began formulating personal care products for herself and her family, the business grew pretty quickly. Her candles, body washes, massage bars, and soaps have a huge following, thanks to their rich formula and dreamy fragrances.
Best Pick: Feel Good Body Cream
Lucy Lue Organics
Like many of us, after Tash Prendergast gave birth, her priorities changed. She wrote on her website, “Motherhood changed me in ways I never thought possible. As a working mom, I soon realized how difficult the work-life balance could be. I never wanted to miss a big moment of my son’s life, and I knew that something had to change. That is when I left behind a career I loved to create Lucy Lue Organics — a brand that I’m passionate about.”
Lucy Lue Organics makes some of the sweetest baby and toddler clothes out there. They are an ideal fit for baby shower gifts or as a coming home outfit, thanks to their throwback, ethereal style.
Best Pick: Organic Baby Romper
Wheat Penny Press
Founded by mom of five Rebekah Borucki, Wheat Penny Press is a relatively new independent publishing house that focuses on featuring stories of children from all cultures. Books like Zara's Big Messy Day That Turned Out OK by Borucki herself and The Day We Found Our Yay by Addye Durant are not only entertaining, but also teach children vital strategies for calming themselves down and finding their center.
They also have a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit public charity, the WPP Little Readers Big Change Initiative, Inc., which "provides free books, mental wellness tools, and writing workshops for students in grades Pre-K to 8, public libraries, and community organizations."
Best Pick: Zara's Big Messy Day by Rebekah Borucki
Partake Foods
Founder Denise Woodard started Partake Foods because her daughter has severe food allergies, and she wasn't satisfied with the options available on the market. She worked tirelessly to develop delicious, allergen-free cookies that are now available nationwide.
And you would absolutely never know they're allergen-friendly — they're that good.
Best Pick: Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies
