black-owned businesses
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New Growth: 18-Year-Old Beauty Entrepreneur Zandra Cunningham Lands Her Plant-Based Brand in Target
There’s a fresh face in the beauty business—and she just scored a big win! Black News reports that Zandra Cunningham, one of our 2018 Young Futurists, just landed a partnership with Target to take her eponymous plant-based line to the next level! The big box retailer is giving coveted shelf space to an exclusive Zandra…
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Barbara Gardner Proctor, Trailblazing Ad Woman, Dies at 85
In 1963, Barbara Gardener Proctor was flying to Europe to swap records while working for a black-owned record company. Upon her arrival back home, Vee-Jay records started publicizing her find. Soon, “England’s No.1 Vocal Group,” the Beatles, would be everywhere. Proctor, a trailblazing businesswoman and community activist, died on Dec. 19, according to her son…
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Will Madam C.J. Walker’s Home Become an Incubator for Black Women Entrepreneurs?
He’s co-built a beauty empire on his grandmother’s legacy, brought Essence magazine back to fully black-owned status, and at this summer’s Essence Festival (his first as owner), announced The New Voices Fund, a $100 million investment in black women entrepreneurs. Now, Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands (Shea Moisture, Nubian Heritage, etc.) and…
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12 Days of Gifting, Day 12: Stuff Those Stockings!
If your family is one that goes all out to celebrate Christmas, no doubt you’re familiar with the tradition of filling Christmas stockings, in addition to presents under the tree. (It’s a European tradition, but a fun one, nevertheless). In fact, I’d guess that my parents are currently shopping for items to fill the personalized…
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12 Days of Gifting, Day 10: For the Escape Artist
You know what’s better than being home for the holidays? Globetrotting to an exotic locale—preferably one where it’s summer this time of year. Alas, we’re stuck behind our laptops, but we all have that someone in our lives who seems to be on a perpetual vacation (seriously, where do they get the time—or the money?)…
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Bevel Makes a Big Announcement: They're Becoming a Subsidiary of Procter & Gamble
Big news from Tristan Walker, founder of revolutionary razor brand, Bevel (and two-time Root 100 honoree): his six-year-old Walker & Company brands is being acquired by household goods juggernaut Procter & Gamble. As reported by Fast Company: While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, other details were: Within the first half of…
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12 Days of Gifting, Day 9: For Folk Who Stay Woke
If you’re reading this, you likely already know that, here at The Root, Black Lives Matter every day. That said, while we readily condemn all tyranny and marginalization that crosses our paths, due to the demands of our workloads, we’re admittedly predominantly laptop activists—and accordingly, online shoppers. (Hey, everybody has their lane.) But what about…
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12 Days of Gifting, Day 7: The ‘Cool Auntie’ Guide
Fun fact: I am a proud auntie and godmother, as well as a fashion writer. This means the bar is set pretty high for gift-giving each holiday season, much to my chagrin. And admittedly, sometimes, I strike out—like last year, when, at my sister’s request, I gifted my then two- and five-year-old niece and nephew…
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12 Days of Gifting, Day 6: What Do Men Want?
We’ve been told that men are simple. We’d dare to disagree, and say it ain’t necessarily so. In fact, some men are about as simple as a Rubik’s Cube (basic and kinda cute on the outside, then unnecessarily complicated); especially when it comes to shopping for one who simply shrugs when you ask him what’s…
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12 Days of Gifting, Day 5: Get Them Bodied
Wanna show someone you really care this holiday? Help them take care of themselves, inside and out. In fact, help get them prepared ahead of the “new year, new you” rush by gathering all the resources they need to start a fresh routine or maintain an already healthy one. From vitamins to workout wear that’ll…