🌟 Introduction: Why This Guide Matters
In a world where every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in, supporting BIPOC-owned businesses is a powerful way to promote equity, celebrate diverse cultures, and invest in communities that have historically been underrepresented. This guide spotlights innovative brands that are not only creating exceptional products but also weaving rich narratives of heritage, resilience, and creativity into their offerings. Whether you're seeking to enrich your daily rituals or find meaningful gifts, these businesses offer products that resonate with purpose and authenticity.
Maison Jila
Maison Jila is a luxury fragrance house rooted in the rich heritage of Cameroon’s Bamileke tribe. Inspired by traditions where scent signified honor and achievement, Maison Jila’s debut fragrance, K’oue, celebrates legacy, resilience, and the spirit of those who dared to pursue greatness across generations and continents. Worn as a symbol of pride and belonging, K’oue connects wearers to their roots—offering a fragrant reminder that they are the dreams of their ancestors. More scents and traditional beauty tools are coming soon.
Item to Buy: K'oue by Maison Jila
Our first fragrance, K’oue by Maison Jila, is an invitation to a journey where untamed elegance meets bold sophistication. Inspired by the spirit of adventure and the warmth of Cameroon's beautiful lands, this fragrance captures the essence of luxury and wanderlust. It opens with a candescent burst of ripe, golden fruits, with their sun-kissed sweetness balanced by a whisper of smokiness. As it unfolds, vibrant spice and earthy richness emerge, grounding the scent in refined depth and complexity. The fragrance finishes sensually and commanding with layers of warmth, leather, and wood creating a lasting impression of strength and allure.
K’oue is crafted for the woman who moves through the world with grace and intention — a connoisseur of culture, beauty, and experience. It is more than a fragrance; it is a statement, a memory, a passport to the extraordinary. Shop: Maisonjila.com | Use code BLOG20 for $20 off the perfume!
Construct The Present
Construct The Present is a Portland-based consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) services. With over 30 years of combined experience, the team collaborates with nonprofits, government agencies, and private companies nationwide to foster inclusive environments where all voices are recognized and respected. Their approach integrates adult learning principles to facilitate meaningful organizational change, emphasizing the creation of systems that work for everyone. As part of their commitment to social impact, they dedicate 5% of their time to support Black-led and serving nonprofits.
Item to Buy: Constructing Perspectives Reflections Journal
The "Constructing Perspectives Reflections Journal" is revolutionary reflection journal for individuals and facilitators who want immediate access to powerful, thought-provoking content. Each page includes carefully crafted prompts, reflection exercises, and guided questions designed to deepen your understanding of values, power, identity, and social justice. The Journal was created by Black innovator and educator Alexis Braly James, who helps companies and individuals unlock their strengths to help educate, heal and connect. Shop: Constructthepresent.com
Cheekbone Beauty
Founded by Jenn Harper, a member of the Anishinaabe community, Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned clean beauty brand that integrates Indigenous teachings with sustainable practices. The company's philosophy is rooted in the concept of "Two-Eyed Seeing," which combines Western science with Indigenous knowledge. Cheekbone Beauty's products are vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged with sustainability in mind, often using biodegradable or reusable materials. The brand has also donated over $150,000 to support Indigenous youth and communities, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Item to buy: Sustain Lipstick in 'Aki' shade. This buildable satin vegan lipstick is formulated with shea butter and ingredients derived from vegetable feedstocks. The 'Aki' shade, meaning "earth" in Anishinaabemowin, offers a warm, earthy tone suitable for everyday wear. The packaging is 85% compostable and biodegradable, aligning with the brand's commitment to sustainability. Shop: Cheekbonebeauty.com
McBride Sisters Wine Company
Established in 2005 by sisters Robin and Andréa McBride, McBride Sisters Wine Company is the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States. The sisters, who were raised separately in Monterey, California, and Marlborough, New Zealand, discovered each other in 1999 and bonded over their shared passion for wine. They began importing wines from New Zealand and eventually started producing their own, combining old-world elegance with new-world finesse. Their portfolio includes the McBride Sisters Collection, Black Girl Magic Wines, and SHE CAN Wines and spritzers. The company is committed to sustainability, inclusivity, and accessibility in the wine industry, and has launched initiatives like the SHE CAN Fund to support professional development for women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Item to buy: Black Girl Magic Riesling. This wine is a tribute to the resilience and achievements of Black women, offering a vibrant and aromatic profile with notes of tropical fruit and citrus. It's perfect for celebrations or as a thoughtful gift that honors cultural heritage. Shop: Mcbridesisters.com
Ami Colé
Founded in 2021 by Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye in Harlem, Ami Colé is a clean beauty brand dedicated to celebrating melanin-rich skin. Drawing inspiration from her Senegalese heritage and her mother's Harlem-based salon, N'Diaye-Mbaye created a line of minimalist, high-performance products that enhance natural beauty without compromising on ingredients. The brand has garnered acclaim for its commitment to inclusivity and has secured investments from major industry players, including L'Oréal.
Item to buy: Skin-Enhancing Tint
This lightweight, breathable tinted moisturizer is formulated with baobab seed extract, hibiscus extract, and pumpkin seed extract to provide a radiant, natural finish. Designed specifically for deeper skin tones, it offers sheer coverage that evens out complexion while letting your skin's natural glow shine through. Perfect for everyday wear, it's a testament to the brand's philosophy of enhancing, not masking, one's natural beauty. ShopL Amicole.com
