Business Directory
Address:
Washington, D.C.
Short Business Description: Who: Arsha Jones and Charles Jones
When: 2011
Why: Established in 2011, Capital City, was created to give a taste of home to Washington, D.C. metropolitan natives. They are a specialty foods manufacturer, based in Arnold, Maryland, and produce a regional cult-like chicken wing condiment called mambo sauce.
Mambo sauce is a sweet, sticky and tangy chicken wing condiment created and offered only in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The company’s flagship product, Mild Mambo Sauce, is the first commercially bottled alternative for those who love the taste of mambo sauce, but no longer have access to it or simply prefer to eat their meals at home. Capital City’s Mambo Sauce can be found at various retail locations in the Washington, D.C. area, including both retail stores and specialty shops. Additionally, it’s used at several restaurant locations as their “house” wing sauce. Their mission is to provide a delicious alternative to ketchup, share a taste of Washington, D.C. with consumers and be the first choice for kitchens across America that want to spice up their dishes.
Where: Washington, D.C.
When: 2011
Why: Established in 2011, Capital City, was created to give a taste of home to Washington, D.C. metropolitan natives. They are a specialty foods manufacturer, based in Arnold, Maryland, and produce a regional cult-like chicken wing condiment called mambo sauce.
Mambo sauce is a sweet, sticky and tangy chicken wing condiment created and offered only in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The company’s flagship product, Mild Mambo Sauce, is the first commercially bottled alternative for those who love the taste of mambo sauce, but no longer have access to it or simply prefer to eat their meals at home. Capital City’s Mambo Sauce can be found at various retail locations in the Washington, D.C. area, including both retail stores and specialty shops. Additionally, it’s used at several restaurant locations as their “house” wing sauce. Their mission is to provide a delicious alternative to ketchup, share a taste of Washington, D.C. with consumers and be the first choice for kitchens across America that want to spice up their dishes.
Where: Washington, D.C.
Address:
PARIS, Ile de France
Short Business Description: Who: Robyn Rihanna Fenty
When: 2017
Why: Rihanna was inspired to create Fenty Beauty after years of experimenting with the best-of-the-best in beauty—and still seeing a void in the industry for products that performed across all skin types and tones. She launched a makeup line “so that people everywhere would be included,” focusing on a wide range of traditionally hard-to-match skin tones, creating formulas that work for all skin types, and pinpointing universal shades.
Fenty Beauty products are designed to feel lightweight, even as they deliver buildable coverage that effortlessly layers, to ultimately “make skin look like skin.” Most importantly, Rihanna creates makeup to inspire: “Makeup is there for you to have fun with,” she says. “It should never feel like pressure. It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different.”
Where: PARIS, Ile de France
When: 2017
Why: Rihanna was inspired to create Fenty Beauty after years of experimenting with the best-of-the-best in beauty—and still seeing a void in the industry for products that performed across all skin types and tones. She launched a makeup line “so that people everywhere would be included,” focusing on a wide range of traditionally hard-to-match skin tones, creating formulas that work for all skin types, and pinpointing universal shades.
Fenty Beauty products are designed to feel lightweight, even as they deliver buildable coverage that effortlessly layers, to ultimately “make skin look like skin.” Most importantly, Rihanna creates makeup to inspire: “Makeup is there for you to have fun with,” she says. “It should never feel like pressure. It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different.”
Where: PARIS, Ile de France
Address:
Atlanta, GA
Short Business Description: Who: Tristan Walker
When: 2013
Why: Where grooming and lifestyle intersect to unlock a better you. Their vision is to build the world’s most consumer-centric health and beauty products company, inspiring unprecedented consumer loyalty.
Founder Tristan Walker wanted a shave... Not just any shave but A good shave. And he couldn’t get one. His beard is coarse and curly, and traditional razors gave him ingrown hairs. So he created his own shaving kit called Bevel and started Walker & Company Brands. Today, the company has raised more than $9 million in startup funds and is not showing any evidence of slowing down in their field any time soon.
""We want every single household in the world to know and love our brands.""
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: 2013
Why: Where grooming and lifestyle intersect to unlock a better you. Their vision is to build the world’s most consumer-centric health and beauty products company, inspiring unprecedented consumer loyalty.
Founder Tristan Walker wanted a shave... Not just any shave but A good shave. And he couldn’t get one. His beard is coarse and curly, and traditional razors gave him ingrown hairs. So he created his own shaving kit called Bevel and started Walker & Company Brands. Today, the company has raised more than $9 million in startup funds and is not showing any evidence of slowing down in their field any time soon.
""We want every single household in the world to know and love our brands.""
Where: Atlanta, GA
Address:
New York, NY
Short Business Description: Who: Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid
When: 1994
Why: IMAN Cosmetics brings you beauty, fashion and culture commentary from a company designed for women who represent many races, cultures and ethnicities with skin tones in a myriad of shades.
Launched in 1994, the IMAN brand philosophy holds that women with skin of color represent many races, cultures and ethnicities. IMAN Cosmetics are designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades. The brand offers skincare and cosmetics, including 16 foundation shades. IMAN Cosmetics are sold throughout the world including the United States, Canada, UK, France, Africa, and the Caribbean.
It’s a celebration of beauty and you’re invited.
Where: New York, NY
When: 1994
Why: IMAN Cosmetics brings you beauty, fashion and culture commentary from a company designed for women who represent many races, cultures and ethnicities with skin tones in a myriad of shades.
Launched in 1994, the IMAN brand philosophy holds that women with skin of color represent many races, cultures and ethnicities. IMAN Cosmetics are designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades. The brand offers skincare and cosmetics, including 16 foundation shades. IMAN Cosmetics are sold throughout the world including the United States, Canada, UK, France, Africa, and the Caribbean.
It’s a celebration of beauty and you’re invited.
Where: New York, NY
Address:
Brooklyn, NY
Short Business Description: Who: Chioma and Uchenna Ngwudo
When: 2015
Why: Cee Cee's Closet in celebrating the beauty of African prints and designs manifested as headwraps, handbags, and jewelry.
Cee Cee’s Closet was created by Chioma and Uchenna Ngwudo in New York City. Join them in celebrating the beauty of West African prints and designs through their unique accessories. Cee Cee's Closet accessories are designed in house and handmade by artisans in Nigeria. By having their accessories made in Nigeria Cee Cee’s Closet has been able to have a transformative impact on the lives of their artisan partners. Be sure to visit their site often as they're constantly adding new fashionable accessories to the shop.
The founders dedicated this business and project to ""our amazing parents, our beloved Aunt Violet Heckshire, the ever so fierce Tara Heckshire, our friends, and all women who boldly decide to pursue their passions"".
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: 2015
Why: Cee Cee's Closet in celebrating the beauty of African prints and designs manifested as headwraps, handbags, and jewelry.
Cee Cee’s Closet was created by Chioma and Uchenna Ngwudo in New York City. Join them in celebrating the beauty of West African prints and designs through their unique accessories. Cee Cee's Closet accessories are designed in house and handmade by artisans in Nigeria. By having their accessories made in Nigeria Cee Cee’s Closet has been able to have a transformative impact on the lives of their artisan partners. Be sure to visit their site often as they're constantly adding new fashionable accessories to the shop.
The founders dedicated this business and project to ""our amazing parents, our beloved Aunt Violet Heckshire, the ever so fierce Tara Heckshire, our friends, and all women who boldly decide to pursue their passions"".
Where: Brooklyn, NY
Address:
Crown Point, IN
Short Business Description: Who: Monique Rodriguez
When: 2014
Why: Mielle Organic's mission is to help each women empower and embrace their hair and to be able to have healthy beautiful luxurious hair and healthy skin. They are also dedicated to keeping their customers happy with innovative high quality products and the elimination of unnecessary ingredients that are not proven effective for healthy hair and skin. Mielle Organics is a hair care brand known for its focus on incorporating high quality and certified organic ingredients into each of its products and is available for purchase at their website www. mielleorganics.com, Sally Beauty, CVS and Target nationwide.
Where: Crown Point, IN
When: 2014
Why: Mielle Organic's mission is to help each women empower and embrace their hair and to be able to have healthy beautiful luxurious hair and healthy skin. They are also dedicated to keeping their customers happy with innovative high quality products and the elimination of unnecessary ingredients that are not proven effective for healthy hair and skin. Mielle Organics is a hair care brand known for its focus on incorporating high quality and certified organic ingredients into each of its products and is available for purchase at their website www. mielleorganics.com, Sally Beauty, CVS and Target nationwide.
Where: Crown Point, IN
Address:
Baltimore, MD
Short Business Description: Who: Jamyla Bennu
When:2001
Why: Oyin Handmade creates products that are not just natural, but nourishing. Featuring natural formulas and food-grade ingredients, we specialize in high-moisture formulas for highly textured hair and dry skin. Founded in 2003 and based in Baltimore. Shop today to bring love-filled, natural products from our hands to yours.
Where: Baltimore, MD
When:2001
Why: Oyin Handmade creates products that are not just natural, but nourishing. Featuring natural formulas and food-grade ingredients, we specialize in high-moisture formulas for highly textured hair and dry skin. Founded in 2003 and based in Baltimore. Shop today to bring love-filled, natural products from our hands to yours.
Where: Baltimore, MD
Address:
East Orange, NJ
Short Business Description: Who: Calvin Quallis
When: 2015
Why: It’s with that same spirit Scotch Porter continues to build out MULTI-purpose, handmade better-for-you grooming products; solutions to the real issues men face daily. They develop products to enhance the everyday guy’s experience, because, ""...well—we’re guys"". They understand how painful ingrown hairs are. And how you want your skin to be moisturized without being greasy. Or how embarrassing it can be if your meat’s not as fresh as it should be.
Scoth Porter is married to the idea that men should be able to take care of themselves and not have to break the bank. That people shouldn’t have to use products packed with harmful chemicals just to look and feel like a boss.
Where: East Orange, NJ
When: 2015
Why: It’s with that same spirit Scotch Porter continues to build out MULTI-purpose, handmade better-for-you grooming products; solutions to the real issues men face daily. They develop products to enhance the everyday guy’s experience, because, ""...well—we’re guys"". They understand how painful ingrown hairs are. And how you want your skin to be moisturized without being greasy. Or how embarrassing it can be if your meat’s not as fresh as it should be.
Scoth Porter is married to the idea that men should be able to take care of themselves and not have to break the bank. That people shouldn’t have to use products packed with harmful chemicals just to look and feel like a boss.
Where: East Orange, NJ
Address:
Ft. Myers, FL
Short Business Description: Who: Rochelle Graham
When: 2008
Why: Alikay Naturals is well known for natural and organic beauty products that help you in achieving your goals for hair & skin that looks and feels fabulous. Going beyond the conventional perceptions of beauty and wellness, Alikay Naturals aims to be an influencer amongst individuals looking for products with natural & organic ingredients to enhance their lifestyles with nourishment that encourages healthy growth from the inside out. Now you too can achieve the hair and skin of your dreams. Vibrant health, stronger and longer hair, smoother and younger looking skin can be yours with Alikay Naturals.
Coined a ""black beauty pioneer"" by Essence Magazine; Alikay Naturals CEO, Rochelle Graham, turned her kitchen into her first laboratory in 2009 to create the Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil.
Always having felt a connection with nature from her early Jamaican countryside childhood with her herbalist grandmother, the determination that went into Graham’s vigorously detailed research has blossomed into a brand that currently offers a line of more than 60 Hair Care, Skin Care and Bath & Body products sold at select retailers nationwide. Alikay Naturals products are composed of the richest natural & organic ingredients that use the healing properties found in natural humectants to not only define curls, but nurture and replenish moisture from the inside out.
Alikay Naturals has been featured in Sheen, Hype Hair, Upscale, Jones, Today’s Black Woman, Naturally Happy Hair, Mhe, HAPPI, Beauty Consultant, Keep It Kinky and Juicy Magazines.
Keeping to their core value to only use natural & organic ingredients, Alikay Naturals is a brand focused on creating products to help highly textured hair stay healthy and grow longer. Their unique combination of natural & organic ingredients resonates with consumers looking to start or maintain their healthy hair growth with products that offer superior multi-layer, long-lasting moisture.
Where: Ft. Myers, FL
When: 2008
Why: Alikay Naturals is well known for natural and organic beauty products that help you in achieving your goals for hair & skin that looks and feels fabulous. Going beyond the conventional perceptions of beauty and wellness, Alikay Naturals aims to be an influencer amongst individuals looking for products with natural & organic ingredients to enhance their lifestyles with nourishment that encourages healthy growth from the inside out. Now you too can achieve the hair and skin of your dreams. Vibrant health, stronger and longer hair, smoother and younger looking skin can be yours with Alikay Naturals.
Coined a ""black beauty pioneer"" by Essence Magazine; Alikay Naturals CEO, Rochelle Graham, turned her kitchen into her first laboratory in 2009 to create the Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil.
Always having felt a connection with nature from her early Jamaican countryside childhood with her herbalist grandmother, the determination that went into Graham’s vigorously detailed research has blossomed into a brand that currently offers a line of more than 60 Hair Care, Skin Care and Bath & Body products sold at select retailers nationwide. Alikay Naturals products are composed of the richest natural & organic ingredients that use the healing properties found in natural humectants to not only define curls, but nurture and replenish moisture from the inside out.
Alikay Naturals has been featured in Sheen, Hype Hair, Upscale, Jones, Today’s Black Woman, Naturally Happy Hair, Mhe, HAPPI, Beauty Consultant, Keep It Kinky and Juicy Magazines.
Keeping to their core value to only use natural & organic ingredients, Alikay Naturals is a brand focused on creating products to help highly textured hair stay healthy and grow longer. Their unique combination of natural & organic ingredients resonates with consumers looking to start or maintain their healthy hair growth with products that offer superior multi-layer, long-lasting moisture.
Where: Ft. Myers, FL
Address:
Brooklyn, NY
Short Business Description: Who: Carl and Tara Darnley
What: Provides baby and parenting products, focusing on essential items for infants and children.
When: 2018
Why: The mission of Darlyng & Co. is to give parents one less thing to worry about when it comes to caring for their baby. They always have parents in mind in the design process and are proud to present products that are functional, toxic-free, sourced from high-quality materials, and aesthetically pleasing. As a concerned parent, Darlyng & Co. want you to shop with confidence, knowing that they send their products through rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest safety standards and requirements. The founders are committed to never putting something on the market they wouldn’t allow their own children to use.
Sold by fine retailers in the U.S. and internationally, Darlyng & Co. feature high-quality, Eco-friendly items that are ergonomically designed for babies of all abilities and stages. National attention has come their way via features or mentions on the Steve Harvey Show, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, Essence, Black Enterprise and Marie Claire. Nominated Small Family Business of the Year 2018 by Black Enterprise. and recently featured in Forbes.
Darlyng & Co. customers adore their collection of Diaper bags, teething mittens, wooden teethers, suction bowls, sippy cups, toothbrush, toys, and the assortment of head ties, onesies, and other apparel items available in their store!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
What: Provides baby and parenting products, focusing on essential items for infants and children.
When: 2018
Why: The mission of Darlyng & Co. is to give parents one less thing to worry about when it comes to caring for their baby. They always have parents in mind in the design process and are proud to present products that are functional, toxic-free, sourced from high-quality materials, and aesthetically pleasing. As a concerned parent, Darlyng & Co. want you to shop with confidence, knowing that they send their products through rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest safety standards and requirements. The founders are committed to never putting something on the market they wouldn’t allow their own children to use.
Sold by fine retailers in the U.S. and internationally, Darlyng & Co. feature high-quality, Eco-friendly items that are ergonomically designed for babies of all abilities and stages. National attention has come their way via features or mentions on the Steve Harvey Show, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, Essence, Black Enterprise and Marie Claire. Nominated Small Family Business of the Year 2018 by Black Enterprise. and recently featured in Forbes.
Darlyng & Co. customers adore their collection of Diaper bags, teething mittens, wooden teethers, suction bowls, sippy cups, toothbrush, toys, and the assortment of head ties, onesies, and other apparel items available in their store!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
