Our Favorite Things (& the Entrepreneurs behind them!)
The highlight of my afterschool TV watching as a kid was, without a doubt, that one day a year when The Oprah Show turned into Oprah’s Favorite Things. Nevermind that I was a suburban highschooler and had no need for cashmere leisure suits or underwater cameras -- I wanted it all. I still can’t resist clicking on a gift list around this time of year. But I have wondered as I’ve looked through this year -- what about 2020? What will gift giving or holidays even look like?
In a year in which we have all collectively suffered through the pandemic, gifts may not seem right for some people. Gift giving may be outside of your budget this year. At the same time, in a year in which small businesses, artists and chefs have lost income, there is an opportunity to be intentional if you choose to give gifts this year. There’s never a better time to align our dollars spent with our values. Here is a list of Black female entrepreneurs worth following on social and/or supporting through purchasing gifts for your family, friends or yourself!
Have more entrepreneurs or Black owned businesses to share? Let us know in the comments!
1. Hawa Hassan
Kara Birnbaum/TODAY (Source)
Hawa Hassan, food entrepreneur and author, has a new cookbook and a line of Somali sauces that both make great gifts. In Bibi’s Kitchen includes 75 recipes and stories gathered from bibis (grandmothers) from eight African nations: South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and Eritrea. Basbaas Sauces are hot sauces in flavors like Coconut Cilantro Chutney and Tamarind Date.
2. Christina Funke Tegbe
Christina Funke Tegbe pictured in the back(Source)
Christina Funke Tegbe is the founder of 54 Thrones -- an African beauty brand using ingredients that women have used for many generations. Why the name 54 Thrones? There are 54 countries that make up the continent of Africa, where they source their organic ingredients and work collaboratively with artisans, coops and businesses. Their Beauty Butters are made from rich shea butter with scents and ingredients like Moroccan Blue Tansy and Egyptian Blue Chamomile and make amazing gifts!
3. Trinity Mouzon Wofford
Golde founder Trinity Mouzon Wofford (Source)
Love a golden latte? Trinity Mouzon Wofford’s Golde has a wealth of wellness and beauty products to try. I love the Cacao Turmeric Superfood Latte. They have a matcha set that would make a great gift as well as a Clean Greens Face mask that is “basically a green smoothie for your skin.”
4. Ashley Rouse
Chef Ashley Rouse (Source)
Chef Ashley Rouse created Trade Street Jam Company out of her apartment in 2008. You can find her vegan low-sugar jams in flavors like sour cherry ginger, strawberry chipotle & fig and smoked yellow peach. There’s even a sweet potato biscuit mix!
5. Mikaila Ulmer
Mikaila Ulmer showing her product (Source)
Austin’s local celebrity entrepreneur started her first business when she was just 5 years old. Mikaila Ulmer became fascinated with bees at a young age. She started selling honey-sweetened lemonade and founded her own company Me & The Bees Lemonade, that grew and grew, even landing her on Shark Tank! On their website, you can also purchase beeswax lip balm in scents like vanilla, mint and blackberry. Mikaila also wrote a book -- Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid -- to inspire youth and adults alike!
6. Aurora James
Aurora James (Source)
I’ve long been a fan of Aurora James and Brother Vellies. Their made-to-last-a-lifetime shoes and accessories are made in places like Mexico, Morocco and Ethiopia. This year, Aurora started Something Special, a subscription that sends you a surprise artisan-made good every month (which would make a great gift!). In addition, she created the Fifteen Percent Pledge, asking major retailers to commit a minimum of 15% of their shelf to Black-owned businesses.
7. Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart
Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart (Source)
Love vintage? Looking for something unique? Founders and couple Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart share their collection of Black cultural artifacts that range from art to magazines and books to toys to at their shop and site BLK MKT Vintage.
