Born from founder VaLanDria Smith-Lash’s effort to ease her mother’s lupus-related skin irritation, Coarse Culture makes all-natural whipped shea butter for skin and hair. The Black-owned business is headquartered in Oxford, Ohio, where its products are made through Miami University’s College@Elm Innovation Center and students gain hands-on experience through the Culture Cohort. Smith-Lash began developing the product at age 14 and later launched Coarse Culture publicly while attending college.
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Nae Nae's NaturalsNae Nae’s Naturals is a Black, family-owned business run by husband-and-wife team Terrence and Nevadra “Nae Nae” Johnson. Nevadra developed the company’s signature formula after spending two years seeking a natural answer to her children’s eczema and dry, itchy scalps; an unexpected effect on their hair led the family to share it with friends and build a brand for women with kinky-curly coils.GERMANTOWN, MD
Hamlin ApothecaryHandmade in Harlem, Hamlin Apothecary creates all-natural whipped body butter by infusing moisturizing butters and oils with botanicals. Mommy-owned, made and operated, the brand grew from founder Terri Freeman’s search for cleaner body care during pregnancy and draws inspiration from her great-great-grandfather’s Hamlin Drugs, founded in Raleigh in 1904. Its products are produced in micro-batches, with aromatherapy-based scents and carefully sourced, food-grade-or-better raw ingredients.
JOSHICA BEAUTYFounded by Air Force veteran and natural-hair advocate Joshica Kiah Craig, JOSHICA BEAUTY makes handcrafted hair and skincare for 4C afro-textured hair and clean-beauty routines. The Black woman-owned brand grew from Craig’s own natural-hair journey and uses essential oils, botanicals, and nourishing plant-based ingredients to help customers care for their hair while embracing its natural texture. JOSHICA BEAUTY has been in business for 10 years and also supports self-esteem initiatives encouraging young Black women to love their natural hair.UPPER MARLBORO, MD
RareGlo Organic Shea ProductsFrom Gaithersburg, RareGlo Organic Shea Products makes small-batch, vegan plant-based skincare and haircare, led by Rhonda Walters after more than 40 years in the beauty business. Her whipped shea butter blends and serums grew out of personal skin issues and training in aromatherapy and holistic beauty, with products designed for nourishing skin, hair and nails without harsh commercial ingredients.GAITHERSBURG, MD