Saphire Essentials brings Nigerian craft to modern wardrobes and daily routines through handmade African fashion, body care, and other essentials. Its boubou dresses and popular African net sponges are ethically sourced from Nigeria, while the Maryland-based brand supports local artisans, sustainable job opportunities, and lower-waste packaging. Saphire Essentials is a Black-owned, woman-owned business built around celebrating African culture with purpose.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
Compliance program
Black-Owned
Compliance program
Woman-Owned
Compliance program
Natural AWANatural AWA is an Ohio-based beauty brand creating natural skincare from African ingredients, including oils, shea butter and botanical treatments. Founded by Senegal-born Awa Mbaye after her own experience formulating moisturizers for dry, irritated skin, the brand draws on West African beauty rituals while sourcing primarily from women-led cooperatives in Senegal and Mauritania. Its production uses cold-pressed ingredients and a zero-waste approach, with fair-trade sourcing supporting women producers and community empowerment.BRICE, OH
AFROTHREADS LLCFounded by Ghanaian-American sisters Evonne and Erika, AFROTHREADS LLC is an African textile design studio creating fashion and decor from authentic African fabrics. Operating in Accra, Ghana, and Baltimore, Maryland, the studio sources directly from African artisans and brands after discovering that many prints sold in Ghana were made elsewhere. Its online store launched in 2019, alongside education about textile history and a focus on preserving cultural techniques through handmade, limited collections.
FlocareBeautyBorn from a mother’s search for gentler care for her son, FlocareBeauty makes handmade natural skincare and haircare in Ghana for families, including babies and people with sensitive or melanin-rich skin. Founded in November 2017 under woman-owned Ghanaian enterprise Afcallo Ventures, the brand uses minimally processed African botanicals such as shea butter, baobab oil and coconut oil. Its work extends beyond the products through fair-trade sourcing from women processors, skills training and support for mothers of premature babies.BRONX, NY
The Happy Hues CompanyFounded by mother of three Eunique Jones Gibson, The Happy Hues Company makes baby essentials designed to give little ones comfort and a stronger sense of representation. Its diapers, training pants and wipes pair gentle, skin-conscious materials with culturally rich, affirming designs inspired by Gibson’s realization that her daughter could not see herself reflected in training pants. The Black-owned company donates 5% of its net proceeds to organizations serving underserved youth.