Support Businesses Owned by Black Women
Illustration credit: Carla Llanos
The Dandy is sickened by police brutality in this country. We stand united with the entire black community and feel deeply for our black friends. White people have no idea how it feels to be black right now. But we can be an ally. A friend. A person of integrity. The eruption of country-wide protest is just the start of healing systemic racism America has battled since its inception. But we have to start somewhere.
This is obviously less urgent than saving black lives, but being that The Dandy loves music and art, this period in time has us thinking once again about all of the music, art and talent that has been co-opted and appropriated by white people time and time again. Specifically, we just conjured a vision of Katy Perry trying to make a hip hop record with Migos and literally felt a wave of nausea.
We’ve been failed by the federal government and our local governments for YEARS. The Dandy is reading up and doing all that we can to stay knowledgable and show support for people of color—especially in New York, where The Dandy resides. Although we stand with the entire black community, this website is dedicated to highlighting wonderful women. And so, we’ve gathered a list of businesses we love owned by women of color. Support them. Uplift your community. Stay informed. And most of all, stay hopeful.
Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Founder of GOLDE
Golde is a Brooklyn-based wellness brand that offers good-for-you products like turmeric powders and vegan face masks. Trinity Mouzon Wofford founded the brand in 2017 to create a space for wellness-oriented products that were more accessible and inclusive than anything of its ilk on the market. The young entrepreneur changed the game in 2019, becoming the youngest black woman ever to launch a brand at Sephora.
We’re especially fond of Golde’s Matcha Turmeric Tonic and Clean Greens Face Mask.
Holly McWhorter, Founder of Plant Apothecary
Holly McWhorter and her partner founded Plant Apothecary, an organic skincare and bath products company in 2012. She wanted to create a personal care line that offered well-made, cruelty-free skincare products without being overly emphatic about the “luxury” of it all. The result is Plant Apothecary, a brand democratizing the organic wellness space with simple-yet-effective skincare products at a fair price point (with not to mention, great branding!)
The Dandy loves Plant Apothecary’s Super Soak Organic Healing Bath and Super Facial Organic Oil Moisturizer.
Jeannine A. Cook, Founder of Harriett’s Bookshop
Jeannine A. Cook describes her store in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood as “if black girl magic were a bookshop.” Count us in. The former teacher’s mission is to celebrate women artists, authors, and activists. The space itself is warm and inviting with a selection of books featuring great minds, just like a bookshop should be. This quote from Philly Mag pretty much sums up how damn Dandy Jeannine A. Cook is: “I’m a rebellious spirit, determined to do what I think is going to support people and their freedom. That’s what the collection does. Doing that under the name ‘Harriet Tubman’ feels really fitting.”
Support Harriett’s Bookshop by purchasing from their online store (which is currently under construction). If you’re in Philly, buy books here!
Nancy Twine, Founder of Briogeo
Nancy Twine started haircare company Briogeo right out of her East Village apartment. As a former Goldman Sachs executive, Twine knew a thing or two about managing finance and decided to dive headfirst into her passion for natural haircare. Using her grandmother’s beauty care recipes and a team of chemists, Twine developed performance-driven haircare products with a relatable tone and beautiful packaging. Briogeo makes effective formulas for ALL hair types.
The Dandy loves Briogeo’s Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo and Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask.
Angela Richardson, Founder of PUR Home
Angela Richardson is CEO and product developer of PUR Home, a non-toxic household cleaning product company that espouses an eco-friendly lifestyle. Richardson’s love of non-toxic products began a few years back when she started making natural bars of soap in her kitchen. That interest has since evolved into a company that educates consumers on how to use effective and non-toxic cleaning products for better personal health and longevity.
The Dandy is a fan of PUR Home’s Liquid Laundry Detergent and Oxygen Whitener & Odor Remover.