Miscellaneous

In 2014, I began researching natural remedies to help relieve my husband's and son’s eczema. Slathering themselves in steroid creams filled with toxic petrochemicals and synthetics was not an option. I thought about all the times my grandmother would make homemade remedies. I immersed myself in books about African herbalism, ancient Egyptian aromatherapy, Southern folk herbalism, and modern-day herbalism. I was surprised to find out that a lot of the remedies my grandmother used to prepare for minor illnesses, which we jokingly called, ‘old wives remedies,’ were found amongst the textbooks I read. I was slack-jaw. My grandmother never put a name to anything she whipped up. She always described these concoctions by their contents, physical features, and where she stored them. Eureka! “So that’s what that stuff was called that she gave us.” It all made sense now. These were herbal remedies passed down from generation to generation from our homeland on the continent of Africa. My ancestors never wrote them down. They were just passed down from memory. I was excited to recognize the decoctions, tinctures, and salves she made. Especially since they cured our ailments! If it worked for all of those generations down to me, then I was going to take up the torch. Armed with my newfound information and vigor, I ventured to make my own products. Therefore, I’d have peace of mind knowing exactly what ingredients are in each product and that they will be effective. Guided by these time-honored African formulations and centuries-old ingredients like Shea butter, nutrient-rich oils and essential oils, I handcrafted my first body butter. Not only did my two favorite guys have success with the body butter for their eczema, we all used it as a daily body moisturizer. The positive changes in our skin were visible to the naked eye. Our skin took on a healthy glow and soft touch. This was great. I had to find other test subjects. I tested the body butter on family and friends. They were good sports about it and no one was harmed during testing. Actually, they all liked the product and the results they saw in their skin. I credit the success of the body butter to my forefathers, who knew how to live in harmony with the earth and its ingredients. I sourced the purest, organic and/or wild-harvested, ingredients I could find. I researched vendors, read every page on their website, requested samples and called them with additional questions. I vetted them thoroughly before I partner with them. Riding high on the response of the body butter, I meticulously tested recipes for body wash, body scrubs, body oils, and bath salts. I knew this journey was going to be a labor of love. I was determined to create a skincare line that people would be passionate about. It was out of this passion and desire that Violet Botanical Skincare was born. I invite you to experience the magic and awaken your nirvana.

xN Studio is a lifestyle. Without borders. Founded in Brooklyn, NY in 2011 by DC-area native Nasozi Kakembo, our multi-disciplinary creative studio resides at the intersection of classic and modern, East and West, innovative and subdued. We express our ethos in how we adorn our sacred spaces, whether those be our homes, our workspaces, or elsewhere. Traditional and timeworn textiles and techniques are the foundation of all of our collections, and from there, we modify the applications and functions to suit a modern and borderless lifestyle. Our furniture and approach to design is intended to suit multiple purposes—our aesthetic signals a practical departure from the expected. The mudcloth and indigo pillows, and Fair Trade collections from Uganda have grown to become the keystone of our work. All of our work is proudly made on the east coast of the United States or in Africa, primarily Uganda where we work work traditional artisans to develop products for e-commerce, wholesale and interior design projects. Nasozi Kakembo is the founder and creative force behind xN Studio. She graduated in 2008 from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP). Her company name derives from her very own, which is a Ugandan name meaning something to look up to in praise of. Born and raised outside of Washington, DC, and a Brooklynite for 12 years Nasozi founded xN Studio in 2011. For the greater part of a decade, she worked in the international human rights and social justice fields, meanwhile indulging in African textiles by night. She still incorporates the fundamental principles of her extensive international experience into her business model. Her Ugandan and American heritage as well as her studies in art history, architecture, and eventually human rights have landed her in the far reaches of the world. She currently resides in the DC-Baltimore area and splits her time between there, Brooklyn, and her home in Kampala, Uganda.

Worst Western is a business powered by one woman, me. This business is black owned, Cuban Owned, and Mexican owned. I am all three, I’m Diana Williams. I started learning how to sew in 2012 in ATX, and since then I haven't stopped. Back in 2013 I officially opened the Worst Western Etsy shop, the Etsy shop no longer exists and now I have my own website. Over the years I've made one-off garments, custom costumes, swim suits, lingerie, and have helped people with alterations. Right now everything has changed. My focus has switched from garment making. With the pandemic I had to “switch gears” and have been making face masks since March 2020. It was also important to me to offer free face masks to those who didn’t have access to them. For something so simple, it has taken a lot of drive. Making masks everyday can be repetitive and boring, but I make sure to use my years of skills for a sturdy product. I can’t wait until the day I can phase out face masks. and go back to designing more garments. My mission is to make clothing for every body type, no matter what gender. I do this by offering custom sizing and I don’t have a limit to what sizes I can produce. I am on the "larger" side of the general sizing chart, and I've always been sick of the poor design choices big designers make for us. Every brand has a different size chart which also doesn’t help us much. Not only am I moving towards making clothing for everyone, I am moving towards being more sustainable. An awesome local fabric store I shopped at in Tucson for 5 years has now closed, so i don’t have access to fabrics that need a second life or vintage fabrics. Now my focus has shifted to buying from black owned fabric sellers, or to small sellers online. I also buy fabric that may be thrown away due to lack of sales or interest. The word “sustainable” doesn’t have a definition when it comes to fashion, and is usually a term used to market more stuff to consumers. So right now, Worst Western shops for fabric with as much integrity as possible. Thank you so much for your strong support over the years, and for investing in a black owned business.

As humans we are multidimensional. We are a collective of experiences, values, hopes, and ideas that continually sculpt each of us. Eyewear allows us to highlight the many facets of who we are. Our mission is to frame who you want to be in the moment whether fun and flirty or business as usual. You, expressed; frame by frame. Focus & Frame Eyewear allows those who require prescription glasses and those who may not to get a framed look. We are a company that believes eyewear can be used to highlight the many qualities of you. Eyewear has long been attributed to aiding an esteemed look. We are here to change that. Our glasses range from conservative and witty to eclectic and playful to suite anyone’s moment of expression; without breaking the bank.

THE ELLA DANE EVOLUTION. What began as an innovative and fashionable diaper bag has evolved into a modern, sophisticated, and stylish bag that suits moms, adventurers, and individuals on the go. It’s the bag made for moms by a mom. We’ve listened to suggestions from hundreds of moms and made upgrades that make our bags even more practical and ideal for anyone searching for the ideal diaper bag. The versatility of the bag’s design is a true reflection of today’s modern mom and her ability to fill so many different roles. This is the bag you’ll need for your daily adventures! The many convenient features and compartments help you stay organized and ready for whatever your day may bring. It can be your travel bag, leisure bag or even a work bag. The last thing you’d think of on seeing this bag is “diaper bag”. MEET THE FOUNDER. Hi there! I’m Lorenda and I came up with the idea for the Ella Dane diaper bag during my search for the perfect fashionable diaper bag while expecting my first child 3 years ago. I wanted something unique, functional, and affordable. After a long search, I couldn’t find what I needed, so I decided to design my own. Something different and functional! It took almost a year to design the first version which I sold online in small quantities. As I gained more experience as a mom, I realized my initial design needed more functional features so I made additional improvements and released a second edition. Eventually, through various inputs from several moms I’ve created this new edition of the bag. The perfect diaper bag! It’s unique, classy, functional and durable!! A bag you’ll love. Today, I’m excited about what we’ve accomplished, and I can’t wait for you to join us on this journey as we continue to improve and grow the Ella Dane movement.

The Sibahle Collection is a product of Bounce Essentials Africa, founded by Caroline Hlahla and Khulile Vilakazi-Ofosu in 2016. Sibahle is a Zulu word that means “We are beautiful”. The Sibahle Collection was born from the need to encourage our black children to be comfortable in their own skin! The first 2 dolls under this collection, i.e. Nobuhle (meaning the one that represents beauty in Zulu) and Bontle (meaning beauty in Sotho) have features that resemble that of an African child. The dolls smell of vanilla and have typical 4C Afro hair. Our hope with these dolls is that they can teach our black children how to care for their own natural hair from a young age as well as grow up being affirmed and taking pride in being African! The world is diverse, with people of different races. South Africa in particular, is affectionately known as the Rainbow Nation. We want every child to grow up aware of the beautiful and rich diversity that South Africa and the world at large has to offer. We are hoping with the addition of the “Rainbow Nation” Collection, we will teach children of all races to appreciate and embrace diversity.

Domonique is a contemporary pop artist from Pomona, California. She creates energetic portraits that defy traditional pictorial representations. As an illustrator, she works from the ground up, layering markers and acrylic strokes until she carves out a colorful portrait. Domonique’s art is a celebration of diversity. Her portraits showcase men and women of color, so people can see a depiction of their identity and feel empowered.

Our Story Is Your Story. We’re all connected – by the earth, by the way we treat each other, and by the world we leave behind for the next generation. Our story begins with you. Who We Are. Here at Reel, we're more than just a paper company. We're a team of like-minded, big-hearted individuals who have a distinct vision for the future. Our vision is shaped by the challenges we see others facing here in the U.S. and around the world – challenges like climate change, lack of sufficient resources, food deserts, and an absolute need for us all to take better care of the planet and each other. The Reel Difference. What if there was a product that helped reduce waste, encouraged conscious consumerism, was made sustainably, and helped improve the quality of life for disadvantaged people worldwide? Now there is. Reel Paper is made of 100% bamboo, making it the most sustainable, eco-friendly toilet paper on the market. Plus, all of our shipping materials are biodegradable and we use plastic-free packaging

"Hi! I am Monica, the Founder of Lit Soul Candles! About four years ago, I turned to meditation to heal from the tough situations I was experiencing. I decided to meditate everyday (morning & night) for 30 days. At first it was weird, but after a couple of weeks, lighting my candle and meditating became the the most important part of my day. My thoughts were no longer in control and I rapidly noticed a transformation in my life. It was like magic, and when the 30 days were up I decided to implement it into my daily routine. One of the best decisions I have made! I believe that meditation has the power to transform our lives. Taking that little moment to center ourselves makes all the difference. I believe that my purpose in life is to encourage meditation to everyone, and hopefully to breakdown some of the stigmas surrounding the practice along the way.The crystals inside of our candles serve as an incentive for daily quiet time. Think Cracker Jacks, but for crystal and candle lovers. My hope is that you enjoy your quiet time, our awesome scents, and then when the time comes- a beautiful meditation crystal! "?

THE VISION BEHIND DOPE SCRUBS. Created by a Nurse Practitioner, Dope Scrubs were designed with the purpose of allowing medical professionals to remain stylish and expressive through their attire without sacrificing function or comfort. "The idea for Dope Scrubs came about after many years of working in nursing management then transitioning into the role of a Nurse Practitioner. Both roles required business casual attire which took time to put together every morning. I wanted a more convenient option for my everyday work attire that still met the requirement for business casual. I couldn't find what I was looking for anywhere! I wanted a combination of edgy and chic but still professional and functional... After searching to no avail, I decided to create them."-Eniola, Dope Scrubs CEO & Founder. Dope Scrubs combine the convenience of scrubs with the elegance of business attire, taking the hassle out of the morning routine of medical professionals. Our scrubs are refined enough for an interview or meeting while simultaneously maintaining practicality for everyday on the job tasks. Dope Scrubs are revolutionizing medical scrubs and the appearance of medical professionals everywhere. AT DOPE SCRUBS...We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to receive an education. The future of healthcare depends on our future healthcare leaders, workers, and professionals. A portion of all purchase proceeds will go towards investing in the education of the future of health care.