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Pernell Cezar Jr. and Rod Johnson founded BLK & Bold with the purpose of helping local communities through the sale of caffeinated beverages. BLK & Bold leverages wholesale and direct-to-consumer as a force to equip young people with tools to live their best lives and overcome unfortunate circumstances. The company pledges 5% of profits to initiatives that sustain youth programs, enhance workforce development, and eradicate youth homelessness.
Browsing Adored Vintage’s website of vintage clothing and vintage-inspired modern pieces is like a virtual escape to a romantic French countryside. Owner Rodellee Bas curates and creates pieces out of her affinity for silhouettes of times past. Adored Vintage donates a portion of its revenue to local classrooms, and Rodellee is a regular mentor to other women in business.
Founded by Indigenous owner Jennifer Harper, Cheekbone Beauty creates beauty products that are vegan and cruelty free. As part of the brand’s commitment to becoming waste free by 2023, its lipsticks are packaged in biodegradable paper and use 85% less plastic than traditional lipstick tubes. Cheekbone Beauty’s team founded First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (FNCFCS) and continues to support its initiatives by donating 10% of the profits to Shannen’s Dream.
Life and business partners Tara Pelletier and Jeff Kurosaki are the visual artists and founders behind Meow Meow Tweet. This organic vegan skincare company is known for its products made from natural ingredients and its sustainable packaging featuring whimsical illustrations drawn by Jeff. In addition to donating to and supporting organizations that align with its values, Meow Meow Tweet offers a bulk refill program to reduce packaging and waste and a system for customers who would like to return their empty containers for the team to reuse.
Mom of three Izabela Erşahin is the founder and designer of Bebemoss, a Turkey-based sustainable children’s toy company. Beemoss proudly employs stay-at-home mothers and offers fair pay. Most of the mothers it hires are refugees from Syria, working to rebuild their lives in Turkey. From adorable lions to unicorns to rabbits, each toy is made by moms who are making a living to support their families.
Kirrin Finch is an apparel company offering gender-defying clothes inspired by menswear but designed to fit a range of female and non-binary bodies. Co-founders Kelly and Laura Moffat source eco-friendly fabrics and implement practices that reduce pollution while partnering with fair labor and ethical manufacturers to produce each garment.
Rothy’s transforms eco-friendly materials into stylish footwear and accessories through 3D knitting technology. It also strives for zero waste. Over 60 million plastic water bottles and counting have been turned into bags or shoes by Rothy’s, and its shoeboxes are strong enough to ship without additional packaging. They’re also biodegradable, made with 85% post-consumer recycled materials.
Tomi Gbeleyi used social media to create a community that showcased and celebrated diversity within the beauty industry. By highlighting talent within the community, Tomi created a line of products specifically designed for deeper skin tones. Building MFMG is a way for Tomi to shift the narrative within the beauty industry, push for inclusivity, and get the community as a whole to expand beyond its existing range of shades and tones and create with diversity in mind.
Founded by sisters Sujata and Taniya Biswas, Suta is a fashion house based in Mumbai, India dedicated to employing weavers and artisans in disempowered communities and using sustainable fabrics. Mixing unique handmade fabrics with classic saree silhouettes, dresses, and blouses, Suta’s pieces represent a meeting of tradition, creativity, and design.
Dana Jackson was diagnosed with a severe form of Lupus. The disease impacted her hair and skin, and Dana began searching for pure, all-natural products to rejuvenate her. Dana’s beauty line, Beneath Your Mask, is dedicated to using non-toxic, pure, all-natural ingredients to bring nourishing and healing to beauty routines.
