Black & Afro-Latina-Owned Brands That Deserve More Than Just a One-Month Spotlight
According to the United States Census Bureau, there were approximately 194,585 Black or African American-owned businesses in 2024. These businesses accounted for $211,8 billion in annual receipts, 1,6 million jobs, and about $61,2 billion in annual payroll in the country.
Though these figures have steadily grown over the years, the entrepreneurial landscape remains hostile towards Black people. As per an Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity report, the Black demographic is still “drastically underrepresented” in the business sector. In addition to standard risks and challenges in entrepreneurship, Black business owners also face biases, stereotypes, and financial risks related to racial inequality.
Systemic barriers, slow growth, lack of financing, and debt pose serious difficulties to Black entrepreneurs.
Among all minorities, Black-owned businesses find the most obstacles when looking for financing. They are also more likely than other businesses to be excluded from “traditional financing opportunities.”
The political environment in 2025 has bred new concerns for people of color and their businesses. Rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives threaten to undermine efforts to achieve an even playing field for minority-owned companies.
While the global scenario might seem disparaging, the good news is that we choose where to spend our money. Supporting minority-owned businesses, shopping locally, and spreading the word about initiatives are great ways to uplift minority voices. During Black History Month, in particular, consider directing your money to businesses that champion representation and promote diversity.
Below, FIERCE rounds up a list of Black and Afro-Latino brands worth supporting this month and all year round.
Black Girl Sunscreen
Shontay Lundy founded Black Girl Sunscreen after finding a gap in the sunscreen market. The brand now offers a variety of sun protection products designed for people of color, especially Black people. Besides offering white cast-free alternatives for darker skin tones, Black Girl Sunscreen aims to dismantle misconceptions about sun protection. By educating customers on the health risks of sun exposure, the brand is tackling the misbelief that darker skin is resistant to sunburns and less likely to be damaged by UV rays.
Miles and Milan
Businesswoman Shennel Fuller found herself overwhelmed by maximalist wardrobe options for children. As she looked for alternatives that matched her aesthetic, she developed Miles and Milan. With minimalism and effortless dressing at the core, the brand offers wardrobe staples and timeless pieces. The idea is to “remove the fuss in dressing” so parents can instead focus on enjoying time with their children.
Soley á deux
BIPOC-owned skincare brand Solèy à Deux was co-founded by Britney Johnson. Her experiences as a Black woman inspired her to create customized skincare products for her friends. Later, joined by her friend Rachel, Britney established a clean, botanical-powered skincare brand that caters to diverse skin types, tones, and needs.
Jam + Rico
Afro-Latina founder Lisette Scott launched the jewelry brand Jam + Rico in 2016. Celebrating the founder’s heritage, the brand finds inspiration in Jamaican and Puerto Rican culture — hence the name. Caribbean-infused designs, bold colors, and cultural storytelling set Jam + Rico’s products apart.
Luna Magic
Founded by sisters Mabel and Shaira Frias, makeup brand Luna Magic delivers cosmetics inspired by Latin American culture. The L.A.-based brand is recognized for beauty products such as faux lashes and the iconic Va-Va Pink mascara primer. Beyond their entrepreneurial journey, the Frias sisters are often described as “Ambassadors for Afro-Latinidad.”
Book and Reverie
Literature and fandom are the driving forces behind Book and Reverie, a book-themed candle brand. The Black woman-owned business draws inspiration from book quotes, fantasy, and mythology. Founder Lia delivers unique scented candles through an Etsy shop that speaks to bibliophiles and book enthusiasts.
Cafe con Libros
A Brooklyn institution, Café con Libros is an intersectional feminist bookstore and coffee shop. Kalima DeSuze, an Afro-Latinx businesswoman, social worker, veteran, activist, and teacher, is the mastermind behind this space. Located in Crown Heights, Café con Libros offers the community, particularly women, a space to explore their love for literature and support women writers.
Minimo
Rainy Leonor-Lake took her therapist’s advice, “Haz lo mínimo,” to heart and used it as inspiration to start her jewelry brand. Rooted in the idea of celebrating small steps and championing slow fashion, Minimo offers handcrafted jewelry made from recycled material. The brand also works with ethical manufacturers to produce sustainable jewelry in small batches.
La Boticá
Dawn Marie West’s Dominican roots sparked her interest in merging traditional knowledge with luxury. Her brand, La Boticá, sells high-end fragrances, candles, and body care products. La Boticá favors ethical materials to craft its luxurious formulas and sources indigenous ingredients from South America.
HarperIman Dolls
Frustrated with the lack of representation in the doll industry, Cynthia and Kathryn Burnett, a mother and daughter duo, launched HarperIman Dolls. Their mission was to create dolls that Black and Brown children could relate to. In addition to dolls that champion skin and hair texture diversity, the company now offers greeting cards.
Eadem
Mixing Asian and Black women’s perspectives, Eadem is a celebrated brand in the skincare industry. French-Ivorian co-founder Marie Kouadio joined forces with Alice Lin Glover (Taiwanese American) to bring products that would be effective regardless of skin color — a factor many skincare brands fail to take into account when creating formulas. As per the brand’s website, their products have been developed and tested “through the lens of melanin-rich skin” to create gentle but powerful skincare that works for everyone.
Pur Home Clean
Angela and Michelle Richardson offer eco-friendly, sustainable, and non-toxic cleaning products through Pur Home Clean. The brand is known for formulating cruelty-free, clean products such as soap, laundry detergent, and whitener. The best part? All of Pur Home Clean’s formulas are cruelty-free, sustainable, and HE-safe.
The Honey Pot
The use of toxic chemicals in feminine care products is rarely addressed. Bea Dixon’s brand, The Honey Pot, is setting a path for change. Powered with natural-derived and safe ingredients, the company produces clinically tested and gynecologist-approved products for vaginal wellness. The list includes cleansers, wipes, sprays, and washes.
Pisqueya
Dominican cuisine and culinary culture inspired Maritza Abreu to found Pisqueya. The sauces and seasonings company captures authentic Dominican flavors with family recipes and organic ingredients. Pisqueya’s star products are the hot sources, infused with ingredients favored in Dominican kitchens.
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Black beauty pioneer Danessa Myricks transitioned from working in photography for free to founding a beauty empire. Thanks to her drive, passion, and self-teaching skills, Myricks built an impressive career. She served as director of product innovation at Benefit Cosmetics before taking the leap and launching her own brand. Over the years, Danessa Myricks Beauty has become a go-to for makeup artists and celebrities such as Doechii, Colman Domingo, and Lala Anthony.
