

As promised, the year has been sprinkled with a lot of Black girl magic.
We saw 16 black models light up the runway at the Victoria's Secret show in Shanghai, we watchedGirl's Tripmake a historic debut at the box office, and we watched Black women show their impact at the polls.
But, our most important asset is not just our ability to vote, but our ability to spend. Consumerism drives advertising, which drives corporations which in turn drives our government. It's a pretty obvious chain of events and we are the most important link. In cosmetics, we saw what happened after Fenty Beauty launched their historic 40-shade concealers and foundations. It was named by TIME Magazine as one of the best inventions of the year.
Just recently, Neilson published a report titled, "Black Girl Magic and Brand Loyalty is Propelling Total Black Buying Power Towards $1.5 Trillion." According to the report, Black women are trendsetters, and brand loyalists who are self-made and self-reliant, and the number of businesses majority-owned by Black women grew 67% between 2007 and 2012, more than all women combined.
Now that the industry is hip to the demand by darker complexions, everyone is clamoring to rethink their business model.
Cause, meet effect.
This year, I'm reclaiming my Black power and steering my coins back into the community by buying Black. So, I have been deep diving into the hashtag universe of social media and scouring the Internet in search for Black women-owned businesses that I can support by spending my coins.
Scroll below to learn which Black women-owned businesses deserve your coin.
1. LIT Brooklyn.
LIT Brooklyn
Founded by Denequa Williams in Brooklyn, New York. LIT Brooklyn offers a line of hand-poured soy wax candles in rich, homey scents that are sure to warm up the vibes indoors.
2.Le’Chanteur.
Le'Chanteur
Another Brooklyn-born creation with two Black women at its helm, Le'Chanteur features a line of unique accessories. The founders, Soull and Dynasty Ogun (twins), have created a collection of items that vary from eye wear to metal and stone jewelry.
3.hanahana beauty.
Hanahana Beauty
Hanahana beauty was founded by Abena Boamah who was taught by her mother at a young age to experiment with Shea butter. She is an educator and a strong advocate for wellness education. Her product line includes Shea butter sourced directly from the Katariga Women's Group in Ghana.
4.Iwilla Remedy.
Iwilla Remedy
Iwilla Remedy is a Brooklyn-birthed, now Atlanta-based, wellness brand. They offer sacred herbal medicine, natural body care, and spiritual self-care consultations, practices and classes, all aiming to help you along your journey of reclaiming wholeness. The 100% woman-owned and 100% Black-owned company has been in business since 2012. "Plant your best foot forward" and check them out at iwillaremedy.com and on FB and IG @iwillaremedy.
5.Folie Apothecary.
Folie Apothecary
Co-founder of Urban Bush Babes, doula, and mother of one, Nikisha Brunson is also known around these parts as a wellness extraordinaire. Her line of skincare products, Folie Apothecary, is available on Etsy and features natural glycerin soaps, facial serums, and hair oils in small batches.
6.Woman's Touch Apparel.
Woman's Touch Apparel
If you are looking for a feminist driven clothing brand with strong powerful statements to describe the woman you are, Woman's Touch Apparel is it. Founded by Jenesis Laforcarde, the brand designs include messages that are sure to remind young women of their individual importance and power.
7.Gypsy Bruja.
Gypsy Bruja
Another small-batch woman alchemist is Trae Harris, otherwise known as Gypsy Bruja. The indie film actress and performer hand-makes healing organic serums with all-natural ingredients, including pure gold. This serum soothes the skin and the soul. You can find her posting on her Instagram account when her supply is up, so be sure to pre-order as soon as possible – they go quickly.
8.Adele Supreme.
Adele Supreme
Carole Adele Williams, or "Adele Supreme" as she's known in the cyberworld, is the genius behind The Series of Relatable Circumstances and other original art that is sure to satisfy your favorite collector. Shop her collection of t-shirts and prints that include her incredible intricate labyrinth pieces.
9.Lace By Tanaya.
Lace by Tanaya
What about the sexy vixen on your list? Lace by Tanaya is a luxurious line of body jewelry made by Tanaya Henry. From lip lace to ear lace to body chains, her line of dazzling pieces will brighten up the jewelry fanatic's New Year's Eve.
10. The Wrap Life.
The Wrap Life
Because 'tis the season to wrap that hair up, check out The Wrap Life founded by Nnenna Stella in Brooklyn, New York that has been changing the game in protective styles and creative up-dos. In delicious colors and patterns, not only is this collection sure to brighten anyone's wardrobe, their website also features wrap tutorials to expand your skill set.
Featured image by Getty Images.
Originally published December 2017.
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Ashley Simpo is a writer, mother and advocate for self-care and healthy relationships. She lives in Brooklyn, NY. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ashleysimpo. Check out her work and her musings on ashleysimpocreative.com.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage