As an Afro-Latina, I try to do my best to educate my kids on our culture. I use all of my platforms to show the beauty of my heritage. But I think it’s also important to use my platforms to support other afro-Latinx and their businesses. A lot of times people aren’t really checking for us until Black History Month or Hispanic Heritage Month. But this is a reminder that you can support Afro-Latinx businesses year-round. So I’ve started this list for myself and for you too!
Afro-Latinx Businesses
The Vela Negra
From the website: “The unique fragrances of VELA NEGRA are inspired by various elements of my Afro-Cuban and Guyanese heritage. Each candle is individually hand-poured using 100% vegan coconut soy wax and ethically sourced wooden wicks, fragrance, and dye to provide you with a luxurious and environmentally conscious, clean burn with the highest quality ingredients.”
IG: @thevelanegra
Coco and Breezy Eyewear
From the website: “Coco and Breezy Eyewear was founded in 2009 by twin designers Corianna and Brianna Dotson. Their early designs were an instant hit in the entertainment and fashion world and can be found in most major publications.”
IG: @Cocoandbreezyeyewear
Reina Skincare
From the website: “After suffering from acne for years, Our Founder, an Afro-Latina, wanted to offer products that were natural, effective and represented a part of her that is deeply rooted within her.” IG: @reina.skincare
Jam and Rico
From the website: “The colors, carnivals, art, beaches, and language all inspired me to create and design. That’s when I knew I needed to design to bring me closer to a cultural connection of my ancestors. I created Jam + Rico (Jamaica and Puerto Rico) to dive deeper into my love of designing and the Caribbean.” IG: @jamandrico
Gems By Mocha
From the website: “Desireé was born and raised in Panama. Living far away from home she realized she wanted to make sure she always had something to represent her. Shortly after she started working on her jewelry line, and “Gems By Mocha” was created. A jewelry line for the strong, ambitious, and sophisticated individual. A person that is proud of their culture and feels empowered when they represent it.” IG: @gemsbymocha
Heroes of Color
From the website: “Heroes of Color is an educational company that works to promote inclusiveness and empower people of color by providing cultural and professional development through the arts.” IG: @_heroesofcolor
Luna Magic Beauty
From the website: “a new indie beauty & lifestyle brand founded by Afro-Latina & Dominican-American sisters Mabel and Shaira Frías. By combining their passions for beauty and lifestyle, they created a vibrant brand that celebrates their mutual love for their multicultural heritage, Latin culture and music—in living color. Our brand was founded in Los Angeles with a mission to introduce high-performance cosmetics, bold flavor, diversity, inclusivity and vibrancy to the beauty industry.” IG: @lunamagicbeauty
Cultured Kinfolk
From the website: “Cultured Kinfolk is a cultural heritage lifestyle brand dedicated to amplifying conscious Black, Latinx, and POC culture, history, spirituality, and narratives, that have been historically ignored, through reflective products, content, events, and creative services.” IG: @cultured_kinfolk
Yo Soy AfroLatina
From the website: “A lifestyle brand that celebrates the beauty, experiences, and culture of the AfroLatinx community. At Yo Soy Afro Latina, we are on a mission to empower Black women within the Latin community” IG: @yosoyafrolatina
Miss Balanta
From the website: “MISS BALANTA TURBANS was born spontaneously; Angélica Balanta, a graphic designer, grew up seeing her mother wearing turbans, something that became her main inspiration. The need to rescue important elements of Afro culture in Colombia through fashion has been the motivation to structure pieces of cloth and turn them into pieces of art. Empowering women and highlighting the values of Afro culture is Miss Balanta’s DNA.”
IG: @missbalanta
Bubbly Moon Naturals
From the website: “Bubbly Moon Naturals was founded in response for my need to follow my passion of working with plants and botanicals while solving the problem of having products which didn’t irritate my family’s skin. While handcrafting natural soap I learned that my grandmother was also an herbalist and soap maker who learned her skills from our family in Puerto Rico.”
IG: @bubblymoonnaturals
Covedoza
From the website: “COVEDOZA was founded to financially empower women artists that identify as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color (BIPOC) from around the world by creating sustainable, short or long-term, collaborations in order to bolster their artistic influence and name.”
IG: @covedoza
Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry
From the website: “Valerie merges contemporary technology with skillful artistry to create elegant designs inspired by classic styles. With her keen eye for detail and passion for individuality, her designs celebrate not only the beauty of life and love but also the natural world and the stunning gemstones that come from it.” IG: @valeriemadisonjewelry
Latin Mocha Fashion
From the website: “LatinMocha International LLC is a fashion and lifestyle brand whose founder, partners, and team members hail from different Latin and Caribbean countries and embody this beautiful diversity, from the lightest to the darkest of shades. Our goal is therefore to highlight and celebrate ALL Latinos. If we more prominently show models of African and Caribbean descent is because they are more often neglected in the Latino representation.” IG: @latinmocha.fashion
Agua Bonita
Kayla and Erin wanted a traditional agua fresca, without all the added sugar – but it didn’t exist. So they made it themselves! Inspired by perfectly delicious, fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, and fueled by a passion to create something culturally authentic, unique, better for the planet, and beautiful, they created Agua Bonita. Their core company value is authenticity: we want to be 100% real, all the time – in our ingredients, in what we do, and who we are. IG: @drinkaguabonita
Visibility
Growing up I didn’t see any brands that reflected me or people who looked like me. We would have to wait until we went back to Panama to visit so we could stock up on everything. People often say they don’t know where we are or who we are. But we’ve been here. As I said before, most of the time we are an afterthought until a special holiday comes up. I’m not only taking up space, but I’m hoping to hold space for others as well. I will be adding to this list so check it periodically! Make sure to Pin it. And if you know of any Afro-Latinx businesses please feel free to comment below or send me a message on Instagram.
[…] In a blog post this year, Gulley wrote, “As an Afro-Latina, I try to do my best to educate my kids on our culture. I use all of my platforms to show the beauty of my heritage.” […]