Black History Month

What is Black History Month ??

Black History Month, celebrated annually in February, is an observance that highlights the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritage of African Americans. The month of February was picked to also commemorate the birthdays of President and civil rights supporter Abraham Lincoln and American slavery abolitionist Frederick Douglass. This underscores the significance of acknowledging and commemorating the profound impact that Black individuals have had on the cultural, social, political and economic landscape of the United States.

Today, brands and influential voices continue to join forces in sharing educational content and initiatives that aim to celebrate and promote the contributions of the Black community by highlighting diversity, resilience, and cultural richness.

This year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has chosen the theme "African Americans and the Arts". This theme pays specific homage to Black poets, writers, visual artists and dancers, recognizing their significant contributions in using their creative pursuits to resist oppression.??

Brands initiatives

Brands have launched campaigns and capsule collections, often teaming up with social justice organizations and various Black contributors.?

Timberland created the limited-release line and campaign that tells the tale of Black Adventurers, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Cowboys Foundation. In this exclusive collection, Timberland blends its unique brand design elements with hints of traditional American and contemporary African-American influences. Jakian Parks, founder of the foundation shared for Hypebae that : “The new Timberland Black Pioneer Collection celebrates our community and is inspired by the outdoors, making this authentic”.?

Target launched its? "Black Men Smile" clothing and supplies collection. This new collection didn't go unnoticed, as many Black TikTok creators shared their praise. Content creator Amber, known as yeahitsamberrtoo, posted a video featuring Target's collection on her account, saying : “They have everything from T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, bags (...) Shout out to all the designers, because they did so well”.????

Some brands combined special collections with philanthropic endeavors, particularly in youth and educational programs. Bath and Bodyworks launched a candle collection with fragrances designed by women of color while pledging support for the American Chemical Society Scholars Program in providing renewable scholarships to underrepresented undergraduate students in chemical sciences. Starbucks introduced a vibrant celebration of Black culture and community in its latest drinkware collection, curated by the black artist Damon Brown, who shared that : “My goal for this collection was for it not to feel that it’s one month only – but taking it farther and giving you something more artistic that can be enjoyed and celebrated beyond February – when it should be every day for us”. Additionally, The Starbucks Foundation aids youth-focused diversity programs, granting nearly $1.7 million to over 1,000 nonprofits in North American communities last year.

Black owned brands spotlight

Black History Month is also a reminder to support Black owned brands. Here are some innovative and creative beauty brands known for their engagement to the Black community, making beauty products more inclusive.?

LYS Beauty is the first Black-owned Sephora clean makeup brand. The brand was founded by Tisha Thompson with the mission to transform the clean beauty landscape. LYS Beauty proudly introduces a collection of vegan, cruelty-free, and budget-friendly products, distinguished by formulations that are free from gluten, talc, fragrance, mineral oil, and SLS. Designed to embrace and beautify all skin tones, LYS Beauty stands out as a trailblazer in the world of clean beauty.

Because being inclusive for black skin is not just about creating darker foundation shades, Melissa Butler established The Lip Bar. The brand emerged from her dissatisfaction with the limited lipstick shade options available for women of color. In order to fill this gap, Butler crafted her own inclusive vegan lipstick. Today, she has expanded The Lip Bar beyond lipsticks, offering a diverse array of face, eye, and other lip products.

Black-owned beauty brand Ami Colé positions itself as “Clean Beauty made to reveal your inner excellence”. Ami Colé is very conversational on TikTok, and is celebrated for its recent launch of their popular new foundation Skin Enhancing Stick which has become the new go-to foundation for darker skin tones.?

Tiktok 2024 Visionary Voices

In celebration of Black History Month, TikTok has unveiled its 2024 Visionary Voices list, spotlighting 16 Black creators who have made a significant impact on the platform. The festivities include a dedicated #BlackTikTok hub within the app, showcasing stories, livestreams, and music from Black creators, businesses, and nonprofits. Notably, TikTok is collaborating with Black Girl Ventures to launch the Black Girl Ventures Innovate Together TikTok Grant Program, offering a $50,000 grant pool for U.S.-based beauty and lifestyle entrepreneurs and content creators. Users can also participate in #ShopBlack, a new feature allowing them to explore and support Black-owned businesses and creators within the app. This initiative demonstrates TikTok's commitment to amplifying Black voices and fostering a more inclusive community.

Sources: Hypebae, Holywood Reporter, Oprah Daily, RD, Target, Timberland, LYS Beauty, The Lip Bar, Starbucks, Black Girl Sunscreen, Bath and Bodyworks, TikTok.