How to be both Black and Green (With Blk+Grn)

Dr. Kristian and I at Marsh+Mane

I have already talked to about Blk+Grn and how revolutionary a platform.

We talked not too long ago about their struggle with a larger, not Black Owned but Black focused beauty brand who have been fighting them against their trademark. But we never really dove into how amazing Blk+Grn really truly is for women of color.

It is well known in the beauty community that a large portion of beauty products marketed to Black Women are full of dangerous ingredients. Dr. Kristian saw this and decided to do something about it. What started as an expansive spreadsheet of Black Owned beauty products that were also Green, i.e. full of healthy and eco-friendly ingredients, is blossoming into a full platform of over 500 different products with brands list growing daily.

To say Blk+Grn is essential is an understatement. What was an overwhelming chore of finding Black Owned AND healthy and sustainable products has become instantly easy by simply logging on to the website. Blk+Grn has expanded to a blog full of tips and ideas and a podcast featuring the artisans you will find on the site.

Recently, I had the chance to meet Dr. Kristian at her Blk+Grn Self Care Philly stop at Marsh+Mane, a Black Owned beauty destination here in Philadelphia. Needless to say, this event was lit. Black women teaching Black women how to take care of ourselves, featuring meditation, skin care and facials, a nail bar, and an opportunity to buy products listed on the site there and then while fellowshipping with Black Women was such a beautiful way to start a Sunday.

As for Dr. Kristian, a quick conversation with her had me instantly inspired. She is very serious about wellness and health for Black Women. Her heart for Black Women can be felt not just in her passion for her brand but in her the room as she smiled and engaged with each person coming to the event at Marsh+Mane. She not only is the lead of Blk+Grn, but a new mommy, a wife, a professor, and creative voice our beauty industry needs.

Blk+Grn is solving several big problems facing the beauty industry: removing toxicity from beauty products while creating sustainable, earth-friendly alternatives. This is NOT a sponsored post. This is a post from a person who has felt impacted by the contribution of Dr. Kristian and Blk+Grn. We need this brand. I need this brand. The act fo buying Black Owned is still such a revolutionary act, and it is still widely believed that Black folks do not care about the environment or healthy products. This brand with Dr. Kristian at its helm is flipping those stereotypes on their heads and proving that more Black people care about the health and wellness of not only themselves but also this planet. And that in and of itself is a more than worthy endeavor that I too want to be a part of.

I am asking you, my community, to check out Blk+Grn and if there is anything cool or interesting, that you would make a purchase. My personal favorites from the site are the Black Girl Sunscreen (which sells out regularly), the HoneyPot Products for vaginal and menstruation health, and the Hunny Bunny Natural Deodorant. If you cannot make a purchase, I ask that you share the link with your community. Let's work together to continue to expand the reach of brands that truly care about our health and our planet.