Hayley-Ann Mark

53 posts published

Holiday Candle Guide: Black-Owned Scents to Gift and Keep

Although we don’t need an excuse to light our candles and elevate the ambience in our homes, the holiday season presents the perfect opportunity to explore new scents to gift and keep. As the days grow shorter, there is something calming about striking a match and filling a room

Hayley-Ann Mark

23 Dec 25 3 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Beyond The Wedding Day: How Two Black Women Are Creating A Space Where Couples Can Nurture A Soulful Love

The average amount spent on weddings in the United States is $30,000. While this is undoubtedly one of the most special days for a couple, the planning for what comes next is what really sets the foundation for the rest of the relationship. Anastacia Sams, a Licensed Marriage and

Hayley-Ann Mark

22 Dec 25 5 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Holiday Gift Guide: Black-Owned Brands Creating The Perfect Gifts For Kids

There is something special about seeing kids tear into gifts during the holiday season. Their wide eyes and eager hands as they anticipate getting a new doll, coloring book, or that one item they talked about all year long, remind us of the pure joy and magic of childhood. These

Hayley-Ann Mark

19 Dec 25 3 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Black-Owned Skin Care Products To Add To Your Shopping Cart

It’s always the perfect time to replenish your essentials and keep your skin glowing, feeling hydrated, and healthy all around. Whether you’re looking to refresh your complexion, tackle dryness or discoloration, elevate your sunscreen game, or just maintain a healthy glow, there are a number of high-quality products

Hayley-Ann Mark

18 Dec 25 5 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Here Are 7 Black-Owned Games For The Family To Enjoy This Holiday Season

The holiday season is officially here and it’s time for the whole family to get together. Between the smell of home-cooked meals in the air and laughter bouncing off the walls, what better way to add to the fun than by breaking out the games that will bring everyone

Hayley-Ann Mark

18 Dec 25 3 min read

Black Owned Businesses

How This Black-Owned Handbag Brand Is Making It Easy to Find the Perfect Bag for Someone Special

The holiday season has a way of bringing us closer to the people who matter the most, and while finding the perfect present can sometimes be a challenge, we’re here to make it a little easier. If you’re looking for a gift that is thoughtful and impactful while

Hayley-Ann Mark

08 Dec 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Holiday Gift Guide: Black-Owned Finds for your Table & Home

We all know that the holiday season has a special way of transforming our homes into gathering places for friends and family, filled with endless laughter, comfort and love. From statement vases and hand-crafted accents to elevated tableware, there are a number of Black-owned businesses that are infusing culture and

Hayley-Ann Mark

05 Dec 25 3 min read

News

Holiday Gifts That Empower: Meet The 13-Year-Old CEO Behind Beautiful Curly Me

We all know that representation matters. It is more than just a phrase, shaping how we see ourselves and the world. Representation lets us know that anything is possible and reminds us that there is more than one reality and more than one standard. Zoe Oli learned this when she

Hayley-Ann Mark

04 Dec 25 2 min read

Black History

Ralph Lauren’s First Black Creative Director, James M. Jeter, Celebrates Oak Bluffs In New Campaign

In a blend of fashion and storytelling, James M. Jeter, Ralph Lauren’s first Black Creative Director, is shining the spotlight on Black history, culture and legacy. With the launch of the new, limited-edition collection called Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs, the brand is celebrating the rich story of

Hayley-Ann Mark

14 Aug 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Move in Style: Black-Owned Athleisure Brands Empowering Your Fitness Journey

It’s never too late to start - or restart - your fitness journey. Whether you’re getting back into the groove, embracing the joy of daily walks, jumping into a new training routine or just refreshing your wardrobe for the summer, this moment is yours. Wellness is having a

Hayley-Ann Mark

11 Aug 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

The Business Of Black Hair: A Conversation With Ursula Stephen, Salon CEO & Fenty Hair Powerhouse

"20 years later, I have finally earned my title of celebrity hairstylist." - Ursula Stephen For Ursula Stephen, this statement is a reclamation. From doing hair in her mother’s Brooklyn laundry room to becoming a global hair ambassador for Fenty Hair and opening her own salon, her

Hayley-Ann Mark

07 Aug 25 5 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Black-Owned Spas And Wellness Centers For Your Next Self-Care Day

In the midst of deadlines and the constant demands of the world, it’s easy to forget that your peace is non-negotiable. Self-care is the pause that protects your mental, physical and emotional health. It’s about making room to breathe, come back to yourself and just be. And when

Hayley-Ann Mark

04 Aug 25 3 min read

Entrepreneur Spotlight

Kwame Onwuachi’s Rise From A Young Black Chef To A Cultural Architect

“Then there is food, which is a perfect way to access the cultural anatomy of a people. It’s a great resource for learning about a community’s rituals and rhythms.” - Dipo Faloyin, Africa is not a Country A storyteller with a knife and a cultural architect in an

Hayley-Ann Mark

01 Aug 25 4 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Save Our Spaces: Black-Owned Restaurants And Bars To Support In NYC

Recently, Bed-Vyne Brew, a beloved fixture in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, closed its doors after more than a decade of serving the community. Known for its hand-crafted draught beers, lively music and welcoming vibe, Bed-Vyne was more than just a bar. A place where people felt at home, seen and connected, and

Hayley-Ann Mark

31 Jul 25 3 min read

Black Owned Businesses

The First Black-Owned Nationally Distributed Coffee Brand Hits Costco Shelves

In 2018, two childhood best friends, Pernell Cezar, a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, and Rod Johnson, a tea aficionado, came together to create what has now been recognized as one of the largest independently owned, social-impact driven coffee brands in the U.S. From inception, BLK & Bold, the first nationally

Hayley-Ann Mark

28 Jul 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Meet The Owner Of The First Black-Owned Distillery In The U.S.: Du Nord Social Spirits

Although Chris Montana didn't initially set out to open a distillery, he knew that he wanted to be in the beverage industry. A longtime homebrewer, he acknowledged that launching yet another brewery in an already saturated market made little sense. On the recommendation of a friend, he began

Hayley-Ann Mark

21 Jul 25 3 min read

Black Excellence

Beyond Martha’s Vineyard: Historically Black Beach Getaways To Include In Your Summer Plans

In her reimagining of Judy Blume’s Forever for Netflix, Mara Brock Akil transports viewers to Martha’s Vineyard, specifically Oak Bluffs. This northern town has long been a cherished summer haven for the Black community, serving as a living symbol of Black excellence and legacy, and remains a popular

Hayley-Ann Mark

18 Jun 25 3 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Meet The Powerhouse Women Transforming The Global Wine Industry With Afro Wine Week, South Africa

Scheduled to take place from September 5 - 13, 2025, the first ever Afro Wine Week, South Africa, is set to be a game-changing moment for the global wine industry. Positioned as a gateway to investment, empowerment, and community-building, this 7 day experience is being marketed as a premier opportunity

Hayley-Ann Mark

29 May 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

NYC’s First Black-Owned Vegan Donut Store Is Flipping Gentrification On Its Head

After 11 years in prison, including two in solitary confinement, Derrick Faulcon emerged with a vision. In 2020, as the world reeled with the pandemic and the nation faced a reckoning after George Floyd’s murder, he opened Cloudy Donut Co., a vegan donut shop, in Baltimore, MD. While many

Hayley-Ann Mark

28 May 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Black Girl Vitamins: A Wellness Brand With Black Women At The Center

Founded in 2021, Black Girl Vitamins was born with a clear mission: to empower Black women to understand their specific health needs and provide the best, tailored solutions to meet them. With data showing that 82% of Black women are Vitamin D deficient and three times more likely to have

Hayley-Ann Mark

26 May 25 2 min read

News

How Dads To Doulas Program Is Empowering Black Fathers At Birth And Beyond

In 2017, Brad Edwards and his partner faced an unimaginable loss when their twin boys were delivered stillborn. Like many men, Edwards internalized his grief, burying it below a fragile veneer that eventually shattered. In the midst of navigating his own healing, and trying to support his partner, he felt

Hayley-Ann Mark

24 May 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

This Black Woman-Owned Chocolate Shop in Baltimore Tells Stories You Can Taste

Opened in 2012, Jinji Chocolate is a popular artisan chocolate store located in the Baltimore’s historic Waverly neighborhood. Founded by Jinji Fraser and her father, Guy, Jinji Chocolate offers a decadent selection of dairy- and gluten- free chocolates, including chocolate bars, truffles and fudge, as well as unique treats

Hayley-Ann Mark

23 May 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

This Charlotte-Based Black Family-Owned Catering Company Is Serving Up Soul

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you combine passion, innovation, and a whole lot of flavor, meet Sweet Potato Jones - a Black-owned event and catering company located in the heart of “Queen City,” Charlotte, North Carolina. Run by the dynamic duo Carla and Patrick Jones, this company

Hayley-Ann Mark

19 May 25 2 min read

Black Excellence

The Apollo Theater To Honor Teyana Taylor With Inaugural Innovator Award

Since first opening its doors in 1914, the Apollo has been a beacon of Black excellence in the arts, having been the stage for groundbreaking performances by legends such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown. It also played a key role in the emergence of jazz, swing, bebop,

Hayley-Ann Mark

16 May 25 1 min read

News

From Twitch to Teaching: Kai Cenat Launches Streamer University For Creators

Kai Cenat is arguably one of the most popular streamers in the world today. With over 20 million followers across all of his social media platforms, Forbes named him one of the top-earning creators in 2024, with estimated earnings of $8.6 million. In November 2024, Cenat broke the record

Hayley-Ann Mark

15 May 25 2 min read

Black Excellence

Malia Obama Turns The Camera On A’ja Wilson And Every Black Girl Watching In New Nike Ad

When Black storytellers are behind the lens, the view looks different - the perspective expands and the story deepens. Professionally known as Malia Ann, Malia Obama, eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama, is receiving widespread praise for her direction of a new Nike ad promoting WNBA star A’ja

Hayley-Ann Mark

13 May 25 2 min read

News

Houston Airport Terminal Renamed In Honor Of The Late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Having served in Houston’s 18th Congressional District for over three decades, the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was a political powerhouse. Jackson Lee, who announced her pancreatic cancer diagnosis in June 2024, passed away in July 2024 at the age of 74. Her influence and legacy, however,

Hayley-Ann Mark

12 May 25 2 min read

Black Excellence

The Library Dads Initiative In Atlanta Is Helping Fathers And Kids Bond Over Reading

When dads lead with love and show up with intention, the story changes for everyone, and that is exactly what Khari Arnold is doing with The Library Dads initiative. At a young age, Arnold developed a passion for reading thanks to his mother and grandmother. So when his daughter was

Hayley-Ann Mark

09 May 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

New Brew On The Block: Meet The Three D.C. Creatives Reshaping How You Enjoy Coffee

“tāst is a lot of things, but is not coffee. It’s an invitation to slow down, to savor. It’s a reengagment with the ritual of everyday life. It’s a start.” For coffee lovers, coffee is more than just a quick drink. It marks the beginning and ending

Hayley-Ann Mark

08 May 25 2 min read

News

Meet The 23 Black Billionaires Whose Combined Worth Is $96 Billion

Since 1987, Forbes has been rounding up a list of billionaires from around the world, listing 140 in that first year. Among them, only one was Black: Robert L. Johnson – the co-founder and former CEO of BET. While both the number of billionaires and their collective wealth have grown astronomically

Hayley-Ann Mark

06 May 25 5 min read

News

Virginia’s Historic Black Church Donates Over $100K To Clear Student Debt For 11 Graduating Seniors

On April 26, Saint Augustine’s University (SAU), sometimes referred to as the “Miracle on Oakwood”, announced a generous gift of $132,469 from the Alfred Street Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, to clear the outstanding cumulative debt of graduating seniors. The donation allowed 11 of 25 students in the

Hayley-Ann Mark

05 May 25 1 min read

Black Excellence

From Student Debt to Box Office History: Ryan Coogler Becomes First Black Director With Four $100M+ Films

In 2015, director Ryan Coogler was drowning in $200,000 in student loans, despite being on the brink of a cinematic breakthrough. He had already made a significant impact with his feature-length debut Fruitvale Station (2013), starring Michael B. Jordan, which chronicled the final hours of Oscar Grant’s life.

Hayley-Ann Mark

02 May 25 2 min read

Entrepreneur Spotlight

A New Vintage: How Kenneth Pettus, Founder of Unwine 101, Is Reshaping Wine Culture

Wine culture has long been cloaked in exclusivity. Less than 1% of wineries in the United States are Black-owned and fewer than 2% of wine and spirits professionals identify as Black. These numbers speak volumes but still do not tell the whole story. The industry has historically catered to, and

Hayley-Ann Mark

30 Apr 25 6 min read

News

Basketball All-Star Chiney Ogwumike To Produce First Ever Scripted Series About The WNBA

Two-time WNBA All-Star, former Rookie of the Year and ESPN host Chiney Ogwumike is set to produce a new comedy series based on the WNBA entitled The W. The 30-minute series will be the first scripted show centered on the WNBA and will follow a rookie player and her inexperienced

Hayley-Ann Mark

28 Apr 25 2 min read

News

Michelle Obama And Steph Curry Team Up To Create New Sports Hydration Drink

In 2023, former First Lady Michelle Obama co-founded PLEZi Nutrition to raise the bar for what children consume, particularly when it comes to food and beverage choices. Building on her mission of her Let’s Move! campaign, which she launched during her time in the White House to combat childhood

Hayley-Ann Mark

25 Apr 25 1 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Meet The Couple Whose Plant-Based Ice Cream Brand Will Take You On A Journey Around The World

The conversation around what we eat, where it comes from, and how it impacts our health is one that remains relevant - and for good reason! These were the exact concerns that Nicole Foster had when she first had children. After obtaining a certification as a raw vegan chef, she

Hayley-Ann Mark

23 Apr 25 2 min read

News

This Father-Son Duo Launched An AI-Powered Tool Geared Towards Making Financial Coaching Accessible To Everyone

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has infiltrated so much of our lives. From virtual assistants to smart recommendations, it’s woven into the fabric of our daily lives and has been seamlessly integrated into so many of our frequently used apps. Let’s be honest -most of us probably use ChatGPT more

Hayley-Ann Mark

21 Apr 25 1 min read

Black Owned Businesses

These Three Friends Teamed Up to Launch 100% Natural Bamboo Toilet Paper

The call for sustainability could not be any louder. From rising sea levels to devastating wildfires and stronger storms and hurricanes, the planet is sending pretty clear signals that we need to change our ways – and fast. While actions such as swapping out plastic straws for reusable ones may seem

Hayley-Ann Mark

17 Apr 25 2 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Black-Owned Hotels & Resorts Around The World - Part 2

When it comes to travel, your accommodation can make or break the entire experience. That’s why picking the right hotel or resort is key. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or your significant other, staying stateside or jetting off across the waters, here are 16 Black-owned resorts and

Hayley-Ann Mark

16 Apr 25 6 min read

News

Tyler Perry Launches Dream Collective Program For Next Generation Of Filmmakers

Tyler Perry is no stranger to putting into practice the saying “lift as you climb.” With 20 years in the entertainment industry, he has built a legacy, which he is paying forward through his new initiative - the Dream Collective Short Film Program. Through this program, he will be taking

Hayley-Ann Mark

12 Apr 25 2 min read

Black Excellence

This Howard Alum Launched The First Ever Strip Mall For Black-Owned Businesses in DC

In 2015, Angel Gregorio, a Howard University alum, founded The Spice Suite, which quickly evolved into more than just a boutique for selling her own specialty spices. Named D.C.’s Small Business of the Year (2018) by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, The Spice Suite became a space for Black

Hayley-Ann Mark

10 Apr 25 1 min read

News

Grammy Award-Winning Artist Doechii Launches Mental Health Resource Hub

Doechii’s meteoric rise comes as no surprise. Born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, Doechii first rose to fame on TikTok following her viral song Yucky Bucky Fruitcake. This year, her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal won Best Rap Album at the Grammys, making her one of only three women to

Hayley-Ann Mark

09 Apr 25 2 min read

News

Kandi Burruss Makes Broadway History As The Highest-Grossing Black Female Producer

Kandi Burruss has donned many hats – from R&B royalty and reality tv icon to serial entrepreneur and now Broadway record-breaker - continuing to prove time and again that anything is possible. In August 2024, it was announced that Kandi, former Real Housewives of Atlanta star, would join the

Hayley-Ann Mark

07 Apr 25 1 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Elevate Your Style With These Black-Owned Swimwear Brands

The days are getting warmer and the summer is right around the corner, so poolside days and beach getaways are on the horizon. This means that it’s time to start searching for the perfect swimwear and we’re here to help you out! From bold prints to flattering cuts

Hayley-Ann Mark

07 Apr 25 2 min read

News

Issa Rae’s New HBO Documentary “Seen & Heard” Sheds A Light On The History Of Black TV And The Reality Of The Black Experience

If there is one thing Issa Rae has always done, is bet on Black. Her commitment to elevating her community has always remained at the forefront of all her projects and initiatives, and she has never shied away from calling out Hollywood for its treatment of Black-led television shows. Last

Hayley-Ann Mark

04 Apr 25 1 min read

News

Netflix Greenlights Rare Pilot For “A Different World” Sequel

Originally airing in 1987, A Different World was created as a spin-off from The Cosby Show and followed Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) as she attended the fictional HBCU, Hillman College. Although Bonet left after the first season, the show continued to run on NBC for five more seasons, until 1993,

Hayley-Ann Mark

02 Apr 25 1 min read

News

Viral “Pop the Balloon” Dating Series Finds New Home on Netflix, With Yvonne Orji As Host

With over 100 million views on YouTube alone, popular dating series “Pop the Balloon or Find Love” is almost instantly recognizable across any social media platform, with multiple clips having gone viral on the internet. Created by Bolia Matundu (BM) and Arlette Amuli, the speed dating-style show brings a fresh

Hayley-Ann Mark

31 Mar 25 1 min read

Black History

Meet The Recently-Elected Black Officials Who Made History During The 2024 Elections

Within the Black community, the age-old saying that “we have to work twice as hard to be half as good” is not just mere rhetoric - it is a powerful truth for a people whose journeys have been marked by systemic barriers and challenges. This means that access to political

Hayley-Ann Mark

21 Nov 24 4 min read

Black Owned Businesses

19-Year-Old Chris Knight Opens Second Location Of Cookie Chris In Richmond, VA

Who knew that a penchant for baking with his grandmother would lead to Chris Knight owning not one, but two, brick and mortar cookie shops at just age 19? During the COVID-19 lockdown, when most social activities were restricted, Chris’ parents encouraged him to spend his time doing something productive.

Hayley-Ann Mark

04 Nov 24 1 min read

Black History

From Whence They Came: A Glimpse Into The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

You may remember Gullah Gullah Island, the tv show from the 90s that brought Binyah Binyah and the bright sunny weather into our homes. What you may not know is that this beloved tv show, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, was inspired by the real culture of the

Hayley-Ann Mark

01 Nov 24 3 min read

Black Excellence

The Black Wall Streets You May Not Have Heard Of

When we hear the phrase the “Black Wall Street”, we automatically think of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. More than just a thriving community, this neighborhood was a Black utopia that flourished in spite of the oppressive grip of segregation; yet, any mention of this community simultaneously invokes two

Hayley-Ann Mark

29 Oct 24 4 min read

Black Owned Businesses

Game, Set, Glo: Tennis Champion, Sloane Stephens, Serves Up New Body Care Line, Doc & Glo

Tennis champion, Sloane Stephens, is serving up something fresh off the court - her own all-gender body care line, Doc & Glo. Inspired by her personal journey and named after her maternal grandparents who instilled in her the importance of caring for both her mind and body, Stephens is transforming

Hayley-Ann Mark

16 Oct 24 1 min read

black authors

Stories That Shape Our World – How Colin Kaepernick’s AI-Based Platform, Lumi, Is Diversifying Storytelling

The stories that we consume, and engage with, directly inform how we understand the world; however, for years, the Publishing industry has been criticized for its lack of diversity in storytelling. Historically, this meant that the most widely consumed books often reflected a narrow world view, capturing limited experiences, perspectives,

Hayley-Ann Mark

10 Oct 24 2 min read

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