As Black History Month Begins, Consider Some Black-owned Made in America Products

These five small manufacturers make everything from beauty products to dryer balls.

February is Black History Month, a celebration of the contributions African-Americans have made to the rich culture and legacy of our country. One of them has been a significant role in shaping the United States’ vibrant manufacturing landscape, an economic sector that has traditionally offered a pathway to the middle class for Black Americans and other workers of color.

Unfortunately, Black Americans have been among the most impacted by deindustrialization in recent decades. Many of the American cities most affected by it – places like Baltimore, Detroit, and Flint, Mich. – are majority Black. You can read more about the consequences of the loss of American manufacturing on Black communities in a 2016 Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) report.

Today, however, we’re focusing on Black Americans who are making in America; sourcing supplies in the United States, creating jobs and generating economic activity right here at home.  We’ve rounded up five such businesses that keep it Made in the USA.

American Hats LLC

The American Hats LLC factory in Philadelphia has been operating for 102 years, making it one of the oldest hat manufacturers in the United States. Since 2015 it’s been owned by Rev. Georgiette Morgan-Thomas. Before getting into the hat industry, Rev. Georgiette lived in New York City and was a civil rights activist. It was the inspiration of her grandmother and her Southern upbringing that developed her passion for hats. “As an African American woman growing up in Alabama, I was taught to always look people in the eye,” she told CBS News. “No matter what name someone might’ve called me—when I put a hat on, I am reminded to sit up straight, to walk straight, to hold my head up high.” This company makes hats designed for fancier occasions for both wholesale and retail customers, and some of its products are made using 20th century equipment, meaning they’re truly made the old-fashioned way. Be sure to catch AAM’s podcast interview with Rev. Georgiette here.

Black Girl Sunscreen

Shontay Lundy was frustrated with a lack of sunscreen options designed specifically for darker skin. Existing sunscreen left visible white marks on melanated skin, turning people of color off from using it. Plus, misconceptions that Black people “don’t need” to wear sunscreen meant that many people who needed to protect their skin weren’t. So, Shontay decided to create her own brand of sunscreen that would work better for people of color, which is how Black Girl Sunscreen got its start. This company’s sprays and lotions are specifically designed with dark skin in mind and don’t leave white streaks. You can purchase the sunscreen directly from the website, or you can find Black Girl Sunscreen at major retailers including Walmart, Ulta and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Just keep in mind that while the sunscreen is Made in the USA with domestic and imported components, Black Girl Sunscreen’s website sells a limited number of clothing items that may not be American-made, so check labels!

LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets can help soften your clothes, prevent them from sticking together while drying and reduce lint and wrinkles. But since they’re one use only, they’re not exactly sustainable. What’s more they may contain chemicals that you don’t want on your clothes. That was the issue that Cyndi Prince wanted to solve, and it’s why she created LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls. Named after her childhood nickname (Cyndi LooHoo), LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls serve the same function as dryer sheets but are reusable for up to two years. By placing three to five of these balls in the dryer, your clothes will soften and they’ll even smell better, without the use of added fragrance! Cyndi’s upbringing on a farm influenced her decision to source her wool 100% domestically and close to company headquarters in Camden, Maine. That means these products are Made in the USA every step of the way.

Peter’s Pottery

In Mound Bayou, Miss., pottery is a passion for the Woods family. Peter Woods and his brothers worked for a pottery business the next town over before they decided to start their own. After trying and failing to get a loan, the brothers sold everything they owned to get the money to start Peter’s Pottery, which has become well-known in Mississippi and nationwide. The offerings are made from Mississippi mud and range from art pieces depicting animals and Nativity scenes to more functional pieces like lamp shades, vases and bowls. Peter’s Pottery is very active in the Mound Bayou community and frequently hosts fundraisers for St. Jude’s. But if you want to order from them, you’ll need to call them directly using the phone number on their website.

BGLH Marketplace

Leila Noelliste began her career as a blogger, writing about her experience as a Black woman embracing her natural hair for the first time. It was through that experience that she fell in love with Shea, mango and cocoa butter, which benefited both her skin and hair. When the readers of her blog said they couldn’t access these ingredients in an all-natural way, Leila decided to begin making her own beauty products. She learned pastry making techniques to create beautifully whipped body creams, and BGLH Marketplace was born. What started out as an off-shoot of the blog has out-lived it. BGLH (which stands for Black Girl with Long Hair, the name of the blog) still sells all-natural, whipped body butter today. All the products are made by hand in New York from all-natural ingredients. But even though there’s no artificial fragrances added, these beauty butters still smell amazing. You can use it as lotion, on your hair, to help with cracked feet. And, since there’s no harsh chemicals added, your body will thank you for using it.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing does not receive a commission from purchases made through the above links, nor was the organization or author paid for favorable coverage.

Labeling Note: This story is intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on the companies listed to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company featured is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that because a company is listed in the guide that their products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs.

For more on the Federal Trade Commission’s standards for “Made in USA” claims and California’s “Made in USA” labeling law, please also read this guest post by Dustin Painter and Kristi Wolff of Kelly Drye & Warren, LLP.