Rapper and entrepreneur Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has launched a curated online marketplace for black-owned businesses, including beauty brands.
Called Empower Global, it is designed to allow consumers to shop black-owned brands across beauty, fashion, art and lifestyle, while providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
More than 70 brands are currently available on the platform, including male grooming brand Scotch Porter, skin care brand Buttah Skin, and cosmetics brands Marie Hunter Beauty, Pound Cake and Beauty Stat Cosmetics.
There will also be further opportunities for brands to join as the site plans to introduce new businesses monthly, aiming to offer more than 200 brands by the end of 2023.
“We are thrilled to launch this initiative, which not only showcases the incredible products and talents of black-owned businesses but also provides a gateway for consumers to support and uplift our community,” said Tarik Brooks, President of parent company Combs Global.
“Through Empower Global, we aim to foster sustainable growth and create lasting opportunities that will leave a positive and enduring impact on the black economy."
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"My mission has always been to empower black entrepreneurs and create more opportunities for them to access the resources, tools and support needed to build successful businesses," added Combs.
"Empower Global will uplift black entrepreneurs, keep dollars circulating in our community, and make buying black a lifestyle."
The launch comes as a number of beauty players are stepping up to elevate black- and minority-owned brands.
Glossier this year extended its grant programme for black-owned beauty businesses to the UK, offering £10k in funding to five grantees.
Retailer Thirteen Lune – which also counts Combs as an investor as well as actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts – meanwhile secured $8m in seed funding to grow its business, which spotlights BIPOC-founded beauty brands.
Empower Global is live now at empowerglobal.shop.
