Every February, we celebrate Black History Month—a time to honor the powerful contributions of Black individuals to our culture, economy, and society. For Made in LA, this month is an opportunity to spotlight the achievements of Black-owned businesses that are not only making an impact within their communities, but also helping to reshape the city’s business landscape by manufacturing their products locally.
At the Made in LA Coalition, we are proud to highlight the incredible work of Black entrepreneurs who are leading the charge in local manufacturing, craftsmanship, and innovation. These businesses are at the heart of LA’s vibrant economy, creating jobs, fostering creativity, and proving that local manufacturing can thrive in our diverse and dynamic city.
These Black-owned Made in LA businesses are creating inclusive and meaningful fashion and beauty products:
Tracy Christian created Sante Grace to support making women feel good about themselves, crafting high-quality plus-size fashion with beautiful and sustainable fabrics. Sante Grace wants to create change in the fashion industry for both women and workers.
"I remember moving to LA, and it was really popular to talk about how you had to live here but didn’t like it, especially when speaking with New Yorkers. But today I love LA. You can’t complain about the weather. Or the possibility of showing up to your favorite restaurant and seeing your favorite actor. Taco trucks camped in front of Michelin-star restaurants, drive-through EVERYTHING and valet parking. Friends with pools, malls, and a thousand doughnut shops in a city where no one eats gluten. I love my LA." —Tracy from Sante Grace
OCTAVIA MORGAN is a Genderless Clean Fine Fragrance and Beauty brand. We source, curate, and create our fragrances, beauty, and home goods with the intention and purpose to “Elevate Your Senses.” Our parfums, beauty products, and home fragrances each have a unique signature blend designed for a one-of-a-kind sensory experience.
"Los Angeles is the heartbeat of my identity, shaping not only who I am but also the essence of our brand. LA’s vibrant culture, diverse communities, and creative energy inspire every note of our unisex clean fine fragrance. I want our brand to reflect the uniqueness of LA, celebrating the beauty of individuality and self-expression. By infusing our products with the spirit of this city, we honor its influence on our lives and invite others to experience the magic of Los Angeles through scent." — Octavia from Octavia Morgan
Founded in 2017 from a homeless shelter in Los Angeles, Vena Vena Handcrafted was created by Lavena Lewis to advocate for women experiencing housing insecurity. Vena Vena Handcrafted is committed to using sustainably and locally sourced end and deadstock leathers from LA, and all of its products are handmade.
“Los Angeles is my anchor and inspiration—a place that lifted me from homelessness and fueled my entrepreneurial spirit. As a single Black mom, I pour my creative energy into handcrafting each sustainable luxury leather accessory, embodying the artistic spirit that flows through Los Angeles. This city represents resilience and opportunity, values I embody in my business and proudly reflect in our “Made in LA” label.” — Lavena + Anu from Vena Vena
Supporting Black-owned businesses extends far beyond Black History Month—it's a year-round commitment to building an inclusive economy and society. When we invest in local Black businesses, we help create economic opportunities, ensure diversity in the marketplace, and support the next generation of leaders.
