Black History Month is a moment to reflect on the cultural influence, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Black communities across the UK. For many Black founders, building a business often means navigating systemic challenges while creating products, services, and spaces that speak to underrepresented voices. Their success stories show what can be achieved with creativity, determination, and a drive to increase inclusivity.
From pioneering beauty brands to Michelin-starred restaurants, Black-owned businesses in the UK are a driving force of innovation and resilience. Supporting these businesses should be more than a symbolic gesture. Just by uncovering and understanding the backstories behind these businesses, you’re helping support a more diverse, dynamic economy.
Here are 5 thriving Black-owned businesses that are making their mark. Read on to discover more and to learn how you can champion them.
Key takeaways
- Black-owned businesses in the UK are making an impact across various industries, from beauty and fashion to food and hospitality.
- Investing in and promoting these ventures helps strengthen economic inclusivity and amplifies underrepresented voices.
- Grants and community networks can support aspiring Black entrepreneurs in growing their businesses sustainably.
1. Afrocenchix – Haircare innovators
Founded by:
Rachael Twumasi-Corson and Joycelyn Mate.
What they do:
Afrocenchix creates and sells natural, ethical products tailored to Afro, coily, and curly hair. Their range includes sulphate-free shampoos, silicone-free conditioners, nourishing oils, and masks. Everything they make is about promoting hair health and caring for your scalp. That’s why they prioritise using gentle ingredients that are free from harsh chemicals. Plus, all their products are vegan and fair trade.
Their story:
University friends turned founders, Twumasi-Corson and Mate, launched Afrocenchix in 2010, following a conversation about their struggles with hair loss and sensitive scalps. This sparked the idea for a range of products that used ancient natural ingredients to address these concerns.
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With a keen interest in chemistry, the pair began extensive research, acquiring laboratory equipment to experiment with various raw materials. Thanks to this initiative, they were able to create the first version of their product range.
Notable achievements:
2015: Won UCL Bright Ideas Award
2017: Became the first Black-owned haircare company to have its products sold in Whole Foods UK
2019: Won ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and ‘SME of the Year’ at the Precious Awards
2021: Raised $1.2 million in funding through Google’s Black Founders Fund
Today, Afrocenchix products are sold in 54 different countries. With a dedicated in-house cosmetic science team, they continue to grow. Visit Afrocenchix to learn more about their ethical and effective haircare solutions.
2. The Black Farmer – Premium food brand
Founded by:
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE.
What they do:
The Black Farmer offers a range of premium products, including sausages, bacon, eggs, and chicken, all sourced from British farms that prioritise ethical practices. The brand also champions free-range farming, ensuring animals are raised with care and respect. The Black Farmer stands out by challenging stereotypes and fostering inclusivity within the food and farming industries.
Their story:
Born in Jamaica, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones moved to the UK at three years old as part of the Windrush generation. Raised in inner-city Birmingham as the eldest of nine children, he discovered his passion for farming while helping his father grow vegetables on the family allotment.
That early experience sparked a dream of owning his own farm – a dream he finally achieved at the age of 40, when he bought land in Devon. There, his neighbours began calling him “the black farmer”, a nickname that inspired the launch of his brand in 2004.
Notable achievements:
2005: Launched the Young Black Farmers scholarship as part of the Young City Farmers scheme
2020: Launched a new range of sausages featuring the faces of Black British heroes like Mary Seacole and George Arthur Roberts, and was awarded MBE for services to British farming
2023: Opened first brick & mortar store in Brixton
2025: Opened second store in White City
The Black Farmer has grown to be one of the UK’s largest suppliers of premium farm foods from Devon, with products stocked in retailers including M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Ocado. Visit The Black Farmer to discover a brand that bridges heritage, inclusivity, and premium quality.
3. Hair Lounge – Hairdressing & hair care products
Founded by:
Charlotte Mensah.
What they do:
Hair Lounge is an award-winning hairdressing salon based in Notting Hill, London. Led by Mensah and her expert team, it specialises in top-notch Afro hair care delivered in a luxurious salon setting. Mensah’s salon is hugely popular and boasts celebrity clients including Zadie Smith, Michaela Coel, and Eryka Badu.
Their story:
Mensah was born in London to Ghanaian parents. As a child, she lived with her grandparents in Ghana before returning to the UK at age 11. Mensah discovered her calling after losing her mother, which inspired her to pursue hairdressing as a livelihood and a healing form. At 17, she trained at Splinters, the UK’s first luxury Afro-Caribbean hair salon. In 1999, with support from The Prince’s Trust, Mensah opened her first salon, later launching Hair Lounge in Notting Hill in 2003.
Notable achievements:
2016: Launched the Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil product range, a luxurious collection designed to protect, rehydrate, and revitalise hair.
2017: Became the first Black woman inducted into the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame – a groundbreaking milestone in an industry that has historically overlooked Afro haircare and the experiences of Black women. Mensah’s recognition challenges the stigma surrounding Black hair and sets a new precedent for representation in British hairdressing.
2020: Published ‘Good Hair: The Essential Guide to Afro, Textured and Curly Hair‘, exploring the history and politics of Afro hair and offering a pragmatic guide for those with textured hair.
Mensah has become a leading figure in the natural haircare movement. She’s recognised as a go-to expert for caring for natural Afro, mixed, and curly hair textures, and has been featured in top magazines like Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Tatler. Celebrate heritage and style by exploring Hair Lounge’s services.
4. Chishuru – Michelin-Starred West African Cuisine
Founded by:
Adejoké (Joké) Bakare
What they do:
Chishuru is a stylish London restaurant celebrating modern West African food with a fine-dining twist. The menu is built around bold, layered flavours and seasonal ingredients. Bakare reimagines popular dishes like jollof rice and plantain. It fuses these with contemporary techniques and brings regional specialities to the table, like sinasir (rice pancake) and ekoki (steamed corn pudding).
Their story:
Self-taught chef Bakare began her journey by running a fish and chip cart while studying biological science in Nigeria. Upon moving to the UK, Bakare kept up her passion and started a food van outside her church in southeast London. Success came when Bakare entered and won the Brixton Kitchen amateur cooking competition in 2019.
The victory led to a pop-up restaurant, and a glowing review in The Guardian helped it become a permanent establishment. It quickly gained fans for its contemporary and exciting take on West African flavours.
Notable achievements:
2024: Became the first Black female chef in the UK to earn a Michelin star, was nominated ‘Chef of the Year’ at the National Restaurant Awards, featured in the Code Hospitality Women of the Year list, and was named by the Financial Times as one of the 25 most influential women of 2024
2025: Listed in British Vogue’s ‘Vogue 25: The Women Defining Britain in 2025’ issue
The word ‘chishuru’ means ‘the silence that descends when you’re enjoying a meal’, but critics continue to be anything but quiet about Bakare’s culinary prowess. Visit Chishuru and experience West African cuisine with world-class recognition.
5. Nubian Skin – Inclusive lingerie
Founded by:
Ade Hassan MBE
What they do:
Nubian Skin provides nude lingerie and hosiery designed specifically for women of colour.
Their story:
Frustrated that she could never find underwear in her skin tone, Hassan came up with the idea of a collection of lingerie and hosiery to cater to women of colour – bringing true inclusivity to the fashion industry’s limited perception of “nude”. She worked in finance for three years to raise money for her business and launched Nubian Skin in 2014.
Notable achievements:
2016: Received the Great British Entrepreneur Award
2016: Approached by Beyoncé to make underwear for her Formation tour dancers
2017: Awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace for services to fashion
2019: Presented a TEDx Talk about the reality of reaching your goal and how Nubian Skin was born
2022: Collaborated with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to launch the UK’s first Softie Breast Forms for mastectomy patients of colour
Nubian Skin ships worldwide and is stocked in Fenwick of Bond Street and ASOS, as well as retailers in the US, Nigeria, and the Caribbean. Visit Nubian Skin to browse inclusive lingerie or follow their journey on Instagram.
How can I support black-owned businesses?
Supporting Black entrepreneurs in the UK goes beyond shopping local. By being proactive, you can find a host of ways to make an impact. Here are a few ideas:
- Shop and share – Buy directly from Black-owned businesses and recommend them across your networks.
- Engage with events – Attend the UK Black Business Show and participate in initiatives like Black Pound Day, a nationwide campaign encouraging shoppers to engage with Black-owned businesses.
- Leverage directories – Platforms like Cashblack spotlight hundreds of businesses worth discovering. Better still, they reward their members with cashback when they shop online with Black-owned businesses.
A customer success story
Cashblack was founded in 2020 by brothers Matthew, Jonathan and Nicholas Addai. Stemming from that summer’s global anti-racism movement, the brothers registered their business with 1st Formations. Since then, they have expanded their platform to the US and have been included in the 2025 Startups 100 index. We caught up with them about their experience:
We started both Cashblack and Afrofiliate through 1st Formations. As founders of two tech companies, we already have loads to deal with on a day-to-day basis regarding building and innovating technology for our customers and partners. Thanks to 1st Formations, admin isn’t one of our many issues, so we can better focus on delivering the best product possible to our community.
It’s great to see how administrative support can play a critical role in empowering entrepreneurs like the Addai brothers to focus on growth and ultimately enhance their impact.
Thinking of starting your own business?
Each of the founders we highlighted took a sense of purpose and turned their dreams into a brand. If you’re dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, the first step is finding your niche. Once you’ve done that, don’t hesitate to tap into local resources, join community networks, and learn from the real innovators out there. The UK’s business landscape is diverse and evolving, and your idea could be the next success story.
Register your business to make a strong impression and hit the ground running with the help of 1st Formations.
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