TARGET(ing) Black Brands

Target has created a Black History Month Collection of Clothes that promotes and brings awareness to the culture. Currently in its 6th year, this is an idea that was created by Target’s African American Business Council (a collective of black employees from across the company’s departments) that now holds hundreds of styles and sold in its stores across the country. This year the collection included three winners from he HBCU design challenge; a competition that gives the opportunity to up and coming design students specifically from History Black Colleges, to get recognized for a design that fits with the collection’s theme.

This is only one part of its full initiative “Black Beyond Measure” which aims to support black businesses, entrepreneurs, and cultivate pride in the black community. Target has also partnered with 1863 ventures; whose mission is to create $100 million of new wealth by and for new majority entrepreneurs by 2030. The “new majority” market has grown in the past couple of years to be saturated by persons of color and more particularly females of color.

One major way they have put this into action is by bringing awareness and providing promotion to Black Owned and Created brands, presenting them to customers not only during Black History Month, but year-round. Ethnic brands that have made a permanent place on Target’s shelves include:

Kinky Curly (hair brand)

Mess in a Bottle- an innovative apparel company which draws its inspiration from the concept of sending messages on the ocean through a bottle. It pushes to give a voice to the voiceless and inspire.

Mented Cosmetics (cosmetic brand)

SoapSox- A children’s washcloth. Basically a toy that doubles as a loofah that helps ease bath time. It holds soap but can also be played with.

Partake Foods (healthy snack brand)