16. Her Company Still Exists Today
In 2013, Black-owned beauty company Sundial Brands purchased Madam C.J. Walker Enterprises, which contained the rights to the name and products. The original company had ceased production in 1981. Sundial’s owners collaborated with Madam C. J. Walker’s great-great-granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles, named after her great-grandmother, to help develop the re-launch of Walker’s line of products.
In 2016, more than a century after the original products hit the market, the Madam C. J. Walker brand came back to life as the Madam C. J. Walker Beauty Culture. The range of hair care products includes options for every hair texture and sells online as well as in Sephora stores and the Sephora website. The products were well reviewed and had seen substantial sales thus far. The Madam Walker Theatre Center actively helps to promote the new line of products as part of their efforts to ensure her legacy continues.
Sundial Brands also operates Shea Moisture and Nubian Heritage, both of which are focused on creating beauty products for Black Americans. They are part of a growing culture of Black-owned beauty brands such as Beauty Bakerie, Juvia’s Place, Pat McGrath, Iman Cosmetics and Rihanna’s Fenty. Given the lack of diverse foundation shades, cosmetic models and hair products in traditional brands, it is no surprise that Black entrepreneurs are seizing the opportunity to provide much-needed products.
Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture. 2018. Mcjwbeautyculture.com
“Madam C. J. Walker: A Brief Biographical Essay” A’Lelia Bundles, madamcjwalker.com. N.d.
“About Us.” Walker Theatre Center staff. 2018
“Walker, Madam C. J.” National Women’s Hall of Fame staff. n.d.