6 WOC That Are Lighting Up The Cannabis Industry
Whether sparking one up is a guilty pleasure of yours or you are loud and proud with it, the cannabis industry is skyrocketing!
As multiple states legalize weed and the industry experiences a boom of CBD Hemp healing, sales, and usage, it's safe to say that this industry is a shoo-in for profit where WOC can cash in. And they can do so all while making a difference in reversing the effects of the "War on Drugs," eradicating the stigma of cannabis use, and incorporating marijuana into spirituality, creativity, and alternative or holistic healing.
I had a sit down with ganja veteran Khadijah Adams in the cannabis industry who is the vice president and COO of C.E. Hutton, a business development company seeking to help minority-led cannabis businesses. Underneath C.E. Hutton, Khadijah also offers a line of exclusive cannabis products through CBD Well 101. She has been a pioneer for black and brown women looking to tap into the industry, sitting on the board of the National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Committee of the Minority Business Council (MBC) of the National Cannabis Industry Association. (NCIA)
Read on for details about Khadijah's journey, the cannabis business basics, as well as a few other millennial WOC who are legally jumping on the bandwagon and turning marijuana into money. You never know, this may spark up a few cannabis entrepreneurial ideas of your own!
How She Overcame Fear and Took A Leap of Faith Into The Legal Cannabis Industry:
"When Colorado announced they were legalizing cannabis for recreational consumption, I sent a blast text message to over 200+ people informing them that 'everything must go.' The message was well received by some and refused by others and honestly, I didn't care one bit. My only concern was that I had the support of my four sons, two of whom are Christian Ministers in Texas. They didn't like the idea of me leaving Sugar Land, Texas to enter an illegal industry, and especially moving to a state that is only 8% African American. Surprisingly, they were very supportive! So, I proceeded to sell everything in my house at a garage sale; except for my car, clothes, cell, and computer. And on March 14, 2014, I drove to Colorado, and positioned in the industry almost immediately through collaborations and making the right connections."
Why Women of Color Should Cash Into The Cannabis Game:
"This is a newly statewide legal industry and 29 states out of 50 have legalized for recreational or medicinal consumption. That in itself reeks of 'opportunity' and many women of color are transitioning from corporate America, or are transitioning their current companies into the cannabis space because the opportunity is much bigger here than in traditional industries. Also, we are natural nurturers, and our first instinct is to help people. Whole plant medicine and CBDs are helping people."
How The Legal Cannabis Industry Can Be As A Tool To In Black and Brown Communities:
"As people of color, we have been systematically plagued with the stigma of marijuana; we have been beaten, killed, and imprisoned for over 80+ years because of lies, greed, and blatant discrimination. This industry was built on our backs and is now being legalized across America and dominated by many who have not suffered one bit from the 'War on Drugs,' and by some who laugh about their one-time overnight jail time and small slap on the wrist. While most people of color are still scared to enter this industry, the ones who are in the industry are still fighting for inclusion.
"As people of color, we should want to learn more about this industry, re-educate ourselves with the truth about cannabis and help to dispel the lies and hatred surrounding our community, as it relates to the stigma that's been created. Most importantly, we should want to position ourselves in this industry, aim for creating generational wealth for our families, with hopes of one day restoring our communities."
Obstacles To Overcome as WOC in The Legal Cannabis Industry:
"Access and capital are two of the main difficulties for WOC looking to gain entry into this industry. Many people of color are looking to connect to the right people to help them position, and in most cases, people who look like us. Truth is, many of us don't have the necessary capital to support our dreams or ideas. For most who have positioned in this industry, find it hard to obtain the capital needed to expand."
Her Greatest Accomplishment:
"My biggest accomplishments in the industry was selling my previous company, MIPR Holdings, LLC. My ultimate goal is to help a lot of people look and feel better with whole plant medicine and CBDS while also creating generational wealth and helping others do the same."
What She Smokes:
"I'm a Sativa lover with a very high tolerance. I combine Trainwreck, Lavender Jones, and Lemon Skunk. I call it a 'fruit bowl of love.'"
Her Advice To Newbies:
- Learn the medical and/or adult use laws in your home state.
- Get involved with your local cannabis advocates and activists in your community, such as Marijuana Policy Project, NORML, and the NCIA, etc.
- Connect to leaders with proven track records in this industry to help mentor you, then listen to them when they give advice. Let your final decision be the one that you make.
- Connect with positive people who will encourage you and hold you accountable.
- Learn as much as possible about the field you intend on entering, and volunteer at as many events surrounding your field, as much as you can, because on the job training is the actual education!
For more inspiration for getting involved in the cannabis industry, follow these 5 millennial WOC killing it in the weed game!
1.Mary Pryor, @Cannaclusive
Mary Pryor
Women's Freedom Conference
Mary Pryor is an alternative healer, and a co-founder of Cannaclusive, which was established to facilitate fair representation of minority cannabis consumers. Her company celebrates the cultures of the thriving cannabis community, by curating experiences, groundbreaking insights, thoughtful content and dynamic visuals; making it easier for brands to communicate with diverse audiences and rally in the fight for legalization and de-stigmatization of marijuana.
Featured photo by Joy Victoria Clarke/Mahogany Mary
Fontaine Felisha Foxworth is a writer and creative entrepreneur from Brooklyn New York. She is currently on the West Coast working on creating a TV Pilot called "Finding Fontaine", that details the nomadic journey of her life so far. Keep up with her shenanigans @famoustaine on IG.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line CÉCRED & Here's My Honest Review
Beyoncé is snatching our wallets yet again with her latest business venture CÉCRED. In 2023, the Texas native hinted at a potential haircare line when she posted this photo causing fans to speculate that her next project would be focused on her famous tresses - they were right. Her haircare line Cécred launched on February 20 with her first drop called The Foundation Collection which focuses on haircare first, and I can only assume that a style product line for colored-treated hair will likely follow since Beyoncé is known for slaying various shades of blonde.
As a super fan since the early 2000s, it was only right that I give an honest review of the full line and purchase the Super Fan Bundle (retailed at $265) which includes the full product line of the 8 products, as well as a branded cosmetic bag. If you’re thinking, “Girl that bundle is too pricey for me,” I can assure you that for the value you're getting, the price is quite reasonable. This bundle was an intentional and marketable way to allow consumers to experience every Cécred product.
The brand messaging surrounding Cécred has been salon-inspired, and rightfully so as an ode to Beyoncé’s upbringing growing up in her mother’s hair salon in Houston. This line is backed by science and licensed cosmetologists showing that she’s done her research and appointed the experts. Cécred's IG feed has been filled with images and videos inside of hair salons including some videos of Ms. Tina herself assisting in the styling of beauty experts who visited Cécred's private salon to have the VIP treatment!
Now, have I seen influencers, consumers, and beauty stylists using the Foundation Collection at home? Yes, but I thought it was best to experience Cécred with my go-to cosmetologist who also happens to be my Auntie Tawana. She has been my educator and go-to for hair knowledge since I was a child and has had a hand in my mom's hair health which has always been goals for me. As a little girl, my Saturdays were spent sitting in her hair salon while my mama got her hair done as I patiently waited reading Jet and ESSENCE, ever so carefully eavesdropping on the conversations of the ladies who were coming for much more than just a beauty routine, but an experience.
I’d fall asleep on the plush couch in the waiting area flipping through magazines while listening to the sultry sounds of Maxwell. And I had my first lesson in breakup empowerment when I heard Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before.” So there was no other place for me to go than to see her, and because I’m her niece, I was able to visit her private salon in her home that she calls The After Hours where upon arrival I was greeted with my favorite Black-owned sparkling Rosé, candles lit, and my aunt’s breakdown of Cécred.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
But let me refocus and share my salon experience as I tried Cécred for the first time.
If You’re Wondering…Who is Cécred For?
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
When news of Beyoncé potentially launching a beauty brand hit the internet, there were a bunch of predictions of what and who the line would be marketed towards and if she’d have any wig care products as she’s known for slaying her units! But she went in a totally different direction which I love, and I’m going to tell you why. Critics have questioned if Beyoncé should be venturing into the haircare industry because she is often seen in weaves and wigs, but true Beyoncé fans know that she has healthy hair and that, like many Black women, experiments with various styles.
Cécred was created for all hair types and textures, including straight to coily, virgin, color-treated, chemically processed, and heat-styled. As a Black woman who has worn wigs, had chemically processed hair, heat-styled, natural, and color-treated hair, let me tell you, this was no easy feat! The amount of money I’ve spent on my hair through its various changes just on product alone, forget styling has been astronomical.
Cécred is serving the needs of various hair types in textures and I truly believe that this is going to make Beyoncé a true competitor in the hair industry amongst brands that are comparable such as OUAI and Olaplex. Both competitor brands have similar items at a higher price point and unlike Cécred, their products and brand messaging haven’t always felt inclusive to Black women and other hair types.
Cécred has been tested inclusively and the reviews from various hair types and backgrounds of consumers are allowing the brand to stand out.
I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line Cécred: My Honest Review
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
My hair has never felt cleaner and it shined for well over a week following the styling (but the oil should be used sparingly if like me, oil can weigh down your hair.) Immediately when my hair touched the sink, my aunt told me that she saw all the dirt and oils lifting from my hair when she applied the clarifying shampoo. As a girl who loves my curls, I am often judgy when I use any other shampoo and conditioner aside from Pattern, but not this time.
When my aunt guided my hands across my hair, she showed me how my curls weren’t tangled, and how she didn’t need to comb out my curls before applying the moisturizing deep conditioner or the deconstructing treatment mask.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
She applied each step with care and walked me through the process, and to my surprise, the hair mask wasn’t thick - but through trial and error as a natural girl, I’ve learned that a thick mask doesn’t always equal what’s best for your hair. She styled me with a silk press that left my hair with shine and I can honestly say that each step of the line is needed especially if you are someone who changes up your hair and deals with breakage. If your hair is healthy, you can opt out of the reconstructing treatment mask but I recommend taking the product line to your salon, having a discussion with your stylist on where your hair health needs improvement, and then purchasing based on that.
We know ourselves better than anyone else, but your stylist knows your hair better than you do. I like to lead with their knowledge first and then incorporate what my hair goals are. If you’re a girly who’s committed to hair health and has either the discipline to incorporate each step at home or can bring your products to the salon, Cécred is for you no matter if you’re a silk press or a wash-and-go naturalist.
Give Cécred a try, I’ll be using the line for my hair appointments until it runs out and if I see long-term results, it will be added to the beauty regimen indefinitely.
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Featured image courtesy of CÉCRED