One Indianapolis mother decided to take matters into her own hands once she realized that the beauty products on the market were causing further harm to her daughter’s skin. Enter The Season Sisters Beauty.
Founded in 2020, The Season Sisters Beauty, LLC is a skincare line with a history as rich and organic as its products. Launched by Dorthea Hurt, The Season Sisters Beauty originated as a by-product of Hurt’s daughter, Spryng, being teased about her skin by her classmates.
“They used to call me ‘crocodile skin’ and other rude names because of my eczema,” Spryng Hurt said.
Dorthea Hurt wanted to do something about Spryng’s issues, so she created a line of products safe for her daughter’s skin. Hurt’s original product was a soap made of kale, honey and other natural products containing antioxidants. Hurt quickly noticed how her original soaps reduced the scarring on her daughter’s skin.
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The skincare brand prides itself on its chemical-free soap, body butter, moisturizers, oils and scrubs. The Season Sisters Beauty also sells stylish planters and other novelty gardening products.
The organization gets its name from Hurt’s three daughters: Spryng, Wynter and Autumn.
Spryng, now age 13, religiously attends First Fridays near the Murphy Arts Center in Fountain Square, working at the business’ vendor booth, where products sell out often.
“If you dream it to be, then it can be,” Spryng Hurt said.
For those interested in purchasing products from The Season Sisters outside of First Friday events in Fountain Square, visit their website here.
This story was composed by multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III who can be reached at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham.
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Don Briggs, founder and CEO of Briggs Professional Photography LLC, gives back to the Indianapolis community through complimentary photography services for organizations, such as Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation, the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and The Villages.
Briggs Professional Photography LLC was founded in 2004 and is a certified minority business enterprise (MBE). The business was awarded the August 2023 Certified Vendor of the Month by Mayor Joe Hogsett.
“I am honored to receive such a prestigious award, and want to thank all clients, supporters and community partners,” Don Briggs said. “I believe photographers are needed more than ever to capture the memories and experiences our clients cherish.”
Photography services require an appointment. To book a session, click HERE or call 317-372-4589.
Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email JaydenK@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay.
According to its two owners, the angel number 222 emphasizes creativity, which can lead to further self-discovery. The business believes that finding ways to express your own creativity is encouraging.
They are excited to announce their new hoodie dedicated to 16-year-old Serenity Wilson who was shot and killed at a block party in the 3200 block of Forest Manor Avenue slightly after 11 p.m. on July 3.
MAJESTICALLYEVIL222 is asking family and friends to get together to do a photoshoot with their hoodies.
Wilson’s family has been supportive of the business online.
Dalancee Trabue is the CEO of Beauty Roots, a locally owned and operated natural hair care business.
Trabue, an Indianapolis native, officially launched her business in 2021, but has been creating handmade products for herself, friends and family since 2019. Trabue said her interest in natural hair care products began in college after doing “the big chop” and realizing she did not know the best ways to style or care for her natural hair.
A lot of the largely manufactured products on the market include harmful ingredients or drying alcohols, and Trabue said those kinds of products do not always work for everyone. Using her master’s degree in biology and bachelor’s in chemistry, Trabue got to work creating her own solution in the form of all natural and organic products.
Everything is handmade, from the clarifying shampoo and conditioner to the hair love oil, hair cream and whipped body butter.
Beauty Roots currently operates as an online business and pop-up shop and can be found at festivals around Indianapolis, such as the Indy Vegan Hair Festival on Aug. 13, 2023. More information about Beauty Roots can be found at facebook.com/BeautyRoots.97/ and beautyrootsllc.com. To get in touch, email beauty.roots97@gmail.com or call (317) 537-7759.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
2022 Champions of Diversity Award Winners. (Photo/Indianapolis Recorder)
Nominations for the 2024 Champions of Diversity Awards are officially open.
Presented by the Minority Business Review and Indiana Minority Business Magazine, the 2024 Champions of Diversity Awards nominations opened Aug. 1. The 17th annual awards dinner, which is set to take place Jan. 12, 2024, aims to highlight individuals, companies and organizations exhibiting exemplary commitment to diversity in Indiana throughout the year.
“Our Champions of Diversity awards dinner continues to grow. This demonstrates that bringing greater visibility to diversity, equity and inclusion advocates matters now more than ever,” Robert Shegog, president and CEO of Recorder Media Group, said in a statement. “In 2024, we are excited to expand the Champions of Diversity footprint to a national level through Minority Business Review. The awards dinner in January will bring together local, state, and national diversity champions who continue to make a positive impact on minority communities in Indiana.”
Champions of Diversity Award winners will be celebrated alongside six additional award winners who will receive one of the following: Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award, William G. Mays Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award, Lifetime Education Advocate Award, President’s Choice Award and a new award dedicated to the late Amos Brown.
The Amos Brown Community Advocate Award honors Brown, who was a long-time Indianapolis journalist and community crusader. The Community Advocate Award will be given to an individual who has continued his legacy of advocacy in Indiana.
Champions of Diversity have highlighted dozens of diverse leaders and advocates over the past 17 years and will continue to recognize the hard work and dedication to diversity people are doing in the city. Previous Champions of Diversity Award winners include Dr. Toby Malichi, founder and CEO of Malichi Group Worldwide; Winne Bulaya, founder of Refugee Welcome Basket; Engaging Solutions, Meticulous Design + Architecture, Karrah Herring, Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity officer of the State of Indiana; The Oaks Academy, Vera Bradley, The Mind Trust, Dr. Eugene White, former president emeritus of Martin University; and many more.
Nominations for the 2024 Champions of Diversity Awards will be accepted through Sept. 29 and are open to anyone regardless of race, discipline, industry or background. Third-party nominations and self-applications are both welcomed.
The Annual Champions of Diversity Awards Dinner will be held Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the JW Marriott Indianapolis, 10 W. St. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a networking reception at 5:30 p.m.
The event will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit indianaminoritybusinessmagazine.com or contact championsofdiversity@indyrecorder.com.
Launched in 2020, the EXHALE app is the first emotional well-being app designed specifically for Black, Indigenous and women of color.
“In lieu of everything that was happening in the Black community, the oppression that already exists, was being exasperated. I was frustrated. And I was stressed. I went to search for some well-being apps, and there was nothing for the Black community,” said Katara McCarty, president and CEO of the EXHALE app.
Since launching in 2020, EXHALE has reached 17,000 downloads, with users in 55 countries. This, playing a critical role in filling a gap in the number of available resources that support minority women.
The Indy entrepreneur hosted a free event to celebrate the launch of the new version of her EXHALE app. She also hosted a panel discussion on “The State of Self-Care for Black Women” report.
McCarty, who surveyed over 1,000 Black women for the report, moderated the panel, speaking with panelists Dr. Colette Pierce-Burnette, president and CEO of Newfields, Andrea Hunley, state senator for District 46, and Angela Smith Jones, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County.
“The people that have to do the dismantling are non-people of color, and we don’t hold the power and privilege to do that as a Black community. We can speak to it, we can resist it, but my hope is that EXHALE exists to give a space on how to handle our mental and emotional health,” said McCarty.
Nearly half of the Black women surveyed for the report indicate that stress impacts their daily lives. 25% report being hospitalized or needing medical care due to stress.
An overwhelming 76% of the respondents think there is a prevalence of people who believe Black Women are stronger than most people. Therefore, they should be able to manage more stress than others.
66% of those surveyed say they overexert themselves to excel in the workplace and to take care of personal responsibilities.
While resources to manage stress have become more abundant, the report further confirms that Black women face many barriers in accessing formal mental health resources, with the majority of resources failing to address the unique experiences of Black women.
As a result, 77% of respondents believe there is a need for more tools like EXHALE and resources tailored to support their specific needs.
The EXHALE app had their first panel discussion in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Essence Fest.
They will hold further panels in Los Angeles, California, and New York City, New York.
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Chef David Brown, owner of Naptown Hot Chicken, was also looking for his passion when he created Naptown Hot Chicken. His upbringing in Haughville has been an inspiration to continuously move forward, do better and stay local, he said.
Brown has been in the food industry for about 15 years after an eight-year stint in the Navy and Army. Going from a rescue swimmer to a chef brings on a different kind of heat, but he said it made for a smooth transition.
After serving, he got his master’s degree and searched for his next adventure. He wanted something easy but unique, he said. His twist on the Nashville Hot Chicken is a liquidized sauce instead of the original hot breading. He hopes to inspire others to “keep growing and keep going.”
“Always keep your goals, make big goals, accomplish those goals, and set more goals,” Brown said.
Naptown’s Hot Chicken has a location at City Market and inside of Circle Center Mall’s food court.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
CHEA Clothing, LLC is a business that provides high-grade adaptive apparel for people with unique physical needs. The company was founded in 2001 by Joyce Fields, who was inspired to create the line after her son, Tilas, was born with cerebral palsy.
CHEA Clothing’s mission is to offer a clothing line that is comfortable, stylish and easy to wear while allowing easy access. The line is designed to allow people with disabilities to live and be seen in a dignified way at home or in public.
CHEA is also an acronym, meaning “Creatively Heavenly Extraordinaire Attire,” which was created with Tilas in mind.
Joyce Fields is the founder and CEO of CHEA Clothing, LLC. She is the mother of three children. Her son Tilas passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on through CHEA Clothing.
“Dressing a child with special needs can be difficult, but I love making clothes, and I love my boys,” Fields said.
Growing up, Fields’ passion for making clothes burned hotter and hotter. Fields attended the Cleveland Institute of Art, where she studied fashion and design.
While gaining experience in the fashion industry, Fields quickly noticed that children such as Tilas have a difficult time sourcing outfits.
“It is not many local clothiers who make clothes for those with disabilities,” Fields said.
The company’s products include a variety of items, such as shirts, trousers, skirts, blouses, dresses and outerwear. The clothing is made from a variety of materials, including cotton, polyester and spandex. The designs are both stylish and functional, and they are designed to accommodate a variety of disabilities.
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Additionally, some of the company’s products have openings that allow for easy access to feeding tubes or catheters. Other products have Velcro closures that make it easier for people with limited mobility to get dressed.
According to latest figures from Statista, the adaptive clothing market has witnessed significant growth in recent years and was valued at $300 billion in 2021. The global market outlook is projected to grow 16% by 2024. Additionally, research by Coresight Research indicates that the U.S. market is estimated to reach an impressive $54.8 billion by 2023.
A volunteer of CHEA Clothing helps a contestant prepare for a fashion show. (Photo provided/CHEA Clothing)
The reach of adaptive clothing is indicative of CHEA Clothing’s extensive partnerships with various organizations, including Special Olympics, Make a Wish Foundation, Noble Indiana and Loving Care Nursing Agency.
CHEA Clothing took part in a fashion show in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in May. The event focused on raising awareness and donations for those with disabilities. Here, Fields got to put her brand and its cause on display for hundreds to witness.
“Just because they can’t physically walk the runway does not mean that they cannot tear up the runway,” Fields said.
The company is also planning to host an annual fashion show to showcase its products. The fashion show will be held in Indianapolis, and it will feature models with disabilities.
CHEA Clothing is a valuable resource for people with disabilities. The company’s products offer a way for people with disabilities to dress stylishly and comfortably while still allowing for easy access. The company fulfills its mission to help people with disabilities live and be seen in a dignified way.
Fields is passionate about helping people with disabilities. She believes that everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, regardless of their physical abilities.
(Photo provided/CHEA Clothing)
CHEA Clothing adaptive apparel is her way of giving back to the community and helping people with disabilities live their best lives. It is also a loving way to keep Tilas’ memory alive.
“Now, I have all of these Tilas’ running around in his clothes, and that brings me so much joy,” Fields said.
Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at (317)-762-7846 or via e-mail at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham.
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The 25-year-old said the name comes from her friends who would say, “edit me” in reference to Dickerson editing photos of them into graphic designs; Lo is short for Lauren and was her college basketball nickname.
“My mom needed an invitation made. I was the one told to make it. I’ve always had an eye for it. In college, I actually thought I wanted to be an engineer, which didn’t work out with my basketball schedule being a student athlete,” said Dickerson.
“I walked into this art building, and I was so amazed at how it looked, and I said this was going to be my major. So, it’s something that I’ve always had a niche for, and I just fell into it.”
Edit Me Lo
She said this is the first year that her company has taken off with clients trusting her skills for their projects.
“We design to tell the story of a business. I believe that you should be able to look at something and feel something,” said Dickerson.
Her goal is for people to recognize her company as a big design agency. She also wants to give college students the chance to work for her agency to obtain graphic design experience.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
Founder and CEO Katina Washington created SHE.Xperience to provide a platform for new and growing Black- and woman-owned businesses to expand their customer reach, increase revenue and thrive in the industry.
SHE.Xperiences is a nonprofit organization that is credited with opening the first Black-owned department store in Circle City Mall in Downtown Indianapolis. The store, which houses more than 10 Black-owned businesses, not only connects Black women small business owners with “people and tools needed to create, grow and sustain thriving business,” but also invests back into the community.
Aside from the department store, SHE.Xperience also provides venues for events, such as the annual B.L.A.C.K. Rose Gala, where Black women entrepreneurs can come to learn solid business practices, network and circulate revenue throughout the Black community.
Washington also provides masterclass for local entrepreneurs to gain insight, motivation and resources to help build stronger relationships and foundations to move their businesses forward.
The SHE.Xperience Shoppes are located at 838 N. Delaware St. For more information about upcoming events and masterclasses, visit shexperience.org. To get in touch, contact Info@Shexperience.orgor 317.600.3291.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
