Meet Robiar Smith, a native of Southside Chicago and the CEO of R.B. Premium Products, which produces the popular bug spray product called Bug Strike. Her product is the first and only Black woman-owned pest control product to grace the shelves of Home Depot stores.Growing up, Smith's parents instilled in her the value of education and hard work. She followed their advice, earning multiple degrees in Business and Information Technology and climbing the corporate ladder. However, in 2015, she felt the need for more.In 2016, she decided to enter the pest control industry after the encouragement of her father, Michael Benton, who had been a pest control technician in Chicago for decades. She took the extermination exam and passed it after a few attempts. She then founded R.B. Pest Solutions, and her passion for pest control ignited."When we started the company, and we'd go out on jobs, people were surprised to see me actually doing the work," she told the Chicago Defender.Over seven years, R.B. Pest Solutions has become the fastest-growing pest control company in the Midwest, securing government, city, commercial, restaurant, and facilities contracts. They're expanding beyond Chicago into Indiana and planning a third location in the city.What's more, she launched R.B. Premium Products, including a bug spray called "Bug Strike," which is now available at Home Depot. This achievement made her the only Black woman-owned product on Home Depot's shelves, and it even gained recognition at the BET Awards.For Smith, this partnership with Home Depot is more than just business; it's about leaving a legacy and inspiring young Black girls from urban areas. She's also passing on her knowledge to her daughters, ensuring that they can continue to nurture the business.Despite challenges in a male-dominated industry, Smith's determination to create a seat at the table has inspired others. She's [...]

Meet Glynnis and Shelly Smith, the dynamic sister duo behind Meme Natural You, a Black-owned line of all-natural, plant-based products that are making waves in the world of textured hair care. Based in Kansas City, Kansas, they are now known for their latest creation, the Nutritional Hair Growth & Scalp Oil, but their journey is a remarkable tale of determination, dedication, and cultural preservation.The Smith sisters embarked on their path to success in 2018 when they founded their company. Their mission was clear from the start: to address the unique hair care needs of Black women and transform the world of textured hair care. Their products, now widely used in hospitals, have made a significant impact on the diverse needs and environments of children. The Smith sisters spent seven years owning a beauty supply store in 2000, followed by over two decades of operating Braid Heavens, a hair salon that became a local legend. Their stories have been featured in prestigious magazines such as Allure, Essence, KC Studio, American Salon, and various local media outlets. Now, their latest creation, the Nutritional Hair Growth & Scalp Oil, stands as a testament to their commitment to serving their community's hair care needs. It's not just a product. "It pays homage to our cultural roots," says Shelly. "This unique formula is designed to stimulate hair follicles, promoting growth, thickness, and hair strand fortitude." The motivation behind this visionary product is deeply rooted in Glynnis and Shelly's connection to their native culture in Guyana, South America. They recognized the profound need for a culturally-inspired hair care solution, resulting in a harmonious blend of natural and organic ingredients. Glynnis and Shelly, the driving forces behind Meme Natural You, extend a warm invitation to everyone to join them on this incredible journey to healthier, more vibrant [...]

For nearly three decades now, Derrick McCray has served as the CEO of McCray's Backyard BBQ and Seafood, a Black family-owned restaurant in West Palm Beach, Florida. His great-uncle, Jay Harvey, opened the restaurant almost 90 years ago in 1934. As both CEO and pitmaster, Derrick has worked hard to preserve the restaurant using his family's rich traditions and flavors that have delighted patrons for decades."Uncle Jay brought my father up in the barbecue business and made him a barbecue extraordinaire," he told CNBC. "He was the barbecue man. And he was pretty much the only black restaurant business in his area during that time."In the midst of historical challenges, from segregation to the civil rights movement, the restaurant served as a safe haven for people to enjoy a good meal and companionship. Over the years, the restaurant stood strong against several challenges, even threats from the Klan. But the "war on drugs" in 1971 took a toll on the community and the business.Derrick stepped up to restore the family business, following in his father and uncle's footsteps. But his journey to becoming CEO was not without twists and turns.While studying business management at Florida A&M University, an HBCU, he was sidetracked by the life of a student-athlete. He had to leave college earlier than planned, but he learned to hustle during this time, selling hotdogs and even starting a magazine with a friend. He also played professional football but it was a career cut short because of his off-field activities. Those setbacks eventually led him back to the family BBQ business.Despite the changing times, McCray's Backyard BBQ and Seafood continues to cook with open pit wood, preserving the authentic flavors passed down through generations. Their signature barbecue sauce and desserts reflect the family's cherished recipes.The restaurant's success is evident, [...]

(Black PR Wire) Two Clark Atlanta University Art and Fashion students were selected for the Fulton County Fashion Art Culture & Education (FACE) initiative in Paris presented by Noir for the Global Master Class as part of the Paris Experience, a [...]

(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK, NY – The BET Media Group (a unit of Paramount, NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), the world’s largest media company dedicated to empowering the Black community and championing Black culture, today announced that Tiyale [...]

(Black PR Wire) Condé Nast recently named Chioma Nnadi as head of editorial content, British Vogue. Nnadi has spent thirteen years at Vogue, where she started as a writer, rose to the post of fashion news director, and most [...]

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