This year, MadameNoire’s ‘Women To Know’ issue feels particularly profound. Titled ‘Founding Mothers,’ it goes beyond celebrating business success to honor the incredible women who are simultaneously building empires and nurturing the next generation. These are the Black women beauty founders doing the divine, often exhausting, work of balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood with intention and grace.
The Intersection of Beauty, Motherhood, and Legacy
MadameNoire has always championed Black women who make a difference, but the 2026 edition dives deeper, exploring the brilliance found at the intersection of the beauty industry and motherhood. Building a business is a full-time calling, and so is being a mother. Doing both requires something truly special – a divine blend of passion, resilience, and purpose.
This year’s features shine a spotlight on women like Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens (founder of Camille Rose), and Ashunta Sheriff. These women are not just creating products; they are building legacies, demonstrating that love, lineage, and business can beautifully coexist.
Stories of Resilience, Healing, and Purpose
Ashunta Sheriff defines beauty as resilience, a sentiment that echoes through her journey from a young girl inspired by her mother’s love for makeup to a powerhouse founder. Her work is a ministry, a reminder that Black women are the blueprint for innovation and culture. “Makeup was my ministry,” she shares, emphasizing that her work is about purpose beyond products.
Danessa Myricks’ story is one of transformation and healing. She speaks candidly about the beauty industry not always loving her back, yet she persevered. Her brand now stands as a symbol of freedom and self-acceptance. “Beauty to me is absolute freedom… allowing the world to see every single part of you just as you are,” she explains.
From Kitchen Necessity to Multimillion-Dollar Brand
Janell Stephens, founder of Camille Rose, started her journey in her kitchen, driven by the need to solve problems for her family. What began as a necessity born from motherhood blossomed into a multimillion-dollar brand rooted in wellness, intention, and love. Even amidst her success, she reminds us to pause and acknowledge our achievements: “Stop and see what you really done. Pat yourself on the back.”
What unites these incredible women is their clarity of purpose. They know why they started, who they are doing it for, and understand that legacy is intentionally built through sacrifice and unwavering belief. They embody the idea that one can be both soft and powerful, rewriting the rules for themselves and teaching future generations to do the same.
- Celebrating Black women beauty founders who are also mothers.
- Highlighting resilience, purpose, and the creation of legacy.
- Featuring entrepreneurs like Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens, and Ashunta Sheriff.
- Emphasizing the power of intention in building both family and business.
As you read through the ‘Women To Know 2026’ stories, how do you see yourself reflected in these journeys? Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or pursuing your own vision, remember your power to be a ‘Founding Mother.’ What will you birth into the world? Share your aspirations in the comments below!
