The Emasculation Problem: A$AP Rocky & Rihanna's Vogue Cover
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Celeb Black Women with a Bustling Business

Celeb Black Women with a Bustling Business

Since our new series on entrepreneurship coincide with Women's History month, we decided to take a deep look at Black female celebs who are also businesswomen.

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Rihanna attends the FENTY x PUMA sneaker launch party at NeueHouse Los Angeles on December 18, 2023 in Hollywood, California.
Rihanna attends the FENTY x PUMA sneaker launch party at NeueHouse Los Angeles on December 18, 2023 in Hollywood, California.
Photo: Emma McIntyre/WireImage (Getty Images)

This story is part of our Start. Build. Grow. series, a celebration of Black business.

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Here at The Root, you already know we like to push for everything and everybody Black. And with us just now leaving Black History Month and ushering in Women’s History Month—also known as Black Women’s History Month, we felt it fitting to take a look at some badass Black women who are millionaire (or at least, soon-to-be millionaire) multi-hyphenates and crushing it in the entrepreneurial game.

So sit back, grab your business plan or notebook, and read on!

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Rihanna

Rihanna attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2024 in Paris, France.
Rihanna attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2024 in Paris, France.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis (Getty Images)

Now y’all already know we had to start it off strong with Robyn Rihanna Fenty herself. From Fenty Beauty to Fenty Skin to Savage X Fenty—this mogul has taken the beauty industry by storm and is showing now signs of slowing down any time soon.

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Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Taraji P. Henson attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo: Amy Sussman/WireImage (Getty Images)

Taraji P. Henson alluded to her multiple businesses during her heart-breaking discussion about fair pay with Gayle King back in December. But if you don’t know what she was referring to, she’s talking about her TPH brand of both haircare and bodycare products. (She also makes some pretty fire candles too!)

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Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown attends “Tabitha Brown In Conversation With Kalen Allen” at 92NY on January 31, 2024 in New York City.
Tabitha Brown attends “Tabitha Brown In Conversation With Kalen Allen” at 92NY on January 31, 2024 in New York City.
Photo: John Nacion (Getty Images)

Hello there! You already know we couldn’t make this list without including Auntie Tabitha Brown and her many array of businesses like her Donna’s Recipe haircare line, signature seasoning blends with McCormick and her Kale My Name vegan restaurant.

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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross attends the 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on February 25, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
Tracee Ellis Ross attends the 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on February 25, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic (Getty Images)

One of our favorites, Tracee Ellis Ross’ haircare line Pattern Beauty has risen in the ranks when it comes to popular beauty brands.

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Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union launches a New Adventure Training Program at Great Wolf Lodge on September 14, 2023 in Garden Grove, California.
Gabrielle Union launches a New Adventure Training Program at Great Wolf Lodge on September 14, 2023 in Garden Grove, California.
Photo: Monica Schipper (Getty Images)

Like Taraji and Tracee, Gab Union’s Flawless by GU haircare line has some of the best products in the game. They’ve also launched a skincare brand for babies called Proudly that’s currently being carried in select Targets.

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Serena Williams

Serena Williams

Serena Williams arrives for the presentation of creations by Balmain for the Women Ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2024/2025 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris on February 28, 2024.
Serena Williams arrives for the presentation of creations by Balmain for the Women Ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2024/2025 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris on February 28, 2024.
Photo: Miguel MEDINA / AFP (Getty Images)

Serena Williams may be a champ on the tennis court, but it looks like she’s also killing it in business with Serena Ventures, her venture capital firm, S by Serena clothing line and Serena Williams Jewelry, both brands that she designs for.

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Issa Rae

Issa Rae at the 13th Annual NFL Honors held at Resorts World Theatre on February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Issa Rae at the 13th Annual NFL Honors held at Resorts World Theatre on February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Photo: Christopher Polk/Variety (Getty Images)

Between Issa Rae’s three coffee shops in the Los Angeles area, haircare line Sienna Naturals, and newly created Viarae prosecco—I honestly don’t know when she has time to sleep.

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Cardi B

Cardi B attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Cardi B attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris (Getty Images)

I know Cardi B didn’t think of alcohol-infused whipped cream shots first, but we’d be lying if we said that her Whipshots weren’t popping in these streets.

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Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle

In this image released on November 13, 2023, Patti LaBelle attends the CMT Smashing Glass in Nashville, Tennessee.
In this image released on November 13, 2023, Patti LaBelle attends the CMT Smashing Glass in Nashville, Tennessee.
Photo: Tammie Arroyo/Variety (Getty Images)

Whether you enjoy a Patti Pie or one of her other delicacies, Patti LaBelle’s food empire is one that’s been growing for years and getting better with each and every product.

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Beyonce

Beyoncé celebrates the launch of her hair care line, CÉCRED, with an intimate gathering at The Revery LA on February 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Beyoncé celebrates the launch of her hair care line, CÉCRED, with an intimate gathering at The Revery LA on February 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo: Julian Dakdouk/Parkwood Media (Getty Images)

While the reviews may be mixed about Bey’s new haircare line, she’s also got her new perfume Ce Noir and Ivy Park collections to quiet the naysayers.

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Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige attends the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards at American Museum of Natural History on November 06, 2023 in New York City.
Mary J. Blige attends the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards at American Museum of Natural History on November 06, 2023 in New York City.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris (Getty Images)

Though we’re all still waiting on Mary J. Blige to bless us with her own thigh-high boots collection, she’s given us her wine brand Sun Goddes to bide the time.

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Sabrina Elba

Sabrina Elba

Sabrina Dhowre Elba poses on the red carpet upon arrival at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in London, on February 18, 2024.
Sabrina Dhowre Elba poses on the red carpet upon arrival at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in London, on February 18, 2024.
Photo: Adrian DENNIS / AFP (Getty Images)

Another fairly new product, S’ABLE Labs Skincare is already taking the beauty industry by storm. (And it doesn’t hurt that Sabrina Elba and Idris Elba are the faces of it and behind it.)

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Lizzo

Lizzo attends Femme It Forward Give Her FlowHERS Gala 2023 at The Beverly Hilton on November 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
Lizzo attends Femme It Forward Give Her FlowHERS Gala 2023 at The Beverly Hilton on November 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
Photo: Robin L Marshall/WireImage (Getty Images)

Did somebody say “yippy” or Yitty—Lizzo’s shapewear line with Fabletics. It doesn’t matter, you should check the products out anyway.

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Kandi Burruss

Kandi Burruss

Kandi Burruss attends the world premiere of Prime Video’s “The Underdoggs” at the Culver Theater on January 23, 2024 in Culver City, California.
Kandi Burruss attends the world premiere of Prime Video’s “The Underdoggs” at the Culver Theater on January 23, 2024 in Culver City, California.
Photo: David Livingston (Getty Images)

In addition to Old Lady Gang, Kandi Burruss is also owner Blaze Steak and Seafood in Atlanta as well as her sex toy company Bedroom Kandi.

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