The work and voices of black activists, black-led organizations, and businesses in the period space are undeniably essential and valuable. We stand in solidarity with black activists and black-led organizations and businesses and strongly oppose their exploitation and silencing.
We have shared here some of the black-led organizations and businesses in the menstrual equity space. We encourage everyone to support these organizations and businesses and commit to educating themselves not only by exploring the work of those listed below, but also by continuously seeking to find and learn more about black-led organizations and businesses in the period space.
Black-led Organizations for Menstrual Equity
Founded in 2014 by Ileri Jaiyeoba, a Master’s student at Harvard and a recent graduate of NYU, the Code Red Collective is a co-powering organization that promotes period wellness and aims to de-stigmatize periods through educational initiatives, distribution of products to those in need, and their advocacy program at universities and colleges across the U.S. (IG: @coderedco) (Twitter: @coderedco)
Founded in 2017 by Lamanda Ballard, a digital marketing specialist, Flo Code is a support organization and leader in the Austin community. Flo Code has provided over 330,000 menstrual products to over 70 organizations, schools, shelters, and natural disaster victims in central Texas. Flo Code also focuses on health, education, and social injustice in the Austin community and fights the stigma around menstruation through education, awareness, and advocacy. Donate here! (IG: @flocodexo) (Twitter: @FloCodeXO)
Founded in 2015 by Chelsea VonChaz, a former stylist, and her mother Cherryl Warner, #HappyPeriod fights stigma and spreads awareness of menstrual health through social media. #HappyPeriod also distributes menstrual products to menstruators who are homeless, low-income, and/or living in poverty. #HappyPeriod is also currently developing a new curriculum and program for youth that is focused on period health and self-efficacy. Donate here! (IG: @wearehappyperiod) (Twitter: @HappyPeriodOrg)
Founded in 2015 by Miyoshi Days, a creative business innovator, Hate the Dot is a woman-owned company that provides period self-care kits with products like 100% organic cotton tampons and pads and soothing teas. Hate the Dot also provides menstrual products to menstruators who are homeless or low-income. Donate here!
(IG: @hatethedot) (Twitter: @hatethedot)
Founded in 2017 by Jane Henry, a student at the African Leadership Academy, Once-A-Month is an organization based in South Africa that provides menstrual products to menstruators in need and empowers students and businesses to fight for menstrual equity and educate their communities about periods. Once-A-Month also runs the Cloth Pad Project, which aims to fight period poverty in a more eco-friendly way by producing cloth pads and teaching menstruators how to make their own. Donate here! (IG: @oam_global)
Founded in 2015 by Jewel Addy, the Director of Communications at Whitman-Walker Health, and Eva Woolridge, a photographer, the Red Dot campaign distributes products to schools, shelters, halfway homes, and victims of natural disasters. Red Dot aims to educate communities and destigmatize periods through public events that combine art and comedy to raise awareness for the issue of menstrual equity. Donate here! (IG: @reddotcampaign) (Twitter: @reddotcampaign)
Founded in 2019 by Magdalene Barjolo and Alexandria Ligon, recent graduates of St. John’s University, Sending Her Essentials Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing menstrual products to young women and girls nationally and globally. In addition to distribution, SHE works towards menstrual equity through destigmatization of periods, education, and advocacy. SHE also equips young girls with business skills to produce their own income in a safe and sustainable way. Donate here! (IG: @sendingheressentials)
Founded in 2019 by Maia St. Aude, a 22-year-old activist based in Atlanta, the She Talks Movement is a community of empowered women that creates spaces for women to tell their stories and exercise their freedom. She Talks Movement is committed to redefining the narrative of womanhood and being a change agent in the community. (IG: @shetalksmovement)
Black-Owned Period Product Businesses
Founded in 2014 by Beatrice Dixon, the Honey Pot provides all-natural menstrual hygiene products, as well as other natural care products. The Honey Pot also partners with Happy Period to provide menstrual products to those in need. (@thehoneypotco)
Founded in 2013 by Davielle Jackson, Femi Secrets provides all-natural menstrual hygiene products, including their signature Pretty Panty, an underwear with a built-in pad that prevents leaks even during heavy flow. Femi Secrets also runs the #SavetheVagina campaign, which aims to educate people about the importance of using natural, chemical-free products. (@femisecrets)
Founded in 2016 by Arion Long, Femly provides natural, eco-friendly menstrual hygiene products, including organic cotton tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and more. Femly also currently sells KN95 face masks and cloth face masks. (@femlybox)
Founded in 2019 by Nerissa Olugbala, Nene Fem Health is based in Miami and provides vegan-friendly, organic hygiene products, such as menstrual cups, and other wellness products, many of which are handmade by Olugbala herself. Nene Fem Health aims to empower women and promote health, such as through youth workshops to empower and educate teens about feminine hygiene, healthy eating, exercising, etc. (@nenefemhealth)
Founded in 2015 by Crystal Etienne, Ruby Love (formerly known as PantyProp) provides period kits, as well as leak-proof period underwear, swimwear, activewear, and sleepwear that can be worn without tampons or menstrual cups. Ruby Love also provides leak-proof briefs. (@shoprubylove)