Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Bryant.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ebony. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story started after asking myself how I can do my part to circulate the black dollar.
I realized a lot of the money I spend goes to clothing and beauty but almost none of that money was being spent on black-owned brands. I couldn’t even name more than a couple of black-owned brands!
So that’s how EBONY/ORO was born – I felt like our community needed a space that made it easy to buy black in retail.
The name EBONY/ORO stems from my name, Ebony, which is also used as a representation for Black. Oro is the word for gold in Spanish. EBONY/ORO = Black/Gold. EBONY/ORO illuminates blackness.
It’s important for me to not only expand the reach of black-owned brands but use EBONY/ORO as a platform to underscore my community’s value in the retail space. We have strong voices and I want them amplified.
Has it been a smooth road?
Well, the first struggle was finding the brands themselves. There are so many amazing black-owned brands but no one knew about them! What made this easier was the movement to support black-owned businesses that happened in early June. That brought a lot of amazing designers and brands to the forefront.
The biggest struggle, though, was me. It was hard for me to put out EBONY/ORO because of insecurity that I veiled as perfectionism. In the end I had to show up for myself and decide to just DO IT. It’s okay if it’s not perfect, it’s okay if it still needs some work. I made myself put it out despite those things and I’ll thrive because of it. I kind of had to reprogram my mind in a way.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with EBONY/ORO – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
What I’m most proud of and what sets EBONY/ORO apart is its mission to make black brands more accessible.
EBONY/ORO was born out of a need and that need was underscored after recent current events. We needed a platform that amplified and highlighted black creators and voices and made it easy for others to buy black. We matter. Our dollars matter.
So while everyone, no matter who they are can join the community, shop, and share in the experience, everything you see on EBONY/ORO will be by someone black.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love LA. I actually just bought a duplex in South LA just this year but I’m originally born and raised in Altadena. Moving from the literal mountains to the heart of the city was somewhat of a culture shock! The activity at all times of the day and night, parking (or lack thereof), and the NOISE were all things I had to get used to but the move has given me a deeper love of the culture of both areas.
Contact Info:
- Website: ebonyoro.co
- Phone: 6265363007
- Email: shopebonyoro@gmail.com
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