Meet The Founder
Cornell McBride Jr.
Founder
Known For
Founder profile coming soon. Cornell McBride Jr. founded Design Essentials in 1990.
The Story
Cornell McBride Jr. built Design Essentials at the intersection of Black barbershop culture and university-level chemistry, with research ties to Tuskegee University's cosmetic science program. The brand has served professional stylists since 1990 and remains one of the most trusted names in salon-grade textured hair care.
Curated by BLK Society
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Discovery · Hair Care
IF YOU LOVE DESIGN,
YOU'LL LOVE THESE.
Young King Hair Care
by Stefan Miller & Cora Miller
Premium natural hair care formulated specifically for boys and young men of color. Stefan and Cora Miller built Young King after struggling to find products for their son's hair -- now stocked at Target, CVS, and Walmart.
Alaffia
by Olowo-n'djo Tchala
Founded by Olowo-n'djo Tchala -- born and raised in Togo -- and Prairie Rose Hyde, Alaffia is built on fair trade shea butter sourced directly from a women's cooperative in West Africa. Every purchase funds community projects: schools, maternal care, and bicycle ambulances. Available at Target.
Adwoa Beauty
by Julian Addo
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