It’s been 10 years since Beyoncé stopped the world with the release of her culture-shifting track, Formation. What became a prelude to a decade of political unrest also served as a powerful mantra for women around the world—a call to rise, build, and elevate. During a time of global evolution, Black women were hard at work building their empires. In tribute to this audacious anthem, this is a highlight of the women who dreamed it, worked hard, and now own it—proving just what a difference 10 years can make.

Olamide Olowe, Topicals Founder and CEO

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a GRWM routine that doesn’t feature a Topicals product. But in 2016—long before the pink eye patches took over the internet—Topicals founder Olamide Olowe was a UCLA student in search of a skin cream that worked for her. When she couldn’t find a product that effectively treated darker skin tones, she set out to fill the gap in the beauty industry.

Today, Topicals is the fastest-growing skincare brands, having raised more than $22 million in funding. True to Olowe’s mission, the brand caters to all skin tones with products designed to manage diverse skin conditions. It has since expanded internationally, with a presence in the UK, Canada, France, and Nigeria.

Morgan DeBaun, Blavity Founder and CEO

Don’t be fooled by the smile—Morgan DeBaun has always meant business. By 2016, she had already secured $1 million in funding for Blavity, a digital ground zero for Black millennials. Despite pressure from Silicon Valley veterans, DeBaun remained committed to building Blavity her way.

…and it paid off. Blavity Inc. is now valued at $48 million and has expanded to include additional brands such as Travel Noire, Home & Texture, 21Ninety, and AfroTech—the largest Black tech conference in the country.

DeBaun also released her first book, Rewrite Your Rules, in 2025.

Amira Rasool, The Folklore Founder and CEO

In 2016, Rasool was exploring South Africa as part of a study abroad program. She returned to the states dreaming of the fashions she found in South Africa. When Rasool realized there was no way to get those brands at home, a new mission was born. She began building a digital platform to bring native fashions to her closet and the rest of the world.

Today, Rasool’s retail platform, The Folklore, has secured 6.2M in funding and continues to expand its services to support global fashion brands. The Folklore connects diverse brands to capital, retailers, and supply chain partners, helping them scale internationally.

ChiChi Eburu, Juvia’s Place CEO and Founder

Fed up with makeup products that always fell short, Eburu became her own solution by creating a makeup line that accurately amplified the beauty of dark skin beauty. With a $2,000 investment, she launched Juvia’s Place, a bold makeup palette inspired by Africa’s rich heritage and vibrant culture.

Today, Juvia’s Place is a household name, recognized as an essential makeup brand for women of color. Its seemingly overnight success has continued with placements in major retailers such as Ulta, Target, and Sephora.

Patiently waiting to see the brilliance this next decade brings.

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