The making of Black Panther Strong beauty products is inspired by and made for the Black community. There is a rich history behind the origins of this brand and an even stronger story of success in their expansion, as a Black-owned manufacturing company.
Los Angeles Watts Times had an exclusive interview with the Vice President of Sales of Marketing, Richard Omordia. He explained the origin of its name stemmed from the energy surrounding Black Panther movements that took place around the 1960s. Omordia painted a rich history of growth and beauty found with organic products for Black people.
Black Panther Strong products are sold in over 3,000 outlets and beauty supply locations in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Africa. Black Panther Strong produces over 200 different items including vegan edge control, styling gel, hair fertilizer and chocolate body wash. All of their products are made in-house. Their strongest product line is their Black Panther Strong edge and braid control.
Omordia confirmed that the manufacturing firm also manages the production of goods that are sold in Target, Ulta, and Sephora. Reflecting on its success in expansion, Omordia stated,
“They know us for high-quality products, and we been around for a long time—so we have all of these relationships with a lot of influencers in the industry.”
Black Panther Strong received its first sale in 1991, as Los Angeles-based brand, Black Panther Strong has been able to stay in the same location in Gardena, California for over 25 years, only expanding in spaces around that area.
Omordia credits its success to longevity and product diversity. He elaborated on the process and the details that go into having a state-of-the-art lab with in-house chemists. Omordia continued to outline the diligence behind operating a business on this scale. “One step at a time, putting in really long hours of hard work—concentrating on exceeding the client’s expectation,” Omordia said.
Considering the impact that Black Panther Strong has on the collective community, Omordia admitted the rarity of having a manufacturer that is homegrown in addition to being operated by Black people. “It’s a largely untapped market and we have a lot of room to grow,” he continued, “what people may not realize is that we (Black Panther Strong) may be one of the last product manufacturers—most are overseas, and probably made in China.”
Omordia shared those products sold to Black people have even a lesser chance of being made by their community. According to Omordia, the organization incasing Black Panther Strong is one of the last Black-owned manufacturing companies in the Western United States, possibly the whole nation.
“That’s what keeps us going,” Omordia continued, “It’s kind of a dying breed, they are pushing us out of the industry, and this is the way to strengthen ourselves and keep going that will be great.”
Follow Black Panther Strong on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/blackpantherstrong/, and online to shop for the holidays https://www.blackpantherstrong.com.
