Uncovering The Business Of Black Beauty Supply [VIDEO]

The Black beauty supply industry rakes in billions of dollars every year, but African Americans only own a fraction of the businesses within in industry. According to the Beauty Supply Institute, the beauty supply industry generates $15 billion per year, 96% of the customers are Black and less than 3% of ownership within the industry is Black.

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Roland Martin talks with filmmaker, Aron Ranen; Devin Robinson, founder of the Beauty Supply Institute; Princess Hilland Kelly Williams co-owners of Ambiance Beauty Supply about how African Americans are being locked out of the beauty supply industry. Listen to their entire conversation below.

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Comment by Rhasson Bey on September 24, 2014 at 2:07pm: @V.I. it's all of our faults. "Blacks" just go out and buy. They don't research companies. They don't invest in "our" neighborhood businesses. But they will spend on meaningless "keep up with the Joneses" articles. They can't even embrace their own culture. Not this European ish. Most don't know their history in this world, let alone this country.

Comment by Roots aka TJ What De Ras on September 21, 2014 at 4:46am: Dam I'm in the wrong business.

Comment by V.I. on September 20, 2014 at 3:24pm: So who's fault is it? We need to get over the point of pointing fingers and not blaming ourselves. If you feel so strong about it then open up your own business. Why is it always someone else's fault. If you want to start a business then no one is holding you back. Just make sure you have good credit and do your research because it's not as easy as it may seem.

Comment by Keith E. on September 20, 2014 at 3:05pm: Hey Toya, it's Keith I have been saying the same thing for years. I finally just got tired. The more I tried to educate stylist and clients, the dinner they made me feel..

Comment by khapierre on September 20, 2014 at 11:10am: Bottom line black women need to be happy with their own hair relaxed and natural. They only thing I see wrong in all of this is the amount of money and effort black women put into the weave industry it's speaks volume of self dislike. I'm a 30 year old grad student who just moves to Atlanta form NYC to finish my masters and the amount of weave these women where out here is the most I've every seem. Many of them have true beautiful African features and still go and put allll that straight long hair on their head and looks ridiculous. Period instead of complaining about unnecessary stuff how about we start teaching our society that they alone with out all that fake hair is enough. I went natural a few years ago due to a healthier lifestyle, but I am all for relaxers if that's what people choose to do and even extensions for the harsher months, but that weave crap is just not something I can hang with.... A few pieces for a night out maybe to give someone some volume, but that's it. The rest is too much. There is an underlining to this story and it's not the hair industry..... It's black women not bing able to be ok with who they are when they look into a mirror. Thank god for the amazing black women in my life who taught me better. I've chosen to do my thesis on this matter!! Which is why I am responding to this post

Comment by gmich007 on September 20, 2014 at 1:48am: It's sad, but we don't support each other anyway, and when we do, we expect a discount. In addition to this, when you go into these stores, the Asians can't assist us with what's best for our hair. They go by what everyone else is buying. They refuse to hire beauty consultants who can give proper assistance because it's all about selling and making money. They don't give a s*** about what's best for their customers.
We really do need to do better for ourselves. We are the bread and butter for every race except our own. Sad!

Comment by rastafari on September 20, 2014 at 1:42am: ...u can not want to be Afrocentric with an Eurocentric image!

Comment by latoya on September 19, 2014 at 10:12pm: I am the owner of divas wigs and waves beauty supply in coram ny it is a business were we are not easily let into which is a down right shame. I recently went to a trade show and it may have been 7 African American people there. As a people who wear this we should really look at this and do something about this this is called red lining.