Shontay Lundy, founder and CEO of the only fragrance-free, melanin reinforcing SPF 30 sunscreen moisturizer – Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS), refused to let the pandemic slow down her progress.
Black Girl Sunscreen was conceived on a beautiful day in Miami, Florida, out of the need for a sunscreen that was natural, white-residue free and one specifically made for melanated people of color. Shontay knew that she was not the only Black girl who enjoys the sun but was having issues with the limiting sunscreens that were on the market that did not cater to Black people and people of color. She knew from her experience and those of her peers that the one-size-fits-all pedagogy when it comes to sunscreen was not cutting it, and because we do love the beach and need the sun all over our bodies – without harming our skin, someone would have to do something about it, and she thought, “why not me?!”
Black Girl Sunscreen has since taken over 200 + Target stores (each with a shelf in the sunscreen section) here in the United States of America, and this 2020 has launched internationally in the highly populated, melanin rich country of Nigeria, Africa.
Yes, although Covid-19 is rearing its ugly head all around the globe, Shontay is determined to stay on track with her goal of getting Black Girl Sunscreen within reach of all melanated people throughout the world. And so this summer, during Covid-19, Shontay and her team implemented an “all hands-on deck” mentality to ensure the company continue to meet its goals and thrive. As she told Dominique Fluker at Forbes Women, “I told the team we need to change the narrative and be very nimble to survive this.”
Shontay and her Black Girl Sunscreen brand is doing better than surviving, they are thriving. Kudos to Shontay!
You can find her amazing, natural, non-white residue, SPF 30 melanin reinforcing Black girl sunscreen in one of the many Target stores here in the U.S. or on Black Girl Sunscreen website.
Black girls rock! Black women rock! Black people rock, period! This is another genius idea that an extraordinary sista has brought to fruition. We are so intuitive, talented, gifted, and just all around creative. What would the world be like without us? Don’t even want to think about it! Black people, be proud of who you are, stop covering over your beauty with wigs, weaves and bleaching cream, and love on yourself. Everyone else is trying to be us, but they do it in such a low-toned way we don’t get it. They tan, loc their hair, cornrow and twist their hair, and try very hard to mimic our dance moves and everything we do. I’m so high on melanin and rooting for everybody Black. Let’s love and support each other 🙂
BTW Love this sunscreen already! Heading over to get some now.
Thanks for sharing this. I could really use some. You know I use to wonder why people say that Black skin does not need sunscreen when clearly too much sun can damage any skin type. Yes, Black can withstand the sun much more because of the melanin, but too much sun does do damage. Well, I never use to wear any until just about a few years ago and although they aren’t perfect, I find that my skin doesn’t get cracked or ached nearly as much as it use to when I spent extended amounts of time in the sun.
If this product is any better than the ones I currently use, Ms. Shontay has another customer for life.
And you know what? I just recently started to make an effort to #supportblackbusinesses, so this is right on time.