12 Black Founders You Should Know
Written by the VEGPRENEUR Team
Black entrepreneurs have been trailblazers in shaping industries, breaking barriers, and driving innovation. From food to beauty, these founders have built impactful businesses that challenge the status quo and inspire future generations. As we celebrate Black History Month, here are 12 Black founders you should know—visionaries who have left a lasting mark on the world of vegan business and beyond.
Anna Cobb
Anna Cobb is transforming the energy drink market with Rejuvenation, a non-carbonated, plant-based alternative made from six clean, natural ingredients. Based in Washington D.C., her brand delivers sustained energy without the crash, perfect for health-conscious consumers. Check out her feature on our Founder Spotlight!
Kareem Cook and Claude Tellis
Kareem Cook and Claude Tellis began their mission for healthier communities by launching Healthy Body Products, a vending company that helped ban junk food in Los Angeles public schools. In 2013, they partnered with John Lewis to launch Naturade offering delicious, plant-based nutrition with a mission to save lives.
W.E. and Dominique Da'Cruz
Husband-and-wife duo W.E. and Dominique Da'Cruz are redefining plant-based protein with The Mushroom Angel Company, crafting alternative meats made from mushrooms. Their products offer the texture of meat with the taste of veggies, bringing a unique twist to plant-based eating. Check out W.E.’s feature on our Founder Spotlight!
Tinia Pina
Tinia Pina is leading the way in sustainable agriculture with Re-Nuble, an NYC-based ag-tech company that transforms food waste into innovative solutions for soilless farming using Organic Cycling Science™ technology. Be sure to check out her feature on our Founder Spotlight!
Jerrell Obee
Jerrell Obee founded Jerrell's BETR BRGR in New York City to fill a gap in the market for late-night, fast-casual, plant-based dining. Jerrell promotes the idea of "eat better, do better" through a menu featuring Impossible patties, vegan cheese, grilled onions, waffle fries, chili fries, and shakes. His Black-owned vegan burger spot opened in August 2021, offering a delicious alternative for those embracing plant-based living.
Kesha Stickland
Kesha Stickland and her husband, Dan Gardner, founded The Mushroom Meat Co. in 2021 after embracing plant-based eating in their own lives. Starting in their home kitchen and garage fermentation lab, they set out to make plant-based diets more accessible. Today, they help food producers offer delicious, sustainable, and versatile mushroom-based meats that fit nearly any diet, from vegan to paleo and beyond. Find Kesha on our Founder Spotlight!
Chauniqua Major-Louis
Chauniqua Major-Louis launched Major’s Project Pop to create a healthier, organic, and vegan kettle corn option made without additives. Inspired by her nieces and her love for food, she crafted a “healthy-ish” snack she could confidently share. Made in small batches in Orlando, Florida, her flavorful popcorn is available for nationwide shipping. Find more about Chauniqua on our Founder Spotlight!
Dominick Thompson
Dominick Thompson first launched Crazies and Weirdos to celebrate diverse body types through fashion. In 2019, he expanded his impact with Eat What Elephants Eat, a nutrition and wellness program making plant-based living accessible to all. Now, with the release of his 2025 cookbook, Eat What Elephants Eat, featuring 70 plant-based recipes, Dominick continues to help others learn not just what to eat, but how to thrive on a vegan diet.
Samia Gore
Inspired by her own wellness journey, Samia Gore founded Body Complete Rx to create plant-based, vegan supplements while ensuring Black women were represented in the industry. As the first Black-owned supplement brand carried by The Vitamin Shoppe, BCRX offers cruelty-free, natural products designed for a complete approach to wellness. Learn more about Samia on our Founder Spotlight and Mentor Spotlight!
Rianna Young
Rianna Young founded Happy Hounds CBD to provide pets with natural, vegan relief from pain and anxiety—while keeping animals out of pet food. Inspired by personal experiences, she combined her passion for service with high-quality, plant-based CBD treats and tinctures to help pets live happier, healthier lives. Find Rianna’s feature on our Founder Spotlight!
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