There’s nothing like the ambiance of a beautiful candle and a cozy room. Comfort and candles go hand-in-hand. From rustic to luxury, candles are an excellent way to make a house feel like a home. Whether you’re looking for affordable or high-end candles, here are some candle companies curated by HBCU-made chandlers (candle makers).
Pink Flame Scent Co. – Virginia
They say you are bound to feel pretty in pink, right? Well, for Pink Flame Scent Co., being pretty and pink is not up for debate! This candle company brings amazing scents mingled with several, different scent varieties to make any space smell and feel lovely.
Founded by Briana Alston, a Virginia native and graduate of Norfolk State University, Pink Flame Scent Co. is a hand-poured, luxury scented, candle company.
“Going to an HBCU had a major influence on me wanting to be an entrepreneur. I received my Business degree from Norfolk State University and during my time there, I got a chance to network and connect with so many alumni and university supporters in the business field. With me networking with them, they were able to share so much knowledge on how to run a successful business,” Alston explained.
Pink Flame Scent Co. offers 100 percent soy candles and wax melts.
“The inspiration behind me starting my candle company [Pink Flame Scent Co.] was my love for candles and wanting to honor my late Mother who also had a love for candles,” Alston said.
Although she loves candles, she would get fragrance overload and develop headaches when burning candles, a symptom that some people develop from inhaling toxic fumes and ingredients in most commercial candles.
“With me burning candles so much, I noticed I would get headaches or become nauseous when certain candles would burn. After doing research on what was in those candles, I found that I wasn’t the only person getting headaches or becoming nauseous from them….I came up with the idea to make non-toxic candles for people like myself,” Alston said.
Currently, there are five signature scents available for purchase with this company including Mango Magic, Rock the Boat, So Fresh So Clean, Let Me Ease Ya Mind and Grown Man.
You can shop Pink Flame Scent Co. on their website and follow them on Instagram.
Heritage House Candle Co. – Louisiana
Heritage House Candle Co. is pouring more than just great candles! This company is also pouring into HBCUs with their mission to give back. That’s right, according to their website, Heritage House Candle Co. was founded as a creative venture to raise funds for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).
Now, Heritage House Candle Co. has expanded to help support the majority of accredited colleges and universities across the United States. Founded in 2017 by Jasmine Griffin, this artisan chandler believes that there is a strong connection between HBCUs and candles.
“Candles have represented beacons of hope since the beginning of time. Creating a company that encouraged academic excellence was a way to capture the essence of “lighting the way” for others,” Griffin said.
Griffin herself officially attended Southern University A&M for a brief while for advanced entry level classes as part of a college prep school.
“Me growing up on the campus of a historically black college helped to shape me into the person I am today. It gave me a sense of culture and pride. It also allowed me as a young child to be removed from an all-too-common barrier of prejudice that many children of color face,” Griffin told Black Southern Belle.
Heritage House Candle Co. offers candles and wax melts in a variety of scents including Rise Above It, Thriving and Negativity Repellant.
Shop their candles via their website and follow them on Instagram.
Southern Elegance Candle Company
Fayetteville State University alumna D’Shawn Russell took her hobby and turned it into a well-known, southern brand that has been featured on Good Morning America. The brand has also partnered with Tory Burch, Walmart, Macy’s and over 500-plus retail stores, proving that with an HBCU degree, you can go anywhere – even if your degree field differs from your passion!
After being an educator for 22 years, Russell took a leap of faith and began pursuing her candle making career full time. The inspiration for the candle scents are the aromas and the feelings you get when visiting classic, southern cities and the memories of growing up in the country, both of which are near and dear to Russell’s heart and identity. For instance, the candle named Brightleaf is an ode to Russell’s hometown of Durham and features a tobacco scent. Durham opened its first tobacco factory in the 1840s.
Other candles include Carolina Pine, Charleston, High Cotton, Nashville, Williamsburg and New Orleans, plus more.
Shop Southern Elegance Candle Company on their website and follow them on Instagram.
The Filthy Rich Company
For crying out loud, who doesn’t want to be filthy rich? Well, for those striving for wealth but haven’t quite reached that goal, you can always dream!
These divinely scented candles created by a former Morgan State University student, Christina Lyles are the pick-me-up you need to start feeling filthy rich!
“My time spent at Morgan State University was essential to me stepping out and really diving into becoming an entrepreneur. Seeing so many successful people, men and women who looked like me, was inspiring! It put more fuel in the fire to my dreams, knowing that if so many of my peers could be successful, that I could too! Attending MSU brought the hustle out of me…,” Lyles mentioned.
The great thing about this brand is that it offers luxury candles at low cost. Curated in Washington, D.C., some of the classy candles in stock include Villa Vibes, Summer in Miami, 14th & U and more!
“The Filthy Rich Company is a luxury decor brand that I relaunched last year during the pandemic, with candles! I felt like we all needed a pick-me-up and what better way to do that than filling your space with something that smells amazing?! We make luxury candles with clean fragrances and coconut soy wax. We also make fabulous wax melts and diffusers for the home. The inspiration behind the brand was creating very well made, luxury products for everyone, because who doesn’t want to be Filthy Rich?!,” Lyles said.
Shop The Filthy Rich Company on their website and follow them on Instagram.
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