Maya Angelou
Our story
The Grand Rex cinema, in Paris, hosts the 7th edition of
the Brown Sugar Days, this event that celebrates Afro-
Americans
Cascading laughter, delirious crowds, wax clothes and jewelry
ethnic galore, the mythical hall of the Boulevard
Poissonnière becomes for two days the essential place
of the Parisian Afrosphere.
Fast forward…
The Fertile City, a former freight station transformed
into a trendy and eco-responsible city, is chosen for
the 2019 edition of the Afrodescendance festival.
Taking place over 3 days, the event revolves around 3
grands thèmes : l’histoire, la gastronomie et l’entrepreneuriat.
Collective fervour, Burna Boy in the background, the black and mixed population
walks through the many workshops with
happiness and delight.
March 2020. Residence Le Carmel. Chartres
The days go by and repeat themselves. Confined,
Theo devours African culinary and wellness videos on YouTube.
"Wèèè lemongrass tea, the taste of if hey!", comments a
netizen apparently nostalgic of the authentic flavors
of his childhood in Africa.
A feeling shared by hundreds of others.
Spectators of this desire for cultural reappropriation, Annette and Théo, brothers and sisters and both in their thirties, decided to be the actors by proposing a set of products and services that promotes the Afro-Caribbean cultural richness.
Our values
Inclusion
Solidarity
SHARING
Our farmers
Our farmers have talent!
Skilled farmers
Since 2020, we have been working with a network of skilled farmers. 90% of them are enlisted in small agricultural cooperatives to ensure a qualitative and structured work.
Strictly selected products
The products are strictly selected, tested and approved by us.
Raw products
We make sure that they keep their raw character and that they are in no way refined.
Fair Trade and Ethics
Finally, all our farmers receive regular and fair pay.
Our commitment
Natural Garden is a women’s cooperative specializing in natural and artisanal cosmetic products.
We are deeply convinced that beyond the lucrative aspect of a company, a company also builds a human, social and environmental project.
If our mission is to make people discover black cultures, then it is our responsibility to perpetuate and maintain these rich cultures.
That is why we are committed to supporting the sustainability of Natural Garden by building strong partnerships.
Our founders
Théodore Minka
Co-founder of Blackissime
A graduate of a business school, he is the finance specialist of Blackissime. After many years spent in the service of large multinationals, this former expatriate executive in Africa is embarking on the entrepreneurial adventure out of passion and ideology.
His motto : we are children of Africa, participate in its development.
He particularly likes singing and flea markets.
Annette Minka
Co-founder of Blackissime
Holder of a master's degree in foreign languages, a master's degree in journalism and an MBA in communication and media relations, Annette embarked on the entrepreneurial adventure to bring people together and introduce the uninitiated to the African culture and values that have forged her character.
She is passionate about reading, film, music and travel.
