ORS Haircare Partners With HBCU Culture Shop
ORS™ Haircare and the HBCU Culture Shop have launched a limited-edition collaboration. The partnership aims to celebrate the community and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities through co-branded products.
The collaboration features limited-edition packaging on select ORS Olive Oil products, including their popular Edge Control, Creamy Aloe Shampoo, and Replenishing Conditioner. The redesigned products, featuring bold and pride-inspired elements, are available nationwide at major retailers like Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. HBCU Culture Shop was founded in 2017 by Dainelle Riley, a Florida A&M University graduate, who was frustrated by the lack of fashionable apparel available for her alma mater. Her brand, which creates 100% original designs in-house, aims to provide an outlet for students and alumni to express their pride. The partnership addresses a significant gap in the collegiate apparel market, which generates over $4.6 billion annually. Historically, HBCUs have been underrepresented in this market; HBCU Culture Shop helps address this by paying 7-15% of certified sales back to the institutions in royalties. ORS Haircare (formerly Organic Root Stimulator) was founded in 1996 by Gary Gardner to serve health-conscious, multi-cultural consumers with natural products. While the company was Black-founded, it is now owned by Dabur, a multinational company based in India, following a sale in 2010. This initiative is part of a larger trend of corporate partnerships with HBCUs. Though these universities make up only 3% of U.S. colleges, they produce nearly 20% of all Black graduates and contribute $14.8 billion annually to the national economy. Beyond the product line, the collaboration includes plans for an HBCU Tour and student-focused programming. These events will be designed to provide students with knowledge and confidence in self-care as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
