ORS Haircare Partners with HBCUs
In celebration of Black History Month, ORS™ Haircare has partnered with HBCU Culture Shop to launch a limited-edition product line. The collaboration aims to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities through commemorative products and educational programs for students and alumni.
The limited-edition packaging for select ORS Olive Oil products, including Edge Control hair gels and shampoos, features bold, pride-inspired designs that reflect the collective identity and influence of HBCUs. This collaboration is part of a broader, long-term commitment by ORS Haircare to support and engage with HBCU communities. The partnership extends beyond products, with plans for an HBCU Tour and student-centered programming. These initiatives are designed to provide students with resources and knowledge related to self-care and confidence as they pursue their academic and professional goals. HBCU Culture Shop was founded in 2017 by Dainelle Riley, a Florida A&M University alumna. Frustrated by the lack of fashionable and accessible apparel for her alma mater, she began creating her own designs, which quickly sold out and revealed a significant gap in the collegiate apparel market. The collegiate apparel market generates over $4.6 billion in annual sales, yet HBCUs have historically been underrepresented by major retailers. Black-owned brands like HBCU Culture Shop are changing this landscape by creating officially licensed, unique apparel while giving back a portion of sales to the institutions. Each certified HBCU sale from the Culture Shop results in a 7%-15% royalty payment to the respective university. ORS Haircare, formerly known as Organic Root Stimulator, was founded in 1996 by Gary Gardner to cater to the health-conscious, multi-cultural consumer. The brand is now owned by Namaste Laboratories, which is a subsidiary of the international company Dabur. The Black hair care industry has a long history of entrepreneurship, with pioneers like Madam C.J. Walker and Annie Turnbo Malone creating products and educational opportunities for the Black community in the early 20th century. While historically dominated by Black-owned businesses, a significant portion of the market is now owned by non-Black corporations, making collaborations with Black-owned entities like HBCU Culture Shop particularly noteworthy. For Dainelle Riley, the founder of HBCU Culture Shop, this partnership is a "full-circle moment" that authentically connects her HBCU journey with the cultural expression of hair. Her passion for HBCUs was also inspired by her father, a civil rights activist who integrated schools in Alabama.
