Entrepreneur Najara Black recalls the brand’s history and its ‘sisterhood’ relationship with AFD

“I started in the market in 2005, without prior knowledge, a 22-year-old girl wanting to start a business, when we didn’t even talk about entrepreneurship. I wanted to earn a living, make money doing my thing and I was questioned a lot at the beginning, a lot of people disbelieved me, but I believed. Today, there are 19 years of history changing my life story and the story of everyone who feels represented with N Black”, says Najara Black. Powerful phrases, vibrant colors and models for all bodies are key elements in the trajectory of the clothing and accessories brand N Black, which, focused on young people of African descent and the work of its CEO Najara Black, has established itself in Bahian fashion to inspire and empower bodies and minds.

Present at Afro Fashion Day since 2014, Najara reveals that N Black’s trajectory in the project is representative of the brand’s evolution in fashion and entrepreneurship. An example are the designs presented, initially focused on knitted t-shirts, which evolved into new pieces, models, fabric mixes and new prints. “Remembering the stories with Afro, remembering the first fashion show, it’s great that the brand was present and, during all these years, collaborating with Afro Fashion Day. For me, it was very important. Afro is totally part of N Black, he’s a brother”, he emphasizes.

See the complete mini-doc about N Black:

Furthermore, she has a personal affection for the project as she is one of the designers who has worked most in roles outside of the creative profession. She has been master of ceremonies, coordinator of the kids space, judge at the model selection and even modeled her own collection in 2016. “Afro made me discover new skills that I didn’t even know I had, and today I work with them. I am very happy and grateful to the entire team for the opportunities and possibilities”, she reveals. Currently, Najara uses N Black’s work not only for aesthetic empowerment, but also for socioeconomic empowerment: “Today I do mentoring, lectures and help other entrepreneurs to believe in their potential and dreams. I hope that many more empowered black women will come to serve as references and inspiration”, she says.

The entrepreneur believes that, after almost two decades in the market, having traveled throughout Brazil, survived the pandemic and managed different units, including in shopping malls in Salvador, today N Black is synonymous with resistance and a reflection of the expansion and strengthening of black fashion in Bahia. — a scenario that she believes was largely influenced by the AFD.

“Afro moves everything. From the moment the brand is seen, remembered and invited to participate in an event the size of Afro Fashion Day, this is very important. It means that what you do is paying off. Participating in all editions, always being present, collaborating, opened doors for me, made my work more visible. This empowers, enables and provides opportunities, which is what we need most”, he concludes.

Mini docs Afro Fashion Day:

Media and Digital Strategy Editor: Jorge Gauthier

Culture intern: Luiza Gonçalves

Media team: Eduardo Bastos, Arthur Leal and Gabriel Cerqueira

Afro Fashion Day is a project by the newspaper Correio with sponsorship from Avon and Bracell, support from CAIXA, Shopping Barra, Salvador Bahia Airport and Wilson Sons and institutional support from Sebrae