Sean “Diddy” Combs has launched an e-commerce platform to make it easy for consumers to find, explore, and shop from black-owned businesses. The platform, called Empower Global, seeks to give black brands the opportunity to reach a wider audience.
Empower Global was reportedly built by Black-owned ecommerce design and development company TechSquarq and supported by Black-owned tech company ChatDesk. Diddy is starting the project with over 70 brands that include Silver & Riley, Actively Black, Scotch Porter, Coco & Breezy, and Kultured Misfits. Others include Gwen Beloti Jewelry, Buttah Skin, Marie Hunter Beauty, Pound Cake, B.M. Franklin & Co., Beauty Stat Cosmetics, Cecilia’s House, Cise, Cool Creative Clothing, June 79, and Rebecca Allen.
Already, there are over 1,000 different items available on the platform. The company’s goal is to allow consumers to discover over 200 different brands by the end of the year, a press release said.
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“For a long time, I thought about how to create radical change,” Diddy captioned a promo video cited by Revolt for Empower Global on Instagram. “Over the years I’ve realized radical change starts with us. I’m extremely passionate about creating a platform that will show the power of unity. [Through] my life’s work and the different stages of success, I’ve realized for our people to break through and advance we have to do things together.”
He continued: “Empower Global represents a solution to all of the things that have held our communities back. Let’s unite, brand by brand, company by company, person by person, customer by customer, and dollar by dollar.”
Tarik Brooks, President of Combs Global, said the initiative will not only showcase the incredible products and talents of black-owned businesses but will also support and uplift the black community. “Through Empower Global, we aim to foster sustainable growth and create lasting opportunities that will leave a positive and enduring impact on the Black economy,” Brooks said.
Diddy initially announced Empower Global in 2021 under Combs Global, a portfolio of businesses and investments he’s built and cultivated.
According to PRNewswire, “Empower Global and UPS are collaborating to make supporting Black-owned businesses even more accessible by offering special deals and shipping rates. Through the Days of Deals initiative, select sellers will offer discounts on choice products as well as free UPS® shipping for any purchases on the platform, for a limited time.”
The release added that Empower Global has a global strategic partnership with Salesforce, and is powered by Marketplacer’s best-in-class online marketplace technology.
