In 1966, Mary Van Brittan Brown, feeling unsafe alone in her apartment in Queens, New York, created a camera “that could slide into and look through four peepholes in her front door.” The feed from this camera, then, appeared on a monitor so that she could “survey any unwanted guests.” In addition to the camera, she added a microphone and a button, which when pressed contacted the police.
Three years later, in 1969, she and her husband received the patent for the very first home security system, which, now has evolved with aspects of her original design at the core of home security.
Celebrating Black History Month, LimeLoop honors these black founders and creatives making waves in sustainability, innovating timeless ideas, such as Mary’s, and creating spaces for self-expression and creativity.
Reel
Reel is disrupting the toilet paper business with biodegrable-bamboo rolls. Co-founded by CMO Derin Oyekan, Reel’s business is free of plastic from their products to their shipping. Additionally, each purchase supports their co-mission and partnership with SOIL to expand access to clean toilets.
“Some things have been a part of our lives for so long that we forget that there’s room for improvement – like that … same ol’ toilet paper you have stockpiled in the loo,” says Oyekan.
Bamboo consumes 30% less water than hardwood trees, while also aiding in decarbonization. An acre of bamboo creates 35% more oxygen than trees.
BLK + GRN
Dr. Kristian H founded BLK + GRN, the non-toxic marketplace for black artisans, so that consumers can consciously curate, craft, and consume. Additionally, the brand cultivates its own products.
“At BLK + GRN, our all Black artisans are carefully chosen by Black health experts who know what an all-natural product truly looks like…Our marketplace connects Black people with natural lifestyles to high-quality, toxic-free brands that share in our mission of health, wellness and community cultivation.”
Blavity
Founded in 2014 by CEO Morgan DeBaun, Blavity is a network of platforms and brands, including Blavity News, Blavity Politics, AfroTech, and 21Ninety. Across these brands Blavity connects the world of Black culture through experiences.
“Blavity Inc is a diversified digital media company that builds platforms to inform, entertain and engage communities of color.“ Coined “the Largest Network of Platforms for Black Millennials and the Community for Black Creativity and News”, Blavity is changing the media landscape and amplifying Black voices.
Zero Grocery
Becoming the U.S.’s first zero-waste grocery store seemed like a no-brainer: “If 90% of global plastic waste comes from food consumption, then let’s change the way we consume food.”
Zuleyka Strasner founded Zero Grocery to prove we can have “what we want, when we want it, without ruining the planet.”
How? By simply placing an order which is then delivered to your home. And make sure to leave any reusable packaging out on the doorstep, Zero Grocery will collect and reuse them for future orders.
