Spotlight on Black-Owned Brands: Voices and Makers at Toronto’s Black Market

This weekend, Toronto’s Black Market took over Stackt Market with color, scent, and sound. Creativity moved through the space like air, and every booth told a story. You could feel the care that Black makers pour into their work, from handcrafted products to deeply personal missions.

I left feeling grounded and energized, and I wanted to share a few of the brands that stayed with me long after I walked away.

Anointed Glow

One of the first booths I visited was Anointed Glow, a skincare brand led by mother-daughter duo Shaunteé and Alice. They spent two years developing their product line before launching, and you can feel that care in every detail. Their story is one of resilience, intention, and self-belief.

Their Restorative Body Oil immediately stood out. Created to heal dry, cracked skin and restore a natural glow, it blends jojoba, lanolin, and cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. But what stayed with me was how Shaunteé described it. Not just as skincare, but as a form of self-adornment. A ritual. A way to rewrite the beliefs we carry about our bodies and to heal through presence.

Find them here: Anointed Glow Instagram

Telan Cosmetics

I also connected with Telan Cosmetics, founded by Tessy Tamuno Wokama. Her journey began when she couldn’t find makeup that matched her skin tone and felt safe to use, especially during pregnancy. That lack of inclusive, trustworthy products pushed her to begin creating her own.

Telan launched in 2022, and every product is made in Canada. Tessy’s vision is clear: build makeup that centers and celebrates dark-skinned women. Her brand honors beauty that the mainstream often overlooks. Standing at her booth felt like witnessing a movement in motion—rooted in lived experience, care, and clarity.

Explore more here: Telan Cosmetics Website

Fire & Desire Candle Company Co.

Another brand that stayed with me was Fire & Desire Candle Co., a Black family-owned business from Nova Scotia. The warmth at their booth was immediate. Founder Shantae started the company five years ago, and her entire family takes part in the work. Her son walked me through how each candle is made—hand-poured in small batches, vegan, and cruelty free.

The scent that stuck with me was Issa Vibe—a rich blend of pumpkin, caramel, pecan, butter, orange peel, and maple. It smells like fall wrapped in warmth. But what made it special was more than the scent. You could feel the love and generational care behind every candle.

Find out more here: Fire & Desire Candle Co. Website

Why this matters at Versatelle Co.

These makers are shaping experiences, stories, and rituals. They are expanding what wellness, beauty, and creativity can look like when they are rooted in community and culture.

At Versatelle, we hold space for this kind of care. We share it, uplift it, and let it guide the way we grow.

Support these makers. Learn their stories. Carry them with you.