Support Black Owned Beauty Business in Need

With a 20-year career under her belt, Cynthia Obleton is not only a master braider and hair stylist; she also specializes in Organic Hair Care formulating, hair loss and trichology. As with many other hair and personal care services, Cynthia's shop, Sankofa Braiding and Natural Hair Care, has been forced to cease operations since March of this year. The business is a favorite within Berkeley's community; it has been a "Best of Berkeley" award winner for two consecutive years. As mentioned in a recent Berkeleyside article; Obleton's clients "are loyal and listen to her advice;" the shop's closing has been missed by these clients, many of whom depend on Obleton's services to combat hair loss and treat conditions of the scalp. 


Prior to the pandemic, Obleton was preparing to launch “TrichoAfric," her trademarked hair and scalp treatment system(Braids Care System, Hair Restoration System and Botanical Range System). The products, which include a herbal shampoo, conditioner, scalp oil, and more, are popular with Obleton's client-base, due to the significant results the products deliver. Those plans have been put on pause, as Obleton, like many, has little choice but to funnel her savings and unemployment payments to keep her shop and business afloat. 


Black-owned businesses are important to their communities. Pledging to support Sankofa means keeping a crucial business that caters to an underserved market afloat. Small businesses are far more impactful to local economies, more so than individual consumers and statewide or national chains. Your contribution does more than launch a product--it keeps others employed and keeps money within the community.