Kmonaefierce New in Newark: The First Black Woman–Owned Beauty Supply Store is Here
Newark is making history — and this time, it’s happening in the beauty aisle.
What’s up everybody, it’s your girl @kmonaefierce, coming to you live from New Jersey with some exciting news that deserves real attention. Newark is officially welcoming its first Black woman–owned beauty supply store, and this moment is bigger than a grand opening. It’s about ownership, intention, and community investment.
Dre’s Beauty Supply, founded by Newark native Andrea “Dre” Harvey, brings a level of awareness and purpose that is often missing from the beauty retail experience. While this is exciting, it’s also ours. And because it’s ours, we must be intentional about supporting and stewarding this investment into our city.
Why a Black Woman–Owned Beauty Supply Store Matters
To understand why Dre’s Beauty Supply is such a significant addition to Newark, we have to look at the beauty industry as a whole. The U.S. beauty industry is valued at roughly $60 billion, with Black consumers accounting for approximately 12% of total spending, or more than $6.6 billion annually.
Black people are cultural drivers in beauty. Our hair textures, skincare needs, styles, and trends consistently influence the mainstream market. However, despite this influence, Black-owned beauty brands receive only about 2.5% of total industry revenue. That imbalance highlights a long-standing gap between who fuels the industry and who benefits from it financially.
This is precisely why ownership matters — and why stores like Dre’s Beauty Supply are critical.
When a Black woman owns the beauty supply store, the entire ecosystem shifts:
- Black-owned brands are more likely to receive shelf space
- Local entrepreneurs gain access to visibility and opportunity
- The community sees itself reflected rather than exploited
- Dollars circulate longer within the local economy
As a result, supporting Black-owned beauty supply stores is not just a personal choice — it’s an economic one.
Meet Dre Harvey: The Vision Behind Dre’s Beauty Supply
At the center of Dre’s Beauty Supply is Andrea “Dre” Harvey, a visionary whose story is deeply connected to Newark. Raised in the city after immigrating from Trinidad and Tobago, Dre grew up surrounded by examples of ownership, discipline, and long-term planning through her family’s involvement in real estate and entrepreneurship.
Her worldview expanded further through the Wight Foundation Scholarship Program, which allowed her to study and live abroad. That experience exposed her to new perspectives and reinforced her belief that success does not follow a single path.
Professionally, Dre began her career in government contracting, where her leadership and organizational strengths quickly stood out. Encouraged by her manager to lean fully into those skills, Dre made an executive decision: rather than waiting for systems to change, she would create something of her own — rooted in beauty, wellness, and community.
How to Support Dre’s Beauty Supply
Before the official opening, you can shop online at dresbeautysupply.shop and receive 10% off using my code KMONAE10. You can also follow Dre’s Beauty Supply on Instagram to stay up to date and get notified on the progress on the store opening. While we wait, be sure to SHARE SHARE SHARE to help get the word out.
Work With Me
My name is Ka’bre Monae, and thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I work with brands in the beauty, lifestyle, tech and fashion space to help amplify stories like the one shared above. My mission is to support startups, Black-founded businesses, and locally based brands in North Jersey by telling their stories through influencer partnerships and social media marketing. If you believe your business aligns with this vision and you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to send me a DM or email me at hello@kmonaekompany.com.
As always, stay blessed + stay fierce
Xoxo— Kmo
