10 Black Women To Know In Home, Lifestyle, Décor, And Entertaining

Forbes

24-03-2025

Homemaking, decorating, gardening, and entertaining have long been central to Black American ... More culture, community building, and family wellness, deeply rooted in Southern traditions for generations.
Homemaking, decorating, gardening, and entertaining have long been central to Black American culture, daily life, community building, and family wellness, anchored in Southern traditions. These practices surpass beautiful aesthetics, serving as a way to create warmth, openness, and comfort and promote love and a strong sense of harmony and joy.
From backyard gardens, porch decorating, and farms that provide sustenance to carefully curated decor that reflects a multifaceted heritage and personal history, these traditions cultivate both community and expression. Entertaining also plays a significant role, with gatherings centered around cooking, storytelling, passing down history, heirlooms, recipes, and shared experiences.
An outdoor picnic held during the noon intermission of church in the 1940s, where communal dining ... More and long table dinner setups were common, and everyone would gather to eat freshly prepared meals.
The Black church has also indirectly influenced home decor, entertaining, and American lifestyle experiences, once being known for its elaborate floral arrangements, rich, sultry, and earthy colors, and intentional design choices that evoked beauty and reverence. It also helped create communal spaces in Black communities that hosted intimate fellowship events like dinners, picnics, and lunches. From welcoming front porches to thoughtfully designed interiors filled with meaningful artwork, photographs, and textiles, these traditions also continue to influence how spaces are created and experienced today.
This lifestyle was upended during the destabilization of Black Farmers and the Great Migration when many Black families were separated, as some left their land and their family obligations or even sold their land to move north in search of better opportunities. Prior to and during the early years of the Great Migration (1910–1970), Black farmers made up a significant portion of the agricultural industry, accounting for 14% of all U.S. farmers by 1920. However, discriminatory policies, land dispossession, systemic racism, and the Great Depression led to this decline, with Black Farmers making up less than 2% by 1970, owning only a few million acres. Coordinated efforts, including targeted policies and programs, encouraged this shift, promising economic advancement that was often met with new systemic challenges tied to urban living. Despite these disruptions, many recipes and traditions remained preserved, continuing to be used in Black households across the U.S., sustaining a rich cultural legacy.
Below are 10 Black women to know in home, lifestyle, décor, and entertaining:
Portrait of American restaurateur and television host B. Smith (born Barbara Smith), New York, ... More 1990s. (Photo by)
1. B. Smith was a lifestyle expert who revolutionized home decorating, culinary arts, cookbook writing, and entertaining, and she was often compared to Martha Stewart in the home décor industry. She built an empire worth an estimated $20 million through her television show, books, crafts, restaurants, and home goods line, inspiring individuals to embrace their cultural heritage and creativity while creating warm, inviting spaces. Her signature style often featured rich, earthy tones, vibrant patterns, and functional yet beautiful designs that celebrated both form and utility. Her work helped redefine the modern American home as not just a place to live but a reflection of one's identity, values, and creativity.
This Nov. 12, 2018 photo shows "Edna Lewis: At the Table with an American Original," Edited by Sara ... More B. Franklin, from The University of North Carolina Press. This book of essays helps to anchor her contributions to American, and more specifically regional southern foodways. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
2. Edna Lewis was an influential American Chef, cookbook Author, and culinary pioneer. She was known for her work in promoting Southern cuisine and popularizing meals rooted in Black American and Southern traditions. Lewis built a successful career around the intersection of culture, identity, tradition, community, sustainability, and food, all expressed artistically and creatively. Her legacy continues to impact the culinary world, as she advocated for the importance of fresh, seasonal ingredients and the significance of food as a way to connect with one's heritage and build community.
One of her cookbooks, The Taste of Country Cooking, helped bring Black Southern cooking into the mainstream. She used her work to preserve the traditions of the Deep South and Black home-country cooking. She often highlighted flavors, culinary traditions, and techniques passed down through generations, particularly from other Black women. Lewis's influence is a major reason why Southern cuisine is appreciated and respected in modern dining, and her recipes continue to inspire chefs and home cooks around the world today.
TOP CHEF — "Tribute Dinner" Episode 908 — Pictured: Guest judge Patti Labelle (Photo by Vivian ... More Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
3. Patti LaBelle Patti LaBelle is not only a legendary singer but also a prominent figure in the world of food, homemaking, and entertaining. In addition to her music career, LaBelle has established herself as a culinary force, combining her love for music and food to create memorable experiences. Through her cookbooks, such as Patti LaBelle's Lite Cuisine and Patti LaBelle's Soulful Recipes, she has brought Southern comfort food into the mainstream, offering delicious and healthy versions of classic dishes. She is also known for her iconic sweet potato pies, as well as her home decorating and table-setting advice. Like others on this list, her culinary influence draws from her upbringing in the South, where meals were more than just food. They were moments for family and community connection.
In 2008, at 64, Patti LaBelle founded the comfort food brand Patti's Good Life, achieving $85 million in sales through various retailers and building a net worth of about $20 million. Since then, she has collaborated with other powerhouse women who have demonstrated that lifestyle and entrepreneurship can go hand in hand, such as Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, and Rachael Ray. These partnerships have further cemented her status in the home decor and American lifestyle world. Like Patti, these women have built empires that merge their passion for food, home, and entertaining with sharp business acumen, inspiring generations to embrace creativity, culture, community values and enterprise development.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 09: Gladys Knight performs onstage for the 2021 CMT Music Awards at ... More Bridgestone Arena on June 09, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo byfor CMT)
4. Gladys Knight, The iconic Singer and Businesswoman is well-respected in the culinary world, known for her passion for food, hospitality, and entertaining. Much like her soulful music, Knight's approach to cooking embodies warmth, depth, and tradition, with a strong connection to her Southern roots and a farm-to-table philosophy. Through her cookbooks, such as Gladys Knight's Kitchen, she has shared her favorite family recipes, showcasing Southern comfort food with a personal and familial touch. Knight has inspired many with her recipes for dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread, all rooted in the flavors of the South. In addition to her cookbook, her culinary influence extended to her now-closed restaurant, Gladys Knight's Chicken & Waffles, a once-popular eatery in Atlanta that brought together her love of food and Southern hospitality.
Knight's contributions to both music and food are a testament to her ability to create moments of joy and connection through her artistry, whether through song or a home-cooked meal shared with loved ones. According to Yahoo Finance, through all her endeavors, she has built a career valued at approximately $28 million.
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 15: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex smiles during day six of the Invictus ... More Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 15, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo byfor Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
5. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has recently transitioned into the world of lifestyle and hospitality with her Netflix series With Love, focusing on homemaking, design, and community. In her show, Meghan highlights the importance of creating homes that nurture both family and personal well-being while showcasing core values such as decorating, gardening, and entertaining, which have been integral to building a village of support and overall family wellness within Black American culture for many generations.
Her series brings attention to creating spaces that encourage well-being and safety, much like some of the Southern traditions passed down through her Mother, Doria Ragland, which affirm warmth, comfort, security, and bonding. Through her storytelling and focus on intentional design choices, Markle encourages viewers to consider how their homes reflect their heritage, values, and personal histories, and how to use their spaces to express themselves as well as build connection and endearment with loved ones.
The show blends her passion for mindful living and family life with her commitment to sustainable design, offering viewers inspiration for creating their own spaces that promote harmony, peace, and joy. Through With Love, Meghan Markle is redefining the conversation around representation, homemaking and entrepreneurship, offering practical inspiration and more opportunities for people to engage in creating thoughtful environments that not only reflect individual heritage but also cultivate a sense of peace and connection within the home and their communities.
Iris Rideau, a trailblazing businesswoman in the hospitality and culinary industries, has made ... More lasting contributions to homemaking, design, and community building. She previously had a successful career in politics and insurance and pursued various entrepreneurial ventures in Los Angeles before relocating north to the Santa Ynez area.
6. Iris Rideau, a trailblazer in both the hospitality and culinary worlds, has made lasting contributions to homemaking, design, and community-building. She is recognized as the first Black American woman to own and operate a winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. Her work incorporates her passion for food, hospitality, live music, and New Orleans Mardi Gras culture. Leveraging her Southern Creole heritage, rooted in the traditions of Louisiana, Rideau created one-of-a-kind fusions and experiences for guests that were reflected in her winery and events. She brought this heritage to life through immersive experiences that celebrated connection, history, and the joy of gathering.
In addition to her hospitality expertise, Rideau has made a name for herself in the world of wine. As the former Founder of Rideau Vineyard in Santa Ynez, she specialized in Rhône-style wines while incorporating her Creole heritage into the winemaking process. Rideau's dedication to creating consonant spaces and products that embrace personal identity, heritage, and the importance of community continues to influence how we think about hospitality, homemaking, and the power of purposeful design. She also used her vineyard and leadership to create opportunities for others like her.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Kelis at ESSENCE & Ford My City 4 Ways at The Garage at Tech Square on ... More September 23, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by)
7. Kelis, a multifaceted Artist and Entrepreneur, has made her mark not only in music but also in the realms of food, farming, and holistic living. After attending Le Cordon Bleu, she embraced the art of creating flavorful, home-cooked meals using natural ingredients, which she later shared through her cookbooks. Her passion for sustainability is evident in her farms, where she documents her lifestyle on social media, growing her own produce and raising animals, fully embodying the farm-to-table lifestyle. With her brand Bounty & Full, she offers artisanal sauces, natural food and skincare products, all rooted in her commitment to fresh, high-quality and organic ingredients.
Kelis's approach to food seems to be deeply inspired by her belief in wellness and sustainable practices. She also promotes holistic living by sharing insights on gardening, herbal remedies, and natural beauty, grounding her core values with a focus on connection, community and family.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Tabitha Brown attends the Hollywood Confidential 10 yr ... More Anniversary W. Marla Gibbs, Tabitha Brown Tiffany Haddish at Television Academy on October 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Hollywood Confidential)
8. Tabitha Brown is a popular Influencer turned Businesswoman in the world of plant-based cooking and wellness, and she has become a leading voice in promoting healthy living and positive energy. Tabitha first gained widespread attention with her vegan recipes, which highlight the simplicity and flavor of plant-based meals. Her emphasis on using fresh, whole ingredients has made her a favorite across various audiences, especially those exploring a plant-based lifestyle. Tabitha's influence extends to over 5.2 million followers on TikTok and over 4.4 million followers on Instagram.
In addition to her cooking, Tabitha has expanded her influence into wellness and holistic living, sharing insights on self-care, mindfulness, and mental health. She often encourages her audience to embrace peace, self-love, and a balanced life, incorporating these principles into her daily routine. Tabitha's love for natural beauty and sustainable living is woven throughout her collaborations, including her product line, which reflects her commitment to wellness. Through her work, she has created a safe space for people to connect with themselves, their families, and the world around them, all while promoting compassion, healing and community building.
André Talley's Grandmother, Bennie Davis, was a major influence on the renowned fashion icon. ... More
9. André Talley's Grandmother, Bennie Davis, was a true homemaker whose influence extended far beyond her own home. Her meticulous and delicate care for her household, from tending to her rose garden to ensuring every piece of furniture was polished to perfection daily, shaped André's understanding of beauty, elegance, and grace. She taught him the value of creating an environment that nurtures not just physical comfort but also emotional connection and creativity. This foundational experience sparked a lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship, detail, and luxury. André carried these lessons into the fashion industry, where his groundbreaking work as a cultural icon in fashion journalism and design was significantly influenced by the principles of homemaking he learned from his grandmother.
His influence on the fashion world, a trillion-dollar industry that defines global trends and beauty standards, was heavily shaped by her teachings of creating beauty in the simplest, most intentional ways and Southern upbringing. Through André's success, his grandmother's legacy lived on. Before his passing, he discussed these lessons in his documentary The Gospel According to André, where he also showcased his home's high-end décor and reflected on his journey in interviews. You can learn more about his grandmother here.
Marie Clark Taylor was a distinguished Botanist and Educator whose work greatly impacted the field ... More of plant science and horticulture.
10. Marie Clark Taylor was a distinguished Botanist and Educator whose work greatly impacted the field of plant science and horticulture. As one of the first Black American women in STEM to earn a degree in botany, she dedicated her life to advancing knowledge about plants, their ecosystems, and the importance of conservation.Her research contributed to a more in-depth understanding of plant biology, and she was instrumental in encouraging Black students to pursue careers in science. Today, her legacy is reflected in the growing movement toward native plant gardening, sustainable landscaping, and the integration of botany into everyday life activities such as homemaking, gardening, decorating, and entertaining. Aside from her academic achievements, she carried her love of gardening into every aspect of her life.
Sharing these experiences with the world honors traditions that have often been overlooked or minimized while continuing to model the spirit of family and community. Homemaking, decorating, gardening, and entertaining are vital expressions of Black American culture, influencing industries and creating new ones daily, though they remain underrepresented. By showcasing these practices through content, stories, and programming, we not only encourage connection, growth, and appreciation but also create spaces where love, history, and joy flourish, celebrating the contributions of those who came before us and those who are actively passing down such gifts, enriching the fabric of our society.