March 2022 Brown Sugar Box Mini Magazine

MARCH 2022 $112 RETAIL VALUE

QUEENS RECOGNIZE QUEENS: 5 Black Women-Led Funds Helping Entrepreneurs Get Their Coin

4 Queens

Building Their Empires

Live Like A QUEEN

Everyday WOM A N TO WOM A N

Playlist

5 WAYS TO LIFT AS YOU CLIMB

s e b i V Self-Care EDITION

Inside the

SELF-CARE

VIBES I

t’s Women’s History Month and we’re thrilled to celebrate the contributions of women around the world who better our communities while carving a path for the next generation.

As we reflect on the record-breaking women who have defied opposition and soared to new heights in their respective fields, we salute everyday Black queens like YOU who dare to take up space while creating change on every level. This Self-Care Vibes edition recognizes the beauty, brilliance, and talent you exude every day. Those tiny actions, even the moments that feel insignificant, are lighting the way to the future. Your very existence is a piece of women’s history. Your purpose is undeniable! Revel in it. Inside you’ll find self-care items for mandatory days of pampering yourself like the QUEEN you are. We’ve also passed along a few resources to support your fellow sisters while also raising awareness of causes worth supporting. We strive to encourage, empower, and amplify the positive works of Black women this month and every month! Black women are the secret sauce that drives the culture. We love that and we love YOU.

Sweet Dreams Satin Pillowcase, $15 (1 OF 3)

Cotton pillowcases are a silent enemy, causing repeated nightly damage to our hair! It’s time to evict them from your bedroom…ASAP! Make room for your new satin pillowcase as the first line of defense when your bonnet slips off, helping to retain moisture and natural oils. You’ll get 1 of 3 pillowcase designs: Goodnight Brown Sugar, Don’t Disturb This Snooze, or Protecting My Edges.

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MARCH 2022 We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value

This month’s value:

Creamy Dreamy Whipped Soap, $15 (1 OF 3)

Take your skin to a creamy paradise! This 2-in-1 cleanser and moisturizer is infused with natural oils to nourish your skin. Lather up! You’ll receive 1 of 3 scents: Sweet Vanilla, Lush Lavender, or Island Citrus.

$112

She’s Royalty Vibes Tee, $ 2 5 For centuries, the color purple has been a sign of wealth and royalty. It’s only right that you dress according to your majestic station.

The She’s Royalty Vibes Tee highlights your imperial beauty and reaf rms your queendom.

Glow & Moisturize Dry Body Brush, $12

Gently brush away dead skin for silky, smooth, soft skin. This all-in-one brush may relieve stress, alleviate muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and exfoliate the skin. Use before showering to get the full effect. Say bye-bye ashy and hello to glowing skin!

Luxe Belted Satin Robe, $45 (1 OF 7)

Every time you slip on this robe, you’ll hear the ancestors whisper, “Yaaaaas, Queen.” Okay, maybe not, but you’re still cute! The silky material is light enough for year-round lounging. The waistfront tie is there to comfortably compliment your curves. You’ll get 1 of 7 prints: In Her Glory, Soul Sisters, Tribal Beauty, Aquatic Goddess, Brown Skin Queen, Boho Goddess, or Melanin Faces.

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LIVE LIKE A QUEEN

Every Day

By Saeeda Ruffin

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ueen Latifah laid it out perfectly when she said, “Let your inner queen’s voice come through loud and clear. Be strong, be authentic, be you, and you’ll do her proud.” Now that’s a real word for how to reach a higher level of self-awareness, self-love, and self-appreciation. There is a queen inside of you and expressing that part of yourself is totally possible. Here are some ways to realize your full potential and shine like the queen you are!

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MARCH 2022

MAKE SELF-LOVE A PRIORITY

Whether it’s sleeping luxuriously on your Izzy & Liv Satin Pillowcase or sauntering in your Satin Luxe Robe while enjoying your favorite things, queens know that self-care and preserving your happiness are super important. When you love yourself, you have a different perspective on life. A queen who really has that self-love will radiate kindness and peace.

FOCUS ON THE GOOD

Do your best to not let negative energy or toxic situations keep you from radiating those wonderful positive vibes.

BE BLACK AND PROUD

Your connection to the culture goes deep. Embrace it and let it come through unapologetically. Wear that head wrap like a crown. Rep that dashiki or let that kaftan flow. Express yourself culturally and carry yourself with royal pride.

APPRECIATE YOUR JOURNEY

No one on this planet walks in your shoes. You are unique and your experiences are yours alone. They have helped to create the person you are and will give you the knowledge and confidence to continue striving to be the person you can be.

ACCEPT GRACE AND GIVE GRACE

It is super easy to let a tough time or situation offset your happiness. Life is not perfect, but you can handle the rough moments with grace. Allow others to extend you grace, don’t be too hard on yourself, and extend that same grace to others.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE FABULOUS WHENEVER YOU WANT

There is a time for humility and a time to bring it. The world will try to dictate what you can and cannot do when it comes to fashion and looks. That ain’t for you, Queen. You create the rules for you!

BUILD YOURSELF UP DAILY AND CELEBRATE YOU

You are the hopes and dreams of your enslaved ancestors. Each day, you stand on the shoulders of those who have come before you. Remind yourself of YOUR GREATNESS and theirs. Queens earn and relish adulation. Always acknowledge the things that make you wholly and uniquely wonderful. Never feel bad about toasting to your accomplishments.

SPEAK AND LIVE YOUR TRUTH

The real you is worthy, strong, and human. You are a true queen, so own it and shine, with your royal self! Holding in your feelings and trying to be someone you are not will only tarnish your crown.

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to Lift As You Climb

By Girl Tyler

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hey say it’s “lonely at the top.”

This takes on a new meaning for Black women. After all the blood, sweat, and tears you shed to arrive at your destination as the only or first Black woman, you’ll likely have a difficult time finding another person who can relate to even a fraction of what you’ve experienced. Hello, isolation. Don't wait until you arrive. You have the power to change things at the ground level. When you finally get in the room, don’t be afraid to change the decor. Here’s to more Black women being in the room, all 2022!

“Lift as you climb” is an expression that simply means supporting others as you climb the proverbial ladder to success. You can positively alter the pipeline by taking actionable steps to help other women along your way. The next time you are on the staircase headed to a new level of success, reach back and pull another woman up with you. The cost? Free. It doesn’t cost a dime to boost women in your circles, even strangers. Here is a simple guide to amplifying other Black women in professional spaces.

SAY HER NAME We always talk about being in the room, but what happens when you get a seat at the table? Advocate for other qualified Black women to join you. There are plenty of reasons why women are not promoted as quickly as men and why only a few Black women occupy highly coveted positions in the C-suite. Besides blatant racism and gender bias, the suits making

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the decisions are likely swimming in a talent pool that doesn't include Black women. Make suggestions. Reach out to your contacts to see if they're seeking a position or know someone who is qualified to fill the open role at your company. You may have little to no influence on hiring, but still, you can mention the names of women who can support your company’s initiatives. Are you a project manager who needs to outsource a task? Recommend a talented Black woman for the job.

Looking for a spokesperson to discuss issues impacting minority communities?

Refer a Black organizer to speak about the problem and how their organization can provide solutions. When you notice a lack of representation, gently push back, and recommend Black women to get the job done. Word of mouth is the oldest form of advertising.

BE TRANSPARENT IN SALARY TALKS Salary discussions are always uncomfortable, even when you’re advocating for yourself. How much is too much? Did I lowball myself? What is the budget for this position? What if they reject my offer? So many questions swirl around in your head. You grow more confident about your worth and value as you accept new job offers. Sometimes it’s hard to put a price tag on talent. While some people advise against parading your salary, discussing ballpark figures for previous positions you’ve held along with any insight you may have to negotiate a fair amount will set the next woman miles ahead. The

MARCH 2022

gender wage gap is no secret, and the stats are even worse for Black women.

According to the U.S. Census, Black women on average earned 63% of a white man's median annual earnings in 2019. In 2021, Black Women's Equal Pay Day concluded that in the previous year, it took a Black woman 579 days to make the salary a white man made in 365 days. In other words, a Black woman had to work an extra 214 days to earn as much as a white man, and even then, she'd be behind. We can’t close the wage gap if we don’t acknowledge the wage gap exists.

MENTOR Giving back feels good. Remember the times you cried in the car before going to work or felt defeated after a meeting?

A young woman out there needs to hear your testimony. Aside from sharing wisdom learned from challenging situations, there are mutually beneficial perks to mentorship. Working with a mentee can enhance your leadership and communication skills while providing you an opportunity to pick up new skills from someone who is a bit greener. You'll always run into a new phrase or technique that will encourage you to seek more information, ultimately sharpening your expertise.

EXERT YOUR +1 POWER As you maneuver professional circles, you gain access to new areas. There are plenty of neat perks that come with an invitation to closed events. If your invitation comes with a plus one, leave your partner or spouse behind for the evening and bring along a friend who you are confident can benefit from this networking opportunity.

BE THE PLUG Sometimes we are only an introduction away from the next pitch meeting, new client or sales goal, that seems unattainable. You may hold the key to someone’s breakthrough without realizing it. Listen intently to the women around you.

What are their problem areas? Ask about their goals. You may know someone who can change the entire trajectory of their life and career. Connect the dots for them.

First, ask both parties if they’re interested in making the connection, then send a short email or text to initiate the introduction.

The rest is up to them. You'll feel a sense of satisfaction in making this small gesture, and what you put out into the universe will find its way back to you. People always remember who had their back!

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4 Queens

Building Their Empires

By Saeeda Ruffin

M

arch is Women’s History Month, so we’re going to get our flexing in and show all the way out. To mark the significance of this month, let’s celebrate some phenomenal women in our own culture. Yes, the time is now to recognize a few sisters who have positively impacted our world. These sisters are leaders, entertainers, and business professionals making a difference through their success, and proving that the only limits are the ones in your mind. It’s an amazing time to be a Black woman!

This year, for the first time ever, there were 2 Black Women included among the Fortune 500 list of CEOs. Any time that you see Black women breaking through glass ceilings and trailblazing, you know they have stepped beyond everybody’s expectations.

The example of tenacity and strength that they exhibit, all while expressing their pride in representing the culture, is what makes them even more precious and inspirational to the Black community. Today, let’s give props and much respect to these 4 Queens who are running things:

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MARCH 2022

The Billionaire Mogul Barbados produced a real one with Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Yes, Sister RiRi is 100% that BOSS and, as Black women, we couldn’t be more proud of what she has accomplished. From her start as an entertainer, Rihanna has shown the world that she has more to offer and, in turn, more enterprises to conquer. Her foray into beauty products has proven to be crazy lucrative. The Savage X Fenty lingerie and clothing lines have turned the world of intimate wear on its head as it is the very definition of an INCLUSIVE brand. The industry wasn’t ready! Oh, well. Rihanna is doing that thang and manifesting everything she dreamed of…including a new baby on the way!

The Winning Warrior She took on the perceived image of what a tennis player should look like and WON! Serena Williams is one of the highest paid female athletes, an incredibly decorated tennis superstar (she’s one of the winningest players of all times), and one of the world's most recognizable brand ambassadors.

Serena does it all with strength and grace. Queen Serena can go from dancing in music videos to walking the runway, to showing the world her athletic prowess, and still flex with the best of them in the corporate boardroom. Serena has had a seat on several boards of companies in Silicon Valley including SurveyMonkey and Poshmark. She has used her platform to address even greater causes, including as an activist for the Black Lives Matter movement. Queen Serena will likely be a fixture in the history books for a long time!

The Corporate Connoisseur You know you must be coming correct when you have been CEO of multiple financial institutions. Thasunda Brown Duckett has held more senior-level positions than we can list here. She is currently CEO of the TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund). Prior to this Fortune 500 position, she served as CEO of Chase Consumer Banking. When you hear people talking about making a place for yourself at “the table,” this Queen has done just that! She wields her influence in other sectors, including by sitting on the Board of Directors of Nike, Brex Inc., Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Sesame Workshop, National Medal of Honor Museum, and as an Executive Leadership Council Member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Young, Black, and running things…Thasunda is proof that Black women CAN and WILL be exceptional on their own terms!

The Film Phenom With more than 52 film credits, Angela Bassett has solidified her place in Hollywood history. She is the highest paid Black actress of all time, and it doesn’t look like she plans to stop anytime soon. Her career spans four decades, and now, she has moved into a position to shake things up even more as she steps into directing and producing. A timeless beauty, Queen Angela has influenced generations of Black women, and inspired millions to embrace their femininity and inner strength. Everything she touches seems to turn to gold. Clearly, she is not done making her mark. The Queen reigns!

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Queens Recognize Queens: 5 Black Women-Led Funds Helping Entrepreneurs Get Their Coin

By Girl Tyler

S

ecuring funding is a familiar challenge for any startup founder who was not born with a silver spoon in their mouth. A rigorous process goes into developing a new idea, pitching it to investors, and convincing them that they're investing in a scalable company. Investments are risky on both ends. For Black women founders, securing the meeting with an investor is met with its own unique set of challenges.

We'll spare you the 250-year history of why Black entrepreneurs often lack access to capital. Times are changing, though. More and more Black-led startups have found success with backing from venture capital investors in the last five to seven years.

Progress has been slowly trending upward for companies founded by Black women. According to ProjectDiane, a biennial demographic study tracking Black and Latinx women in entrepreneurial and innovation spaces, 93 Black women raised more than $1 million in venture capital in 2020, almost triple the number of Black women who accomplished this in 2018; and yet, this is still a fraction of what founders from other groups receive. Crunchbase reported that by July 2021, Black women startup founders had only received 0.34% of total VC dollars spent in the U.S. The good news is a shift is taking place. Crunchbase data shows venture funding for Black women-led U.S. startups are on target to surpass figures from the last five years. In the first half of 2021, startups with at least one Black woman founder raised an estimated $494 million, higher than the 2018 five-year-high of $484 million.

So, who are these venture capitalists who are acting as gatekeepers?

White guys. According to MIT Technology Review, 65% of VC firms do not have women partners, and 81% have no Black investors. Women make up half of the VC workforce, according to a 2020 report by Deloitte, and only 9% of Black women occupied an investment partner or equivalent role. The percentage was even smaller, with fewer than ten people, in 2016.

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MARCH 2022

The industry is mostly white and male…for now. BLCK VC, co-founded by Sydney Sykes, aims to change this. The non-profit has set out to create equity within the industry by fostering communities of Black investors and providing educational resources. BLCK VC seeks to double the percentage of Black investors and partners in the industry by 2024. As the industry progresses, more and more Black womenled funds are popping up. Here are five women who have set out to create inclusive investments:

1. Arian Simone President and CEO, Fearless Fund: The company backs businesses led by women of color seeking preseed, seed level, or Series A funding.

2. Arlan Hamilton Founder and Managing Partner, Backstage Capital: A venture fund exclusively investing in women, Black/POC, and LGBTQ founders.

3. Tracy Gray Founder & Managing Partner, The 22 Fund: A VC fund that invests in techbased manufacturing companies.

4. Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne General Partner and Co-founder, WOCstar Fund: A tech-focused early-stage investment fund led by women of color and inclusive teams.

5. Sarah Kunst Founder Managing Director, Cleo Capital: An early-stage VC fund.

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beauties Izzy & Liv customers truly are THE BEST! We LOVE seeing your social media posts sharing your boxes each month. Here are a few highlights from February 2022.

Congratulations to last month’s WINNER! Fredonia was randomly selected from sharing Brown Sugar love on social media to WIN her free box.

Thank you to everyone who shared! Stay in it to win it and don’t forget to share this box using hashtags #brownsugarbox #izzyandliv for your chance to win next month’s giveaway.

BONUS: Join our Facebook Group: The Brown Sugar Lounge, for a SECOND CHANCE to win a free box.

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MARCH 2022

WE WANT TO GET TO KNOW YA’LL BETTER! Hey Brown Sugar Babes! Throughout this year, we plan to highlight members of the Sisterhood in a new series: “Brown Sugar Babes: Her Story”.

Interested? Tell us a little about yourself, for a chance to be interviewed and featured in the future.

SCAN THIS CODE TO LET US KNOW THAT YOU’RE INTERESTED OR VISIT HTTPS://BIT. LY/BSBHERWORDS

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WOM A N to WOM A N

By Girl Tyler

Y

eah, male/female duets are cool, but have you ever tried being Whitney AND Mariah at the same time? Name a better duo, we’ll wait! There is something about powerful women teaming up to deliver dynamic art that moves us all. They don’t make classic duets like they used to but we’re grateful for the hits that have stood the test of time. The Woman to Woman playlist (word to Shirley and Barbara!) brings together new and back in the day duets from your favorite queens in harmony. You can feel their souls through and through. And these girls are SANGIN’ SANGIN’! Each one of these artists ATE up these lyrics. From a two-timing lover to the beauty of friendships, these powerhouse vocals will have you belting out the lyrics in every key. Grab the snacks and call up your girls immediately, this playlist calls for an impromptu karaoke night!

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Playlist

I'm His Only Woman by Jennifer Hudson & Fantasia The Boy is Mine by Monica and Brandy Trust by Keyshia Cole ft. Monica Unloyal by Summer Walker ft. Ari Lennox Heartbreak Hotel by Whitney ft. Kelly Price and Faith Evans It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be by Aretha Franklin ft. Whitney Houston Same Script, Different Cast by Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox I Don’t Do Duets by Patti LaBelle ft. Gladys Knight Ain’t No Way by Patti LaBelle ft. Mary J. Blige Gotta Move On by Toni Braxton ft. H.E.R. Gut Feeling by Ella Mai ft. H.E.R. Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu On it by Jazmine Sullivan ft. Ari Lennox It’s A Wrap by Mariah Carey ft. Mary J. Blige When You Believe by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston Count on Me by Whitney Houston and Cece Winans Without Me by Fantasia ft. Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott

SCAN TO LISTEN TO THIS PLAYLIST AND MORE!

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MARCH 2022

Frequently asked questions

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Can I change my size preference for future boxes?

Yes, you can do so inside your Brown Sugar Box account on izzyandliv. com, or you can email us at support@izzyandliv.com to update your preferences for you.

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When will I be billed for next month’s box?

You will be rebilled on the 1st of the month for the next box. You will not be billed for the next box until after the box from the current month has been shipped/delivered.

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What is your cancellation policy?

Your subscription can be cancelled at any time in your Brown Sugar Box Account Settings at izzyandliv.com. If you’ve already been billed for the next box (1st of the month), your cancellation will take affect the next billing cycle.

To cancel your subscription, login to your account and click on the Subscription tab, then click “edit” next to your subscription. You can also email us to request that we cancel for you.

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Can I exchange or return items in my box?

We cannot accept returns at this time for Brown Sugar Box items, but we welcome your feedback to improve.

Email us at support@ izzyandliv.com to share your thoughts. We value your feedback and our mission is to make every Brown Sugar Box more than worth your while! Your feedback will help us to make sure we make this box amazing and valuable as it can be.

As far as the item(s), you can always gift them to a friend, coworker, or family member- these items make GREAT gifts!

Can I skip a month without cancelling?

Yes, you can skip a future month delivery and not be billed for it, without having to cancel your entire subscription. Once logged into your Brown Sugar Box account at izzyandliv. com, you will need to open the “Delivery Schedule” tab. There you will see all upcoming deliveries for your subscription. To skip a delivery you just need to click “Skip” to the right of each relevant delivery.

This will only skip that one delivery. To skip multiple deliveries you will need to click “Skip” next to each relevant one. Alternatively, you can email to have us skip deliveries for you.

How can I share photos or unboxing videos with you?

Yes! We live for customer feedback & reviews! Just post your pics or video on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc. and hashtag #brownsugarbox, #izzyandliv and @izzyandliv. You can also leave a photo review on the Brown Sugar Subscription page! If you make a blog post email us with the link. If your social media is private we will not be able to see your post, so feel free to email us to let us know where to check it out!

Something went wrong with my order/ delivery what should I do?

Should you have an issue with your box items (damage, received wrong size, etc) you must notify us at support@izzyandliv. com, with photo(s), within 7 days of receipt of your package. After 7 days, we will not be able to process requests related to this month’s box. If your box was returned due to consumer error, please reach out to customer service for reshipment at an additional cost.

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I have feedback or questions, who do I contact?

We can be reached at support@izzyandliv.com

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