On this episode of Black Tech Green Money , we strip away the packaging to reveal the hard science and high-stakes finance powering the Black hair revolution. The days of "kitchen chemists" are evolving into an era of AI-driven diagnostics and nine-figure exits. Will Lucas sits down with the architects of this shift to answer the trillion-dollar question: Can you scale a culturally rooted brand without losing its soul? We hear from industry titans Courtney Adeleye (The Mane Choice) and Monique Rodriguez (Mielle Organics) on navigating the controversial waters of acquisition and what it really takes to transition from a community favorite to a global powerhouse. Meanwhile, a new guard of tech-founders— Candace Mitchell (Myavana) and Dr. Tiffany St. Bernard (HairDays)—explain how they are training algorithms to diagnose scalp health and personalize care. And, Ciara Imani May (Rebundle) breaks down the chemistry of comfort, revealing how banana fiber is disrupting the toxic synthetic hair market. This is the business of beauty, engineered. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
