About AphroChic
“With AphroChic, Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason have written the most most important design book of our time.”
For almost two decades AphroChic has been on a journey exploring design as a cultural artifact, and examining the expressions of that artifact within African Diaspora cultures around the world. A modern media and design brand founded in 2007, AphroChic’s eponymous magazine, books, podcast, and design projects work to convey an essential narrative of Black history and identity, interrogating the connections between the design of an aesthetic and the design of society at large.
In 2013, the brand’s first book, REMIX: Decorating with Culture, Objects and Soul, became the first book to posit a specifically African American approach to design. A year later, the Helms Bakery Remix House by AphroChic was launched. The first African American show house on the west coast transformed a raw warehouse in LA's design district into a 21st century vision of Black life in America. In 2017, AphroChic became the first Black-owned brand to craft their own paint line, Brooklyn in Color. Two years later, in 2019, the brand launched AphroChic magazine and The AphroChic Podcast - media outlets focused on telling the stories of creatives across the African Diaspora. And in 2022, the brand released their second book, AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home, a national bestseller and a permanent part of the Library of Congress collection, that has been touted as one of the most important design books of our time.
One of the nation's oldest Black-owned brands, AphroChic has partnered with various Fortune 500 companies, heritage brands and cities across the United States, crafting safe spaces for conversations, exhibits and activations on race and culture. Some of the brand's most memorable projects include the Design Against Hate Lounge at BKLYN Designs; AphroChic and The Home Depot's pop-up celebrating Black womanhood at the Essence Street Style Festival; crafting the first Diversity in Design talk at High Point Market; and providing the keynote address on Social Media and the Politics of Representation at Pinterest's annual Knit Con event.
The brand's latest media and design project is one they're most proud of - the creation of a virtual home for the African Diaspora, exploring design, art, food, fashion, and scholarship that celebrates the diversity and connections between Black people worldwide.
About Jeanine & Bryan
“Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason are architects of Black culture.”
Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason started their journey together as high school students, first meeting on an HBCU tour. From the first day they met, they began designing a life together, with cultural exploration at the center of it. Whether globe-trotting, or stopping for a couple of hours in a new city, visiting an exhibit, admiring the architecture, connecting with local artists and artisans, and learning the Black history of a place became an important part of each journey. So much so, that as newlyweds, the couple founded their brand, AphroChic, as a celebration of African Diaspora culture. The brand is also a reflection of the couple's backgrounds in social justice and philosophy. Jeanine, a former policy attorney, has aided in creating a meaningful brand that is equal parts lifestyle inspiration and social activism. While Bryan, who holds a masters degree in African Diaspora Studies from UC Berkeley, has crafted new philosophical thought that guides the brand, focused on the Diaspora, its connections, and the individual Black cultural heritages that exist within. Today, Jeanine and Bryan are working to make AphroChic the first global platform of its kind, creating space for exploration, edification, cultivation, and self-expression for Black communities worldwide. On any given day you can find the couple enjoying their beloved AphroFarmhouse in the Hudson Valley, listening to music, reading classic Black lit in their home library, looking for pieces to add to their Diaspora art collection, and joyously focused on their mission.
Meet the Team
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Cheminne Taylor-Smith
BRAND MANAGER
Cheminne Taylor-Smith is a creative thinker and idea generator who guides AphroChic in business strategy, branding, licensing, relationship marketing, promotion, social media, and content strategy. Former PR director for Elle Decor, and the former Vice President of Marketing for the High Point Market, Cheminne has unmatched experience in the home, media, retail, and design arenas.
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Krystle DeSantos
BRAND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Krystle DeSantos is the Brand Partnerships Manager at AphroChic known for her dynamic approach in creating culturally resonant content and leading strategic campaigns. As a former Advertising & Marketing Manager at Apartment Therapy, LinkedIn and Amazon, Krystle has implemented high-impact, data-driven campaigns and has developed AphroChic brand partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, including Nike.
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Ruby Brown
CONTENT CREATOR
Ruby Brown brings their experience in technology and publicity, and a strong artistic vision to their work with AphroChic. Ruby has crafted the look of the brand's various campaigns, including for (RED), the CDC and the AphroChic book tour, effectively communicating the brand's identity with audiences around the world.
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Tala (T) Al Arfaj
CONTRIBUTOR
Tala (T) Al Arfaj is a student journalist dedicated to bridging the gap between Black and Arab communities through insightful storytelling and nuanced reporting. As a Black Arab, Tala works on bringing a unique and essential perspective to contemporary journalism.