Melanin Rising was founded in 2019 by Naomi Grace: artist, activist and educator.  What started out as an "accidental venture" has now become a community that lies on the intersections of art, fashion and social justice.  The idea is that by celebrating creatives of the African diaspora, past and present, we can be better rooted in our identities as Black people and nurture our capacity to share our wisdom and innovative spirit with the world.  ​​