Kristian Edwards is a professor of public health, a natural lifestyle enthusiast, and the founder of BLK + GRN, an all-natural marketplace with products made by Black artisans. Here, products are curated and sold in categories like skincare, home, and bath and body to meet the needs of wellness seekers who want to buy Black and live green.

Kristian’s latest entrepreneurial endeavor is the culmination of her belief in #BlackGirlMagic and her experiences in the public health industry. She is an unshakeable optimist who is passionate about helping women cultivate a lifestyle that’s free of artificial ingredients, toxins, and harmful chemicals. She believes that doing so is the only way to foster true happiness.

The fundamental hope in buying Black and living green as a non-compromising choice is what connects her journey to a community who also want to craft and consume products consciously.

To date, BLK + GRN has already been featured in publications like Essence, Forbes, Blavity, USA Today and The New York Times – to name a few. Kristian attributes the early success of her company to the artisans and customers who remain authentic and intentional about health, wellness and community cultivation.

When she’s not sampling new natural products for BLK + GRN or discovering up-and-coming artisans, she’s practicing yoga. You can also catch her picking out the latest and greatest edible plants for her husband to transform into something magical at home, along with nurturing and making memories with their toddler son and baby boy on the way.

Kristian holds a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University, a Master’s degree from the Yale School of Public Health, and a Doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.