Hey Amtu Hair Art & Tools Fam,
First things first—thank you. Your unwavering support has been the heartbeat of Amtu Hair Art and Tools, a venture rooted in culture, tradition, and progress. As the creator of the Hair Weights, I am honored to share not just a product but a philosophy—one that integrates ancestral wisdom with contemporary innovation to serve our community. These tools were born out of love—for our ancestors, traditions, and the resilience of Black creators everywhere. They are more than styling tools; they are instruments of self-care, autonomy, and decolonization. Our hair carries stories of survival, resistance, and transcendence, and through Amtu, I aim to honor that connection while creating solutions that serve us—by us, for us.
To ensure you continue to have access to the Hair Weights while maintaining a space fully owned by us and independent of this corporate white supremacist system, we will host a presales periodically. This allows us to retain control over the product and its distribution while keeping it accessible to our community.
To ensure you continue to have access to the Hair Weights while maintaining a space fully owned by us and independent of this corporate white supremacist system, we will host a presales periodically. This allows us to retain control over the product and its distribution while keeping it accessible to our community.
What Happened? You may have noticed that Amtu Hair Art &Tools temporarily paused operations. This decision was not made lightly. Like many Black-owned businesses, we faced systemic exploitation when corporations sought to siphon our innovations. Despite having both utility and design patents for the Hair Weights, these protections meant little in a society that commodifies Black creativity without accountability. These same corporations have also been dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, leaving many Black innovators without support systems they once relied on.
Here’s how it played out for Amtu:
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A major corporation began purchasing our products only to study their design, replicated them with insignificant changes, rebranded them, and sold them through high-profile Black celebrities. While this seemed like a win for those involved, it effectively siphoned resources away from small, independent Black businesses like ours.
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Many surviving Black brands eventually partnered with these corporations, hoping for stability. But now, as DEI programs are gutted, even those brands are facing downsizing—or disappearing altogether.
This wasn’t an isolated attack; it was strategic. By targeting independent Black businesses early on, these corporations weakened the foundation of what made us unique. Now, as boycotts rightfully called out these practices, there weren't enough fully independent Black-owned alternatives left to fill the gap. And here’s the painful truth: That was the plan all along. Why Does This Matter? Black culture, creativity, innovation, and resilience aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the backbone of U.S. soft power. Soft power is essentially how a country influences others not through force but through its cultural appeal, values, and ideals. Think about it: Jazz, hip-hop, fashion, art, activism—all rooted in Black excellence. Globally, America leans heavily on these contributions to project itself as a leader of freedom and progress. But here at home? We face systemic racism, economic inequality, and policies designed to undermine our progress. It’s a psychological game meant to make us doubt our worth. Let me tell you something: We are invaluable. Without us, America loses its most dynamic export—its ability to inspire and connect across borders, and it does this primarily through black culture and our cultural expressions.
Where Do We Go From Here? Presale!
At Amtu Hair Art & Tools, my goal has never been just about profit. My mission is simple:
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To sustain a completely Black-owned, Black-created business that serves you —our community—with chemical-free, effective solutions for Black hair health.
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To use this platform to spark dialogue, share knowledge, and empower each other.
We also hope to become more global, because so far, what we have learned as a black owned business is that black generational wealth is almost impossible here, in a place that loathes our bloodline. So, Global partnerships will be the way to go and to not take for granted. These partnerships aren’t something to shy away from—they’re part of our survival strategy moving forward. Just as this system has tried to misinform us of our value, t has also tried to discourage us from thinking globally. Don’t fall for it. Our strength lies in connecting beyond borders while staying rooted in our identity.
How You Can Help?
For now, sit tight. We’re working behind the scenes to rebuild stronger and smarter. In the meantime:
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Share this newsletter. Educate your circles about what’s happening to Black businesses.
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Support remaining independent Black-owned brands whenever possible. Every purchase matters.
Stay vigilant. Recognize the patterns of exploitation and resist them together. Final Thoughts The road ahead won’t be easy, but I believe in us. Black people have always turned adversity into innovation, pain into art, and struggle into triumph. That’s our superpower. Together, let’s preserve our legacy and build a future that honors it. Stay strong, stay informed, and stay unapologetically Black.
With love and gratitude,
Michelle (aka Amtu)
Founder, Amtu Hair Art &Tools
Michelle (aka Amtu)
Founder, Amtu Hair Art &Tools