Josephine and Billie’s, A Black-Woman Owned & Led Cannabis Space in L.A

Josephine and Billie’s is a new cannabis retail space located near the heart of Black Los Angeles, founded by Whitney Beatty and Ebony Andersen. The space is curated specifically for and by Black women, to explore the benefits of CBD and plant medicine. They also prioritize shelf space to women-led and POC cannabis brands.

“The retail space itself is a teapad  — the Black version of the speakeasy where Black people would consume cannabis and socialize in the ‘20’s and ‘30’s, complete with a false storefront entrance,” said Beatty, who serves as chief executive officer.

The aesthetic of Josephine and Billie’s is reminiscent of the Harlem Renaissance and the jazz scene, with their namesake paying homage to Josephine Baker and Billie Holliday.

“They were persecuted for their cannabis use, yet used their art to fight against injustice, rejected the mainstream and wrote their own rules,” said Beatty. 

All while holding the door open for others that would come after. That, for us, is the ultimate goal.”

Earlier this year The Parent Company selected Josephine and Billie’s as their first social equity venture fund investment. The Parent Company is committed to making sure the cannabis marketplace is accessible to Black-women led businesses, by providing mentorship, as well as funding. 

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter currently serves as chief vision officer of The Parent Company, where he helps develop brand partnerships in collaboration with his company, Roc Nation. 

First Published by TheGrio.com by Tina Sampay Dec 2021.

Read Full Article: https://thegrio.com/2021/12/07/female-entrepreneurs-cannabis-retail-space-los-angeles/