Deirdre Roberson

I am a Chemist. I am a Creative. I am a woman of color. EUMELANIN  is a clothing and jewelry brand that merges my scientific and creative side. I wanted to use my talents and life experiences to address issues of colorism that I’ve faced in my community that exist around the world.  

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI, which currently has the largest percentage of African Americans in the United States at 84%.

I grew up in Southwest Detroit, which is one of the most diverse populations in the city comprised of African Americans, Latin Americans, and Arab Americans. I witnessed first hand how our skin tones and shades were used to separate and invalidate us. EUMELANIN is a brand designed to challenge behavior that does not honor any of us. To bring to the forefront behaviors we have accommodated and tolerated because we were afraid to speak up. I envision a brand that has an impact on colorism globally. A brand that celebrates self-love holistically and combats negativity associated with black and brown people around the world because of their skin tone. 

EUMELANIN is not only my brand it has grown into something more, my therapy. I believe we have a responsibility by the way we live our lives and when we open our mouths to empower, to love and to teach; so I created EUMELANIN.