Our Story

Shades of the Nubian started out in New Jersey, when we originally sold fragrance oils, bath and body products.  When our founder relocated to the metropolitan Washington, DC area, she expanded and changed our product lines to focus solely on products made with Shea Butter and other botanicals, as well as our own unique essential oil and fragrance oil blends. 

Our founder took some time off to raise a family and we have now re-launched with a renewed focus on sustainability and botanicals from the Continent and throughout the Diaspora.  Shea Butter is the primary ingredient in many of our products. We consider Shea the Queen of Butters, with Nilotica our favorite! Click here to learn why.

In 2022, we added Soko Soko Market, our market for specially curated cultural apparel & accessories.  We're pleased to offer cultural merchandise to reflect the diversity of our people throughout the Diaspora, from Harlem to the Nile Valley. 

Shades of the Nubian honors the legacy of Willie Mae Whatley, our founder's grandmother, who had a small business and was a creative in her own right.  We also pay homage to the entrepreneurship and service to community exhibited by our Ancestors. 

We support Fair Trade and source directly from the Continent or indirectly from African sources and wholeheartedly believe in the symbiotic relationship between our products and our customers.

Thank you for stopping by our shop.

Sutenet Tiye, CEO & Founder
Shades of the Nubian
Abundance. Wellness. Soul.