BHM: Celebrating Our Black Creators: Biobele, Samantha, and Lowe

As Black History Month comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible Black creators who make the Suave family so special. This month, we’ve been connecting with Biobele, Samantha, and Lowe, learning their stories, and reflecting on the power of Black creativity. Each of them is redefining creativity in their own unique way, and we couldn’t be prouder to have them as part of the Suave family. 

Biobele Braide

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD  (fun fact: the name 'Biobele' is Kalabari, father's native Nigerian language, and means joy!).

I did an undergraduate in Neuroscience and French Cultural Studies at Johns Hopkins University (+ semester abroad in Paris!), and Medical School at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY. Currently I’m in my third and final year of adult psychiatry residency at Massachusetts General/McLean Hospitals in MA, with plans to continue to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at MGH/McLean in summer 2025.

Ethnicity

Second-generation Nigerian American; my parents immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria. My mother is Igbo and my father is Kalabari.

What or who are some key influences or personal experiences that have shaped your creative journey?

Traveling out-of-state and out-of-country has helped enrich my understanding of self-expression as it relates to the history and culture of regions outside my neighborhood. Creativity requires a degree of risk-taking, and I've been challenged and inspired to define myself beyond the labels that I might be assigned based on my career or upbringing.

Black creativity

Black creativity is profoundly reshaping the modern creator industry by infusing it with bold storytelling, cultural authenticity, and a transformative approach to visual expression - Kendrick Lamar's halftime show was an excellent example of this. Black artists are pushing artistic boundaries by challenging industry norms of beauty, redefining representation, and asserting ownership over their narratives.

What advice would you give emerging Black creatives building their platform?

Your authenticity is your most powerful asset. While there might be pressure to conform to a certain aesthetic or to follow trends for growth, your creative voice should always shine through. It is so rewarding to build a community founded on your most authentic self as they will uplift and inspire you creatively and personally.

Samantha Miller-Chen

I was born in Haiti, now living in Virginia!

I studied Forensic Science and Human Biology at Liberty University and am currently a Forensic Laboratory Specialist in the Controlled Substances Lab at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science.

Ethnicity

I’m a proud Black woman of Haitian heritage. Haiti has a rich history of resilience, creativity, and cultural influence, and I carry that spirit with me in everything I do.

Key influences or experiences that shaped your creative journey

My love for baking started as a way to bring joy to others, and over time, it became a creative outlet that allowed me to merge tradition with innovation. Growing up with Haitian roots, I was surrounded by vibrant flavors, homemade desserts, and a culture that values storytelling through food. Seeing Black women redefine beauty, food, and lifestyle industries has also inspired me to carve out my own space in the creative world.

Black creativity

Black creators are trendsetters in every industry. From food to fashion to music, our creativity shapes culture in ways that are undeniable. We bring authenticity, innovation, and a strong sense of identity that challenges traditional norms and pushes the industry forward.

Are there any Black creatives—past or present—whose work deeply resonates with you and why?

Tabitha Brown’s warmth and authenticity in food content inspire me to keep my creativity rooted in joy and community. In the baking space, Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby Cakes is a huge inspiration—she honors tradition while modernizing recipes in a way that feels fresh and exciting.

How do you use your creative platform to elevate Black voices and stories?

I love sharing the stories and traditions behind my recipes, especially when they reflect my Haitian roots and Black culture. Whether it’s a classic Southern dessert or a treat inspired by Caribbean flavors, I want my audience to connect with the rich history behind the food. I also prioritize supporting and collaborating with other Black creators in the food and lifestyle space.

What guidance would you offer to emerging Black creatives striving to establish themselves + create a platform for themselves?

Your voice and perspective matter—don’t water it down to fit a mold. Lean into what makes you unique, stay consistent, and build a community that genuinely connects with you. Find inspiration in others, but don’t be afraid to carve your own lane.

How do you hope to see the creative industry evolve to foster greater inclusivity and recognition for Black creators?

I hope to see brands invest in Black creators not just for diversity campaigns, but year-round. True inclusivity means giving Black creatives the same opportunities, visibility, and financial backing as others in the industry.

Lowe Saddler

Lowe, currently in Los Angeles, CA but originally from Washington D.C.

I went to school at the University of Maryland College Park for English Lit and Black Womens Studies! Now, in addition to sharing bits of my home decor and life online, I edit and write home decor and home improvement content for some really cool publications.

Key influences or experiences that shaped your creative journey

My mom is forever one of my biggest creative influences! She loves a good knick knack and has never been afraid to play with color, patterns, and textures. And the older I get, the more I find myself gravitating to the exact same things. She’s so vibrant as a person, and she def passed that down. If a place can also be influential, I took the most eye-opening trip to Morocco then Paris, a few years ago. The cultures in both places are so different on the surface. If you look a little deeper, though, the similarities are endless. The people in both places are incredibly multifaceted, so connected to their history, and I really feel like there’s an underlying current of romanticism there, even in parts of the cities that aren’t so glamorous and I love that. I try to romanticize my life a little bit like how they do there.

Black creatives you resonate with

Maurice Harris (from @bloomandplume) is honestly a visionary! He makes floral arrangements that are truly living art, and he’s always unapologetically himself. He’s one of my fave LA-based creative folks, and scrolling his feed is like an instant dopamine/inspo hot. Jodianne (from @gentlymadestudios) is a painter who creatives the most ethereal works of art. Women are her main subjects, and she portrays them so softly. I love it! Lastly, I’m a candle girl, so when I stumbled upon Coutrney Bright (from the @notsobrightshop), I fell in love! She’s also based in LA and handmakes the most delicious candles.

How do you use your creative platform to elevate Black voices and stories?

I share the people and places and things that resonate with me on my platform—beautiful things, colorful things, sweet and lighthearted things. And it’s so easy to share Black voices and stories on my platform because Black culture is full of all those things. It’s not all trauma and angst (like some media sources may suggest). There’s so much laughter and art and just fun. I like to think my own daily life is proof of that sometimes, too!

What advice would you give emerging Black creatives building their platform?

I would tell them what my mom always tells me. It’s annoying sometimes, but ultimately, I think it’s true: What’s meant for you is for you. If you’re passionate about doing something or creating something, you can make it happen. Now it may not be in the timeline you’d prefer and it may not exactly happen exactly how you picture it happening. In fact, it might be harder to establish yourself in whichever creative field you love the most, but if you’re consistent I think things can come together. Also (maybe this is contradicting) but I’d say it’s important to breaks! Things (aka social media) can get a bit overwhelming sometimes. So be gentle with yourself when you can.

How do you hope to see the creative industry evolve to foster greater inclusivity and recognition for Black creators?

I hope that everyone who wants to create a space for themselves is able to do it without always having to “pave the way” and without always being the only one in the room who looks like them. And I hope that all of the talented creatives I come across continue to thrive, doing what they love.

At Suave, we believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of amplifying Black voices, not just during Black History Month, but every day. Biobele, Samantha, and Lowe are perfect examples of how Black creativity is reshaping industries, challenging norms, and inspiring communities.

We’re so grateful to have them as part of the Suave family and can’t wait to see how they continue to shine. Here’s to celebrating Black excellence, today and always!