Harambee Kulcha Shop remains a place of economic unity and culture

When Mary Dunnigan arrived in Baton Rouge in 1998, she came with more than a suitcase—she brought a dream to create something of her own. Fondly known today as “Ms. Mary” by generations of loyal customers, Dunnigan is the founder and CEO of Harambee Kulcha Shop, a community-rooted business specializing in fresh-dipped incense, perfume-grade body oils, and handcrafted personal care products.

Ms. Mary's entrepreneurial journey began years earlier in a bedroom in Los Angeles, California. There, she and her sister, Anita Dunnigan, launched Culture Videos, renting culturally relevant VHS tapes to local customers. “We were running a business out of a bedroom before streaming was a thing,” she said.

That small enterprise unexpectedly led to a deeper mission. A chaplain from a nearby federal prison connected with the sisters, and soon they were curating books and videos for incarcerated Rastafarian and Muslim groups. They even began visiting facilities, offering educational presentations on culture and faith.

“That experience opened our eyes to how business can also be a form of service,” said Anita Dunnigan.

But launching a retail business in Los Angeles came with financial and logistical challenges. The cost of rent alone made the idea nearly impossible. So when an opportunity arose to move to Baton Rouge, the sisters seized it.

This became the start of Harambee Kulcha Shop. Bearing the Swahili term that means "pulling together in unity," the shop was established with a spirit of community collaboration. With the name Harambee, customers and product creators ate invited to come together to achieve what they cannot accomplish alone.

From flea market booth to brick-and-mortar success

Harambee’s first shop opened on Allelo Drive, but foot traffic was limited. “Customers told me I was on the wrong side of Florida Boulevard,” she said. A breakthrough came just four blocks away at the local flea market. There, surrounded by established vendors and steady traffic, her small booth began attracting loyal customers.

The booth eventually grew into a larger space, then an ideal-sized shop within the market. Over fifteen years, she built a devoted clientele, including students and staff from Southern University, where she participated in campus market days for four years.

“Some of those students still come to the shop today,” she said. “I’ve watched their children grow up.” 

Developing her own natural product lines

Success didn’t come overnight. “There was a lot of trial and error,” said Anita Dunnigan. Hours of research led them to reliable suppliers and ingredients to formulate products.

That research eventually became two signature brands:

• Natural Roots, a hair care line that includes a crème, leave-in spray, shampoo, and hair pudding.
• Irie Kosmetics, a body care line featuring a pain relief formula and a men’s foot care kit.

“It’s easy to buy pre-made products and put your label on them. But Mary wanted to create something original—from the ingredients to the scent profiles,” she said. “It takes time and patience, but it’s worth it.”

Through meticulous research, Ms. Mary learned the science behind hair butters, essential oils, incense, and aromatherapy, how to price effectively, and the art of packaging. 

Innovation and community connection

In 2013, Ms. Mary made the bold move to leave the flea market and expand her business footprint. Her current location at 8484 Airline Highway has been home since 2015—but not without challenges. The building required extensive renovations—floors, walls, ceiling, even the air conditioning. “There were days when I thought, ‘What did I get myself into?’” she said. “But I never looked back.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Harambee Kulcha Shop stayed open while others closed. Ms. Mary developed an alcohol-free hand sanitizer, addressing product shortages during a time of crisis.

People were afraid, and sanitizer was increasingly becoming hard to find. Ms. Mary researched and developed a formula that worked. Within weeks, Harambee offered sanitizers bottled in three sizes and ready for sale.

 

Workshops, Wisdom, and a Woman-Led Team

Today, the Harambee is more than a retail space. It’s is exactly what Ms. Mary desired: a gathering place, a place of economic unity, a shop of culture.

She credits the shop’s success with her team of six women who also sell their products in the shop. “This business is woman-owned and womaned,” she said with pride. “We put our hearts and souls into every detail.”

Together, the women regularly host hands-on workshops: from waist bead classes that explore cultural symbolism, to crystal gemstone sessions focused on holistic healing.

“Our customers are the reason we do what we do,” she said. “So many of our products and ideas came directly from their suggestions.”

Now in its 27th year, Harambee Kulcha Shop remains a cornerstone of Baton Rouge’s small business community.

Each year brings new product discoveries, new customer requests, and continued growth. Ms. Mary continues offering mentorship to small batch producers when need a storefront or shelf space to expand. She’s especially interested in partners who can continue the Harambee legacy.

Story by Candace J Semien.

Store photos by Kymani Jones Jackson and Anita Dunnigan