About Us | Black Culture Candles

Lori - Founder of Black Culture Candles an artisan candle studio that crafts luxury scented candles that take you on a scent journey through joy, culture, and connection. Each candle is slow-made with non-toxic ingredients, crackling wood wicks, and etched glass—for a fragrance experience filled with memory, story, and intention.

Crafted with care. Inspired by culture. Created with intention.

Black Culture Candles began with a simple belief; that some scents do more than smell good, they take you back to a moment, a memory, or a connection.

Founded by Lori Parnell in 2021, Black Culture Candles is an award-winning artisan candle studio where scent becomes a form of storytelling. Each candle is an invitation to journey through joy, culture, and connection, and to honor the beauty found in everyday moments.

We believe scent is its own language, one that tells stories, holds memories, and brings people together.

We believe scent is a kind of language.
It tells stories. It holds memory. It connects people.

That’s why we created the Scent Journey a guided experience to help you discover the candle that speaks to you. Every scent in our collection is inspired by the shared memories and experiences that connect us:

– The warmth of Grandma’s garden
– Saturday morning cleaning day with the music turned all the way up
– The joy of childhood laughter floating through sunlit summers
– The soft quiet of winding down after a long day

Inspired by the richness of American Black culture, our candles are crafted to spark joy, nostalgia, and comfort, feelings that resonate with us all. If scent has ever stirred a memory or brought you comfort, you’re part of this story.

Our Mission

To take you on a scent journey through joy, culture, and connection—with artisan-crafted candles inspired by shared memories and thoughtfully made with eco-conscious ingredients.

Our Craftsmanship

Every candle is slow-made in small batches, blending artistry with intention.
We use:

– A vegan coconut apricot wax blend
– High-quality, phthalate-free fragrance oils
– A crackling wooden wick for a clean, calming burn
– Etched glass for a soft, ambient glow
– Sustainable materials and intentional design
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What began in the stillness of 2020 when joy felt distant and connection seemed out of reach has grown into something deeper: A space to celebrate memory and cultural legacy through scent.

Black Culture Candles is for anyone who lights a candle to shift the energy in a room.
For those who care about how a space feels, and who believe that scent tells a story.

If you’re seeking more than just a candle; something beautiful, thoughtful, and full of meaning, you’re in the right place.

Take your time.
This isn’t just wax.
It’s culture, memory, and story etched in glass.

Where will your Scent Journey take you?

Recognition & Press

We’re honored to have our story featured on platforms that celebrate creativity, culture, and craftsmanship.

– Fox8 Cleveland – Kicking It With Kenny
– Essence.com – Brand Feature
– PBS – Around Akron with Blue Green
– Akron Beacon Journal – Brand Feature
– Akron Life Magazine – Selected Best Trip Down Memory Lane
– Everyday Akron – Brand Feature

We’ve also received awards through regional business pitch competitions, including recognition from the Bounce Innovation Hub MORTAR Program for excellence in cultural storytelling and creative entrepreneurship.