Meet Our July Grant Winner: Patrice Chappelle

Grant winner Patrice Chappelle is the founder of MelanBrand Skin, LLC., the two-year-old brand addressing the lack of safe, effective, and culturally thoughtful skincare products designed for young melanated skin. Having experienced issues finding appropriate skincare for her son, Patrice’s mission is to provide skincare products formulated specifically for Black and Brown children, including those with eczema and ensitivities.

MelanBrand Skin is rooted in love, legacy, and empowerment. Patrice exemplifies the spirit of generational entrepreneurship—creating opportunities today to inspire the trailblazers of tomorrow. Here, we sit down with Patrice to discuss why her brand has Club CHASM excited, the inspiration behind it, and how she plans to scale. 

Tell us your founder story. What have you overcome, and what drives you?

I started MelanBrand Skin out of necessity—my son suffered from dry skin, and I couldn’t find skincare products that met his needs. I searched everywhere but was disappointed by the harsh, ineffective, or unsafe options available. Driven by frustration and love, I began researching ingredients and building clean, effective skincare that worked for our family. This evolved into a mission to support other families who deserve the same.

I continue to show up daily with a smile for my son and our customers. This business is deeply personal, and that authenticity drives me forward.

What problem are you solving with MelanBrand Skin?

MelanBrand Skin addresses the lack of safe, effective, and culturally thoughtful skincare products specifically designed for young melanated skin. Traditional skincare markets often fail to consider the unique needs of Black and Brown children, especially those with sensitive skin, eczema, and ingredient sensitivities.

Why is now the right time to solve it?

Now is the right time because parents are becoming increasingly conscious of what they put on their children’s skin, seeking non-toxic, inclusive, and intentional care. There is also growing support for brands that reflect cultural identity and promote health. The skincare industry is beginning to recognize the need for diversity and representation, and MelanBrand Skin is poised to lead with products that are not only safe and clean but rooted in love, legacy, and empowerment.

Who is your target audience, and how do you know they want what you have to offer?

Our target audience is parents and caregivers of Black and Brown children ages seven to 21, especially those dealing with skin sensitivities like eczema or allergies. Many of these families are frustrated by the lack of culturally relevant options on mainstream shelves. We know they want our products because we created them based on lived experience. 

Since launching, we’ve seen demand grow through word-of-mouth, positive reviews, and repeat customers. Parents have shared how grateful they are to finally have skincare that speaks to their children’s unique needs. Our Discovery Kits regularly sell out, and we’ve built a loyal and growing audience.

What makes your business different from others in the space?

MelanBrand Skin is the only skincare brand intentionally focused on young melanated skin. While many brands cater to adults or offer generic "multicultural" options, we formulate specifically for Black and Brown children. We are not a trend. We are a necessary solution rooted in love, culture, and care.

What does that legacy look like to you, and how are you passing it on through your products?

To be a Black woman-owned brand and to be able to incorporate my son in this business is very important to me. It's really important within our community to have more businesses that we can pass down to our children and continue that path of entrepreneurship. I feel that being an entrepreneur is empowering because you're able to be your own boss. You're able to do things that you can't in the corporate world because you're under someone else's leadership.

How does your personal journey as a mother and founder influence the way you connect with your customers?

I firmly believe that people buy into your story and who you are before they buy into the product. People knowing that I was the parent that they are currently is very inspiring to a lot of people. When they look at our story, [they see] the first Black-owned mom and son duo to present a skincare brand to the marketplace. They're really interested. 

Many brands talk about inclusivity—but you’re building it into every layer of your business. What does truly inclusive skincare mean to you?

I feel that it is a brand that encompasses Black and Brown kids. Typically they are not marketed to. There are some brands that have skincare products for children, but they don't necessarily address sensitive skin or the prominent skin conditions that a lot of Black and Brown kids experience. We're making sure that we encompass all of that as well as other kids.

If a young person were to pick up one of your products and read the label or see your branding, what do you hope that they feel?

I hope that they feel a boost of confidence. We're not just selling a skincare product, we're selling skin comfort and skin confidence. I believe [it will] boost their self-confidence and make them feel comfortable in the skin that they're in, and love themselves for who they are, and how they look. 

With this grant helping you scale, what does success look like for MelanBrand Skin one year from now?

Retail is something that we definitely want to lean more into. We want to get on shelves that are inclusive and don't have an issue with having Black-owned brands in their stores. Being able to market and putting money behind what we're doing can help to boost us to the next level to get in front of a broader audience. We're not as well-known because we're just two years in. I feel like success would be being right in front of our target market.