When Kash Doll boldly proclaimed, “I’m a D girl, so I’m determined,” the Detroit native wasn’t just speaking for herself but for the countless other Detroit women who have shaped the world and culture as we know it.
The proof is clearly in the pudding considering the dynamic team-up of The Lip Bar’s founder Melissa Butler and Mia Ray, the founder of Glam-Aholic Lifestyle. The two girl bosses, products of both Detroit and Cass Technical High School, are gearing up to launch The D Girl Collection on March 13, otherwise known as 313 Day, an ode to Detroit’s area code.
The collection includes three tubes of The Lip Bar lipgloss and a Glam-Aholic Lifestyle bag. It should come as no surprise that all of the marketing for this campaign pays homage to Detroit women of the past, with the two founders draped in Coogi sweaters, gold jewelry and leather jackets, all staples within most Detroit women’s wardrobe from the ’90s to the 2000s era.
Butler, Ray and these five other women are some of our favorite D girls who are making the city proud.
1. Kash Doll
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The “For Everybody” entertainer is a proud Detroit native, referencing her hometown in many of her songs. Most recently, she can be found starring in the 50 Cent executive-produced drama, BMF, detailing the rise of Detroit kingpins Demetrius Flenory and Terry Flenory.
2. Melissa Butler
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Melissa Butler rose to fame 10 years ago when she created her signature cosmetics brand, The Lip Bar. Butler has achieved massive success over the last decade with the brand being sold at Target, Walmart, Meijer and its own flagship store in Detroit.
3. Mia Ray
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Mia Ray’s collaboration with Butler is garnering lots of exposure, but the entrepreneur isn’t new to the buzz at all. Ray’s Glam-Aholic Lifestyle brand offers an assortment of purses, suitcases and other luxurious items catered to women who align themselves with the idea of luxury and all things fabulous.
4. Kenya Moore
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Moore is known for making headlines each week from her spot on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but the actress and entrepreneur is a proud native of the motor city and is the second Black woman to be named Miss USA.
5. Diana Ross
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Miss Diana Ross is a worldwide icon who’s traveled across the globe to share her lovely voice, but guess where she got her start? Her hometown of Detroit, of course. Ross, one-third of the iconic singing group The Supremes, is also an alum of Cass Technical High School.
6. Kierra Sheard
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We all know that Kierra Sheard is literal gospel music royalty as the daughter of Karen-Clark Sheard, but she’s Detroit royalty, as well. Sheard graduated from Wayne State University and is one of the most revered gospel artists in the music industry.
7. Loni Love
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We’ve all come to adore the comedic talent for her authenticity and stellar skillset as a media personality, but something many may not know is that Loni Love is from Detroit. Also a product of Cass Technical High School, Love is a television host and comedian known for empowering people just as much as she makes them laugh.
Detroit women have made a mark on Black culture in ways that we can never repay them enough for. The furs, diamonds, alligator boots and Cartier frames that have traveled from the city to mainstream rap culture only touch the surface of the impact these women have made.
