Our Roots

Mizani was born in Chicago in 1991 as the passion project of Terri Gardner, daughter of Edward Gardner. Edward was responsible for the media campaign that gave rise to the registration of 120,000 Black voters. This resulted in Chicago's first-ever elected Black mayor in 1983, Harold Washington. Some think of him as the first influencer.

Growing up in a family servicing the Black community, Terri Gardner saw a need gap for a salon-brand with the Black professional as the heartbeat. Her goal was to create high-quality, performing products to service the unmet needs of Black salons, stylists and consumers. Born from a demand, created by texture experts, tested with every level of curl and coil, and designed to support the style chameleons across the world. We carry and express her intention every day.