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Black hair. The crown. It is political. It is an integral part of our identity. From one day to the next, it reflects our moods, our style, and our heritage. When Africans were brought to the shores of the U.S., hair was one of the few cultural traditions we were able to protect—woven into braids that mapped passageways to freedom, a symbol of endurance and pride. Often imitated, never duplicated.
Fast forward to 2009 in Chicago, where a bold young woman, Chris-Tia Donaldson, faced towering challenges in her battle with cancer and chose to focus on restoration. With renewed purpose, she created Thank God It’s Natural (TGIN). Her story left a lasting impact—not only in the retail space but also in philanthropy. And in 2019, after a life well lived, she passed the torch to her sister, Dr. Piper A. Farrell, COO, and her niece, Aris Singleton, CEO, who has worked in every position at TGIN and understands the company from the ground up.
Stepping into TGIN headquarters feels like running fingers through freshly coiled hair—full of life, resilience, and intention. The scent of Green Tea Leave-In Conditioner lingers through the halls, wrapping itself around the space like the final touch of a perfectly styled twist-out—subtle, nourishing, and ever-present. In the heart of Chicago, where every block carries a story of perseverance, Chris-Tia’s legacy stretches like well-moisturized curls, upheld by Farrell and Singleton. TGIN is more than a brand; it is a textured tapestry of love, sacrifice, and the enduring beauty of Black womanhood.
Many questioned whether they could carry on Chris-Tia’s vision, but they never wavered.
“People doubted us,” Farrell admits. “They thought we couldn’t do it. Wondered if the fire would dim, if the legacy would wither. But they didn’t know the steel woven into our spirits, the unyielding love that binds us.”
When the calls came—landlords, retailers, voices heavy with doubt—Farrell did not hesitate.
“Do you know who we are?” she declared. “We will push on. We will make this happen.”
And so they did.
Chris-Tia’s legacy remains foundational to TGIN, but it is Farrell and Singleton who now shape its future. Under their leadership, the company has not only survived but thrived, advancing with new innovations and community initiatives. Her spirit lingers—not just in memory, but in the very fabric of TGIN’s daily operations. The weight of her leadership and vision is still felt, guiding every decision and inspiring every innovation.
Her picture, grand and commanding, watches over the office—a guardian of the dream she refused to let die.
“Walking in that Monday after she passed, seeing her photo on the wall—it was like standing in the eye of a storm,” Singleton reflects. “But that picture, it’s still there. It’s not just a reminder of who we lost. It’s a reminder of who we are.”
“I miss her every single day,” Singleton shares. “I remember the way she walked into a room—always poised, always determined. She knew what she wanted for this brand, for Black women. And now, we carry that same energy forward.”
Their mother, the first Black female Certified Public Accountant in Michigan, was the first to instill in them the principles of strength and perseverance.
“She walked through doors that were never meant to be open for her, and she left them open for us,” Farrell says. “She taught us that there is no room for fear in the pursuit of purpose.”
That purpose runs deep in their veins, shaping the way they carry Chris-Tia’s legacy forward.
“Chris-Tia built more than a brand,” Farrell adds. “She built a space where Black women could see themselves and be celebrated.”
Donaldson’s vision created a movement, but it is Farrell and Singleton’s leadership that continues to drive it forward.
"She put me in every department of the company," Singleton recalls. "I didn’t know it then, but she was preparing me to lead. After I graduated from college, I said, 'Why can't I just focus on finance? I have a bachelor's in finance.' And she told me, 'You need to know this, you need to know that.' I had no idea that one day I would be CEO of the organization she built."
"She didn’t just make products," Singleton explains. "She created something that told us, ‘You are seen, you are valued, and your hair—your crown—is beautiful just as it is.’"
They continue to build on this vision by expanding the brand with innovative products, including the new Miracle Styling Collection.
"Chris-Tia traveled to Bali after her first battle with breast cancer," Singleton recalls. "She spent time there, learning about natural ingredients, healing, and wellness. When she returned, she told us about these powerful elements, not knowing that years later, we would create a product line inspired by that journey."
"She would have been so proud," Singleton continues. "Every product we release now is a love letter to her. It’s our way of saying, ‘We hear you. We see your vision. And we’re making sure the world sees it too.’"
In the wake of corporations rolling back diversity initiatives, Black-owned businesses like TGIN face renewed challenges. Large retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Amazon have scaled back their DEI commitments, sparking public backlash and organized boycotts.
"We hear talk of boycotts," Singleton says, "but if we stop shopping everywhere, Black brands will be the ones who suffer. So, we focus on targeted buying. We support our own. We make sure that wherever we stand, we stand for Black business."
Beyond the shelves, TGIN is also a pillar of community care. The company does not merely exist to sell products—it exists to serve. The TGIN Foundation, born from Chris-Tia’s battle with breast cancer, remains steadfast in its mission to fight for Black women’s health.
"We have a 42% higher chance of dying from breast cancer than our counterparts," Farrell states. "That’s not just a statistic. That’s our sisters, our mothers, our friends. And that’s why we’re taking the fight directly to our people."
With the launch of the Boob Bus, the foundation is ensuring that women who have been overlooked for too long are finally seen.
"We’re bringing education and screenings right to them," Farrell continues. "No more waiting, no more disparities. Just action."
It is in this mission, in this purpose, that the legacy of their mother, their sister, and their own determination intertwine. Their mother, who once ran a campaign office with a baby on her hip, taught Donaldson and Farrell that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility.
It is with that knowledge and strength that Chris-Tia Donaldson worked tirelessly until her final days, showing them what it means to fight for something greater than yourself. And now, as Farrell and Singleton carry the mantle, they do so with the weight of history at their backs and the fire of the future in their hands.
So they rise.
Each day, they step forward—not just as business leaders, but as torchbearers of a legacy built on love, struggle, and triumph.
TGIN is more than a brand; it is a testament to perseverance, an emblem of Black excellence, and a movement that refuses to be dimmed.
They look at Chris-Tia’s photo and nod.
The fire burns on.
Farrell leaves us with a final message, one that encapsulates the resilience and determination that built TGIN.
"If you are looking for something to believe in, if you are looking for something to stand behind—bet on us. Bet on Black women. Bet on TGIN."