ESSENCE.com partnered with the popular site, Black Men With Beards, to bring you some of the best bearded eye candy around. Need a midday pick me up? These fine gentlemen might just do the trick!
We chatted with BMWB founder, Quinn Gordon, about how the site came to be and the incomparable popularity and love of Black bearded men.
When was Black Men With Beards founded and what was inspiration behind the site?
I founded the site after the shooting death of Michael Brown in 2014. After a conversation with a friend of mine, who was dealing with discrimination in Corporate America because of his beard, I was inspired to do something. I wanted to create a platform that specifically catered to the black community, particularly black men.
What has been the most surprising facet of running such a popular brand?
The most surprising facet of the site and what we’ve done since starting it has been the love and support we’ve received all over the world. The response has been overwhelming to say the least and to hear that we’ve inspired men to own their bodies by growing their beards let’s us know that we are making an impact. We had no idea we were filling a void by empowering and motivating not only men but women, too. All we wanted to do was create a space for Black men with beards to dispel the negative Black male stereotype and in assist in turning that perception around so that they’re seen in the most positive light possible.
What’s next for BMWB?
We often joke that we want to become the ESSENCE for black men. We’re expanding our content with hopes to become a full men’s lifestyle brand publication. We have a duty to the communities we serve, so more events with a purpose and as early as 2018, we will be launching a BMWB product line.
Check out the amazing eye candy below!
Name: Bismark Adomako
Age: 29
Located: Toronto, Canada
Instagram: @mr_adomako
What is the best compliment a woman has ever given you on your beard? “I’m usually not a fan of men with beards but I love how sharp, clean and well put together your beard is.”
Name: Aaron West aka “Aro PerFit”
Age: 31
Location: Houston, TX
Instagram: @AroPerFit
Why did you decide to grow a beard and when did the journey begin? My beard journey began when the clippers that I was using to trim my beard broke. I would always have intentions of buying new ones but every time I was out I would get compliments on my new thicker beard so I figured “what the hay” I’ll see where this can go.
What is your relationship status? Single
Name: Erick Mendoza
Age: 22
Location: New York
Instagram: @erickmendoza553
What is the best compliment a woman has ever given you on your beard? “Wow it’s so full and it looks so soft and healthy!”
That’s definitely the best compliment because I take huge pride in my beard and and I do believe it’s an expression of who I am/how I carry myself.
Name: Andre
Age: N/A
Location: NYC
Instagram: @mrdrehimself
What is the best compliment a woman has ever given you on your beard? “Your beard smells and looks amazing!”
Name: Chris Charles
Age: 43
Location: North Carolina
Instagram: @creativesilence
Why did you decide to grow a beard and when did the journey begin? I decided to grow a beard because after serving 12 years in the Army and not being allowed to have one, I felt it was just another thing I’d indulge in to show my individuality once I was out. Now that I’ve had one for some time, I just can’t see myself without it!
Name: Keith Williams
Age: 26
Location: Buffalo, NY
Instagram: @1080Keith
Why did you decide to grow a beard and when did the journey begin? I started growing my beard in November 2014, for “No Shave November.” Just to see how thick my beard could get. By the time the next “NSN” came around I was aware of the real meaning behind it. Since then, I’ve donated the money I’d typically use for hair cuts, one months worth, to a cancer charity.
Name: Percy Hicks
Age: 44
Location: New York
Instagram: @Eclecticlifestylesbypercyhicks
Why did you decide to grow a beard and when did the journey begin? My hair line began receding fast at the age of 25 so I thought what better facial accessory than a beard.
Name: George Myrie
Age: 37
Location: Queens, NY
Instagram: @stuylin
What is the best compliment a woman has ever given you on your beard? The best/funniest compliment I’ve heard thus far was when a woman said, “oh, your beard has waves? The hair on your chin is better than the hair a lot of folks have on their heads.”
Name: EKAMBY henri aka “henrizereal
Age: 33
Location: Paris
Instagram: @Henrizereal and @mesyeuxsurtoi
What is your relationship status? Sorry ladies, I’m not single.
Name: Jawan Allen Hawkins
Age: 23
Location: Maryland
Instagram: Juan_Hawkins
What’s your relationship status? Single.
Name: Ser Baffo
Age: 34
Location: From Brooklyn NY, currently making my bed in Los Angeles.
Instagram: @SerBaffo
What is the best compliment a woman has ever given you on your beard? One of the best compliment I’ve ever received regarding my beard was also kind of awkward, I was approached at the mall by a group of ladies who said they wished every man in their lives including their husband(s) and son(s) had a beard like mine, then one of ladies proceeds to FaceTime her man in the mall to show him how good the beard looks. She told him it smelled like what she imagined heaven to smell like. I laughed…real hard. Huge compliment but also very awkward. I guess they’re just realllllly open with one another.
Name: Franklin Moss Jr
Age: 34
Location: Fort Worth, Tx
Instagram: @Quite_Frank
What is the best compliment a woman has ever given you on your beard? The best compliment I received was a bit racy but it was strangely funny. While standing on a cruise ship elevator, two random women grabbed my beard and one tells me, “your beard is so soft, we love men with beards” and the other says, “I love your beard, (while grabbing it) I wish I could soak it.”
Name: OG
Age: 31
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Instagram: @the_og
Why did you decide to grow a beard and when did the journey begin? I am a strong believer in the saying that, “boys grow up to become their fathers.” As a youth, my classically dapper father was my style icon. He heavily influenced the way I am today as I believe that a beard is the ultimate expression of masculinity. I grew my beard out 10 years ago and never looked back.
Name: Eric Blaylock aka EQuality
Age: 38
Location: Houston TX
Instagram: @equalityhue
What is the best compliment a woman has ever given you on your beard? The best compliment a woman has ever given me on my beard was that she couldn’t wait to see what my beard would look like as it begins to gray because my beard would only get better with time.
