Black-owned outdoor business spotlight: The 1854 Cycling Company
In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting one Black-owned outdoor business per day. You can read the complete series here.
1854 Cycling company is not just about making great bikes. Founder Brandale Randolph, above, has a mission to end generational poverty and recidivism by creating living wage employment for the formerly incarcerated, particularly women.
Courtesy
Owner: Brandale Randolph
Year founded: 2016
What we do
The 1854 Cycling Company is a premium bicycle, e-bike, and apparel company founded to create employment opportunities for those who have formerly been incarcerated. We build technologically-advanced bicycles, electric-assisted bikes, and soon electric motorcycles. Our employees assemble and service our bicycles at our Framingham, Massachusetts, HQ, earning a living wage in a sustainable, safe, and nurturing work environment.
What makes us special in the outdoor industry?
We may be the only Black-owned bike brand in the U.S. But my greatest achievement would be to see this small brand grow into its own culture and community. When people see '1854' on an ebike, motorcycle, t-shirt, or sweatshirt, I want them to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves as we are a company that is founded on a mission to make the world a better place to live.
