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This entrepreneur is the first black woman to win a US patent for disposable underwear

Patricia Kayanga is an innovator, eco-friendly entrepreneur, and founder of Ohhs disposable underwear. She recently became the first black woman to hold a U.S. patent for disposable underwear made out of bamboo.

Speaking on how it feels to make history as the first black person to own a patent for disposable underwear, she shared that it is focused on a market no one paid attention to.

“I went on the patent website to see what else was out there and couldn’t see anything comparable,” she told Rollingout. In this regard, she added that she was turned down by certain manufacturers in the United States when she reached out to inquire if they could make something for her.

“I finally found someone that said ‘yes.’ We use recycled fabric and bamboo to make it work, you know, in terms of what kind of product you envision, and the process can be challenging,” she noted. “It still doesn’t hit me. It seems like a foreign world I’m living in because all I jump[ed] to do is create something for all of us, not envisioning what else that could mean.”

For every pair of underwear sold, Kayanga donates a pair of eco-friendly underwear to local domestic violence shelters. According to Rollingstone, disposable underwear has a tissue-like material similar to baby wipes but dry. It has also become a favorite of people on vacation and for women on their period – it makes the month more comforting.

The product has come in handy for those in need of feminine products, according to Kayanga. Discussing the issue of people in domestic shelters, she notes that they are running away from a challenging situation, which is quality underwear, although it is sometimes available.

She noted that underwear happens to be the second most requested item in homeless shelters, and her product can serve that need with convenience. “Our goal, honestly, is to scale across the nation. You should have access to it, no matter the circumstances,” she told Rollingout.

 

Source: face2faceafrica.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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