African-American and Woman-Owned Reflections By Zana Launches ID Badges For Essential Healthcare Workers Of Color

Reflections By Zana is launching a unique line of workplace accessories for front line health care professionals required to work during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Their distinctive ID badge reels include hand-painted wooden, enamel, and PVC badges featuring images of Black professionals.

Creator Aneesha Smith, a nurse with 19 years of experience, says the badges are necessary because hospital workers are repeatedly questioned by patients to clarify their titles, and are often mistaken with one another.

“We are one of the few disciplines that have to work during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Smith says. “We don’t have a choice when it comes to working from home, but these badges do provide the opportunity for us to choose how we’re being represented and acknowledged on the job.”

Smith’s two daughters inspired her to create these ID badges. Both are digital artists, and in showcasing their creations, Smith noticed their digital art pieces didn’t usually depict characters that mirrored them. “I encouraged them to create art that reflected themselves,” she says, “That’s why I utilized ‘Reflections’ in my business name.”

The full work-related product line features melanin-inspired items, such as retractable badge ID holders, stethoscope charms, work bags, face coverings, and classy compression socks. Travel items include passport covers, luggage straps/tags and travel bags. Reflections By Zana also offers umbrellas, cell phone cases, and items inspired by Greek fraternities and sororities.

Collections include, Queens Stand Up!, Loc’d Goddess, #blackout, Mommy & Me, BNR (Black Nurses Rock!), Graduation Station, and Throwback—an homage to movie culture.

Smith operates the business with her husband. Their goal is simple: become known as the go-to provider of numerous and much needed items representative of professionals of color. The badges feature images for all careers, ranging from health care to activism, and have expanded into other professions including social work and law.

Smith says sales of her products are already growing organically. “Customers are buying badges and then levelling up with new badges when they receive new degrees,” she says, “This has really become a badge of honor for professional women, something I’m so proud of.”