Let's Chat Beauty Brands + HBCUs.... Again

The conversation will never be over.

In September of 2023. during Homecoming Szn, I wrote a piece about how larger, heritage beauty brands are still overlooking HBCUs and the gworls were heated. (A hit dog will always holler.)

The next day, I received so many emails from brands/pr following up on brand iniativies that they’ve launched and the logic behind why they chose which schools they chose — ultimately missing my point. The schools with ther larger awareness and following are still being picked to represent what HBCU culture is and that’s a problem.

There are 107 HBCUs…. I didn’t ask you what you did for FAMU.

I didn’t ask what you did for Hampton.

I didn’t ask what you did for Howard.

I didn’t ask what you did for Alabama State University.

I didn’t ask what you did for NCAT.

I didn’t ask what you did for Spelman.

I didn’t ask what you did for Morehouse.

Respectfully, where are the programs at LeMoyne Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee?

Where are the programs at Alcorn State University in Alcorn, Mississippi?

Where are the programs at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee?

Where are the programs at MY alma mater, Paine College in Augusta, Georgia?

I had one rep reach out to let me know that the brand chose Howard because of it’s rich history and Spelman because of her excellence surrounding Black women (rightfully so) However, I took great umbrage to those statements.

ALL HBCUs have rich history and Black excellence. If we want to talk about prestige and excellence, Cheyney University should ALWAYS be the main topic of discussion, as the school was the first HBCU in the nation founded in 1837 during slavery.

HBCUs were founded before the American Civil War as there was the intention to equip Black youths with a basic level of education and vocational training, specifically to become teachers or tradesmen. This initiative was seen as particularly important due to the prevalent racial discrimination of the time, which served as a substantial barrier preventing people of color from gaining access to PWI’s colleges and universities. This widespread discrimination shut them out from the broader educational opportunities that these institutions could provide, hence the necessity to from schools that were for us.

Overall, the point I’m making is that HBCUs for many brands should be the first priority. Look further than what meets your eye’s comfort as there are youth that are depending on these opportunities and exposure. Because my school was so off grid, I didn’t know of any of these career paths that I’ve been so fortunate to have today — and so it has become my responsibility to highlight the inequities of it all.

We’re not free until everyone is free.