Glossier recently announced the awardees of their 2023 Grant Program for Black-owned Beauty Businesses, as the U.S. celebrates Black Business Month in August, a time to highlight and support the Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs making our communities thrive year-round.
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Since 2020, Glossier has invested over $1.4 million towards visionary Black entrepreneurs in beauty in the United States and United Kingdom. This year’s six grantees will each receive $50,000 as well as guidance and mentorship on all things business from Glossier leadership, including CEO Kyle Lehy, and partner organizations such as Shopify and Google.
The Glossier Grant Program invests in Black beauty entrepreneurs to address legacies of inequity, exclusion, and barriers to fundraising. Past grantees, such as Luna Magic, have proceeded to land Shark Tank appearances and land distribution deals with national retailers, among other accolades.
Check out this year’s six Glossier Grant Program members:
Flora & Noor
Founded by Jordan Karim, Flora & Noor is the only halal-certified skincare brand made and based in the U.S. and the first halal-certified brand to be carried at Ulta Beauty. It’s a clean, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare brand for those needing to treat the skin concerns of melanin-rich skin, and those with chronic skin conditions starting with eczema and hyperpigmentation. Flora & Noor offers cleansers, serums, moisturizers, masks and more.
Kushae
OB/GYN Dr. Barbara McLaren and ex-pharmaceutical sales consultant Kimba Williams created Kushae, a non-toxic feminine care product line to provide natural and gentle intimate health support. Their balms, creams, washes, and other products are made without artificial colors and dyes and are free from sulfates and paraben, phthalates, and other potentially harsh ingredients.
Mela Vitamins
Founder Ashley Harmon spent years struggling with chronic fatigue, skin breakouts, and digestive problems until she was diagnosed with PCOS and vitamin D deficiency. She created Mela Vitamins after learning that 80 percent of Black Americans are Vitamin D deficient, which can increase health issues. The brand is the first wellness company to custom formulate supplements for people of color.
Moodeaux
Moodeaux is a fragrance brand founded by Brianna Arps in 2021 to introduce a new standard: “longer-lasting, skin-nurturing, earth-friendly blends that give subpar scents, questionable ingredients, and wasteful packaging the side eye.” Moodeaux is the first Black-owned fragrance brand to launch at Credo Beauty stores and is also a part of Sephora’s 2023 Accelerate Program.
Of Other Worlds
Of Other Worlds was founded by Simedar Jackson, who after working for nearly a decade in the beauty industry as a journalist, licensed esthetician, and spa educator, created their own skincare line. The brand’s hero product is Light Beams, a serum that’s safe for daily use and suitable for various skin types.
Soss
Founded by Vernon Yancy and Jeremiah Regis, Soss makes elevating grooming essentials for Black men. Soss offers moisturizing beard soufflé, beard butter, African black soap, and exfoliating tools including a bath and body brush, and exfoliating gloves.
Which brand are you looking forward to shopping? Leave your answers below!
