Across platforms, @monetmcmichael has amassed an audience of over 3 million followers. The Puerto Rican creator’s social media showcases makeup tips from beauty brands throughout the industry.

Ari, aka @thekinkycurl, collaborates with numerous natural hair care and styling tools brands conducting demonstrations and presenting at events. She educates her fans about some of the most popular multicultural hair products made specifically for thick, textured hair.

Licensed esthetician, @seangarrette is a highly sought-after ambassador, educator and influencer for some of the leading skincare brands in both multicultural and general market segments.

As a well-known Afro-Latina creator, @jewejewebee consistently shows up among beauty and lifestyle media lists of Latina beauty influencers to know. Her engaging content mostly focuses on naturally curly hair, beauty and fitness.

Nominated and chosen by AFAM, Telecia Farve aka @TheCurlMother, represented the company’s Hawaiian Silky brand throughout 2023. The brand’s leadership describes her a go-getter that will not settle for anything less than perfection. Her expansive knowledge and perseverance have led to the growth of the Hawaiian Silky brand.

In his executive role at First Choice Sales & Marketing, one of the most respected ethnic/multicultural sales broker firms in the U.S., Demar leads category management for multicultural haircare at Walmart. He is a trusted resource brands turn to for entry into Walmart’s Multicultural Hair care category. He’s also the trusted voice that retail buyers listen to for guidance and information about the segment.

As a 25+ year veteran of the beauty industry, Taydra has spent her career affecting change for underserved consumers and audiences in her executive roles at the world’s largest and most recognized corporations. She serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Sundial Brands, makers of Shea Moisture, the largest multicultural beauty care brand in the world, and is responsible for innovation and new product development, equity and engagement and overall marketing strategy for the brands eight categories plus Shea Moisture Men, Madam by MCJW and Mele. Her work empowers Black up and coming entrepreneurs by providing grants and support for the next wave of budding business owners.

Robyn Watkins is founder & CEO of Holistic Beauty Group. She is one of the defining developers of the beauty industry, charting the path to what the future of a better beauty industry looks like. She leads a team in best-in-class formulations and practices. Robyn is a strategic partner to her clients and has a deep understanding of the product lifecycle, and what consumers want and need. HBG’s impressive client roster includes, Smashbox, Pattern Beauty, Bread Beauty, Estee Lauder, Oui the People, EpiLogic and more.

As Director of Product Development at Beach House Group, the brand incubator for Pattern Beauty. Akuba has a 20 year history in the ethnic/multicultural beauty space, having developed beauty products for leading brands and, currently, for Pattern Beauty. At Pattern, she’s garnered recognition for developing the Oprah’s Beauty O-Ward, “Transition Mask,” and Pop Sugar Beauty Awards for Pattern’s Styling Custard. In 2020, Akuba launched the Breedlove Beauty Wellness Incubator, where cohort members engaged in a 9-week intensive
learning and mentorship program on the development and launch of DTC beauty products.

Identified among the top selling multicultural haircare brands, Camille Rose has expansive distribution throughout beauty aisles in mass, grocery, drug, beauty supply and specialty stores across the U.S., and has globally expanded to the Caribbean and throughout Africa. The brand experiences consistent year-over-year growth, and the company’s most recent media efforts include signing celebrity ambassadors, Latto and Victoria Monet.

One of the newest brands to launch in mass retail, Luna Magic has made its mark in the cosmetics space. The company wasfounded by Afro-Latina sisters, Mabel and Sharia Frias. The dynamic duo made an appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, walking away with a deal from powerhouse Shark, Barbara Corcoran. Following a successful launch in Walmart stores, the brand is holding its own with increased distribution in Walmart, entry into CVS and Target stores within the past year, and a multi-ethnic following of consumers who are becoming loyalists to the brand’s wide portfolio of cosmetic products including lashes and makeup palettes in bold, bright hues that reflect their LatinX culture. Luna Magic participates in beauty events around the country and the founders have created business conferences that award grants and mentorship to Latina entrepreneurs.

Recently securing $11 million in Series B Round funding, with multi-purpose, better-for-you grooming aids for face, beard and hair, Scotch Porter expands into 2,300 doors at CVS, 1,900 Walmart stores and 600 Target stores. The brand is founded and led by Calvin Quallis.

In 2023, Pattern complimented its wet goods collection with an electric blow dryer, specifically designed to help better dry and manage curly and coily textured hair. Sold in Ulta stores nationwide, the dryer has already garnered 5 national beauty awards for its design and performance.

Built by women of color, Fearless Fund invests in women of color-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level or series A financing. With a mission to bridge the gap in venture capital funding for women of color founders building scalable, growth aggressive companies, it has invested in beauty brands such as, Range Beauty, AMP Beauty LA, Brown Girl Jane, Hairbrella, Live Tinted and Oui The People.

The nation’s largest beauty retailer hosts cohorts consisting of early-stage BIPOC beauty brands spanning body care, fragrance, skincare, nail, and hair categories. Participants engage in a 10-week journey featuring a robust curriculum, mentorship and funding to fuel growth and prepare for retail distribution.

Created by Mielle Organics, Mi-Haus presented an elevated experience to visitors full of social media-worthy moments. The “house party,” complete with demo stations, a queen’s throne, free samples, celebrity appearances, and more, lived inside EssenceFest, and had to temporarily close due to the overwhelming number of visitors trying to participate. The aesthetic also included Mi Closet, a design imagined with a custom-built island and beauty station. Outdoors, the Mi Haus exerience included a glam basketball hoop honoring its partnership with the WNBA and participation in the All-Star games.

Scotch Porter contributes 2% of its online US sales, more than 1% of its total sales to The Scotch Porter Impact Fund, empowering communities through organizations including, America On Tech and Manifest Works. The company strategically works with partners who are providing economic mobility opportunities to underserved
communities, including MAKE USA, a packaging company that hires formerly incarcerated individuals to fight against recidivism. With nearly 70,000 lives impacted in less than a year of its existence, the Scotch Porter Impact Fund has notably supported Hurricane Ian Relief efforts, the NJ Reentry Corporation, and partnered with the Kelly
Clarkson Show to support Omaha Home For Boys as they help youth, young adults and families overcome obstacles in order to reach their full potential.

Established as the early retail leader in bringing diversity and inclusion to the beauty and personal care aisles, Target models intentionality and effectiveness in expanding and promoting BIPOC beauty brands. 

Diversifying the shelf with a combination of newer Black & LatinX entrepreneurial and tried and true legacy brands, Walmart’s hair, skin and cosmetic aisles feature affordable products that address the needs of their ethnically diverse consumer base. Variety, price and shopping convenience have made Walmart a multicultural beauty destination.

Ulta’s commitments to further champion DE&I so their guests, associates, brand partners and communities feel connected, results in a keen focus on BIPOC brand amplification and support, assortment growth, and intentionality with guest and associate experiences. In 2022, their commitments total a planned investment of $50 million, doubling that of 2021.

Joining other retailers in curating beauty selections, J.C. Penney Beauty partners with Thirteen Lune as their flagship brand, with a nationwide store rollout beginning in Fall 2022 and an expansion continuing through 2023. More than 60 beauty brands created by founders of color and allies across skincare, hair and other beauty-oriented product categories will be available in-store and online.