Being a Black woman in the beauty industry may look poppin’ and lit from the outside, but anyone who actually works in the industry knows the struggles we face on a daily basis. I’ve even vocally discussed some of these struggles, and how sometimes, beauty can feel very isolating, especially when you’re not invited to the events, shows, or other networking opportunities to talk with others and realize, hey, it’s not JUST me.
Well, 25 Black Women in Beauty is sort of helping solve that dilemma I’m sure we’ve all faced at least once. They celebrated their official launch with a private dinner at the Whitby Hotel, featuring some of the most powerful black female executives, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the beauty industry today. The who’s who of beauty showed out at the event in an effort to bring together a world that is often disassociated and segmented.
Created by beauty industry executives Cara Sabin and Ella T. Gorgla, 25 Black Women in Beauty’s mission is, according to a press release, “to celebrate, elevate and promote black women in the beauty industry through constructive, intentional collaboration and networking while inspiring one another toward collective greatness.” If that doesn’t sound amazing, I don’t know what is!
For a bit more information around the brand, 25 Black Women in Beauty is a collective that works to elevate black female executives, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the beauty industry. As a reminder, the global beauty industry is roughly estimated at around $600 billion, yes you read that right, and Black women, by and far, outspend the majority of our counterparts (out of necessity, but also out of want).
Women of color are projected to be the majority of all women in the workforce by 2060 and generate over $1T in consumer spending power, according to the press release.
As entrepreneurs, Black women contribute $361B in revenue to the economy, launching new companies at quadruple the rate of all women owned businesses.
“We all know that women of color represent a huge financial opportunity for the beauty industry,” said 25 Black Women in Beauty co-founder, Cara Sabin. “Ultimately, to truly connect with her, it’s imperative our influence as executives, innovators and creators is further amplified. Representation matters and it needs to be visible.”
In beauty specifically, the spending power of black women in the US is a staggering $7.5B according to an Essence study, which is 80% more in cosmetics and twice as much in skincare versus non-Black consumers. A 2018 Nielsen study also spoke to the sheer influence of Black Women noting that “Black consumer choices have a ‘cool factor’ that has created a halo effect, influencing not just consumers of color, but the mainstream as well.”
“25 Black Women in Beauty will serve as a space for collaboration, mentorship and perhaps most importantly a source of inspiration for corporate professionals, entrepreneurs and influencers,” co-founder Ella Gorgla said. “There is strength in numbers, and it’s important that we know we exist.”
I can’t wait to see more opportunities spring forth, hopefully some that will also reach back for smaller and up-and-coming influencers and businesswomen in the game. None of us got here by accident or necessarily on our own, so it’s extremely rewarding to see how we can work together to make this a norm for a group and community that do so much for the beauty industry.
