Ulta Beauty’s Muse 100 honors Black voices in beauty
Ulta Beauty is celebrating inspiring Black voices in beauty with a new initiative.
Muse 100 is a celebration of 100 inspiring Black voices in beauty, each of whom will be awarded a grant to further their impact, the Bolingbrook, Ill.-based retailer said.
“We understand our responsibility to inspire positive change and drive greater diversity, equity and inclusion in our industry,” Dave Kimbell, CEO of Ulta Beauty said. “The Muse 100 champions those who have succeeded in making so much beauty possible, those who represent the future and those who have inspiring stories that deserve to be shared and supported. We are proud to honor and uplift these 100 Muses and hope others find inspiration in learning their stories while celebrating with us.”
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The Muse platform — which stands for magnify, uplift, support and empower — recognizes such merits as vision, leadership and the ability to stimulate change, uphold values and champion inclusivity.
Individuals recognized include beauty brand founders, makeup artists, activists and authors, among others, who were reviewed and selected by the Ulta Beauty DE&I counsel, which includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Julee Wilson and Mecca James Williams.
“I’m excited and consistently encouraged by Ulta Beauty’s continued commitments,” Tracee Ellis Ross, DE&I advisor at Ulta Beauty, CEO and founder of Pattern Beauty said. “The Muse 100 demonstrates a significant evolution of Ulta Beauty’s mission to uplift Black voices. By shining a light on these inspiring changemakers, we empower Black communities and continue the important work of fostering foundational change.”
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Honorees will be awarded a grant of $10,000, totaling a commitment that exceeds $1 million, and featured on the Ulta Beauty Muse 100 website, the company said.
In addition, honoree stories will be shared on the beauty retailer’s social channels. Those recognized includes:
- Dev Doee Makeup artist and chief creative officer of We Are Fluide
- Raisa Flowers Makeup artist and model
- Jaleesa Jaikaran Makeup artist and content creator
- Renee Loiz Celebrity makeup artist
- Kay-Lani Martinez Beauty content creator
- Darius McKiver Makeup artist and content creator
- Kenneth Senegal Makeup artist and storyteller
- Uzo Ukaeje Director of global artistry for NARS
- Michela Wariebi Makeup artist and educator
- Alana Wright Makeup artist, work featured on Emmy-nominated television shows
- Yene Damtew Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner
- Vernon Francois Celebrity hairstylist and educator
- Tiffini Gatlin CEO and founder of Latched and Hooked Beauty
- Rochelle Graham-Campbell Content creator, CEO and founder of Alikay Naturals
- Felicia Leatherwood Celebrity natural hairstylist and beauty speaker
- Michelle O’Connor Global artistic director and hair stylist
- Jewellianna Palencia Haircare guru
- Lacy Redway Celebrity and fashion hairstylist
- Pekela Riley Celebrity hairstylist, salon owner and educator
- Myleik Teele CEO and founder of curlBOX
- Nana Agyemang CEO and founder of EveryStylishGirl
- Kahlana Barfield Brown Fashion and beauty editor
- Kellie Brown Content creator and founder of And I Get Dressed
- Brandice Daniel Founder and CEO of Harlem Fashion Row
- Naomi Elizee Market editor at Vogue
- Gabi Gregg Style influencer and body positivity activist
- Antoine Gregory Fashion consultant and founder of Black Fashion Fair
- Hannah Harris Digital marketer and creator of Brown Girl Hands
- Rajni Jacques Global head of fashion and beauty at Snap Inc
- Kia Marie Stylist and content creator
- Tai Beauchamp, Malaika Jones & Nia Jones Founders of BROWN GIRL Jane
- Aeshia DeVore Branch Founder of Pretty Girls Sweat
- Ivirlei Brookes Actress, coach and, founder of Mavenelle
- Dr. Jessica Clemons Board-certified psychiatrist
- Alexandra Elle Author, certified breathwork coach and writer
- Denise Francis Motivational speaker, founder of The Self Love Organization INC
- Camesha Jones Founder of Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness
- Dr. Caroline Robinson Board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist
- Millana Snow Entrepreneur and health and wellness coach
- Trinity Mouzon Wofford CEO and co-founder of Golde
- Deanii Scottie Beam Media personality and model
- Sesali Bowen Writer and body positivity activist
- Keah Brown Author, writer and disability activist
- Rachel Cargle Author, speaker and activist
- Marjon Carlos Journalist, author and public speaker
- Matthew A Cherry Film director, writer and producer
- Michaela Angela Davis Writer, activist and cultural commentator
- Akilah Hughes Writer, comedian, YouTube personality
- Jari Jones Actress, mode45l & LBGTQ activist
- Jasmine Mans Poet and artist
- Luvvie Ajayi Jones Author, speaker and podcast host
- Brooke Devard Ozaydinli Podcast host and content creator
- Alexis Feacher Content creator
- Joshua Kissi Photographer, director & founder of TONL and Street Etiquette
- Devin Norelle Nonbinary model, advocate and writer
- Reyna Noriega Author, artist and educator
- Laurise McMillian Content strategy editor at Refinery29
- Lola Ogunnaike Entertainment journalist
- Candace Reels Founder of the Female Collective
- Karleen Roy Founder of The Vanity Group
- Sandrine Charles Co-founder of Black in Fashion Council
- Sharon Chuter Founder and CEO of UOMA Beauty and Pull Up for Change
- Erica Douglas Cosmetic chemist and founding partner of mSEED group
- Char Ellesse Founder of Girls Will Be Boys
- Bethann Hardison Fashion model and advocate
- Aurora James Creative director, activist and founder of Brother Vellies
- Candace Marie Social media consultant and founder of Black in Corporate
- Shirley Raines Founder of nonprofit Beauty2TheStreetz
- Nayamka Roberts-Smith Esthetician, LABeautyologist
- Chrissy Rutherford & Danielle Prescod Brand consultants and founders of 2BG Consulting
- Susan Akkad SVP of local & cultural innovation at The Estee Lauder Companies
- Kendra Bracken-Ferguson Founder of BrainTrust
- Tiffani Carter VP Marketing at Thrive Causemetics
- Erica Culpepper General manager at L’Oreal
- Esi Eggleston Bracey EVP and COO of Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever
- Ernest James Founder of Noire Mgmt and SVP of special projects at Digital Brand Architects
- Dana Oliver Senior director of content and communications at StyleSeat
- Aja Robinson Global sales director of Fenty
- Tomi Talabi Senior communications at Pinterest and founder of The Black Beauty Club
- Tristan Walker Founder and CEO of Bevel and Walker & Company Brands
- Keenan Beasley Founder and CEO of Suday ll Sunday
- Bea Dixon Founder and CEO of The HoneyPotCo
- Shontay Lundy Founder of Black Girl Sunscreen
- Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye Founder and CEO of Ami Cole
- Jamika Martin Founder of ROSEN Skincare
- KJ Miller & Amanda Johnson Co-founders of Mented Cosmetics
- Yve Car Momperousse & Stephane Baptiste Founders of Kreyol Essence
- Ron Robinson Founder and CEO of Beauty Stat Cosmetics
- Monique Rodriguez Founder and CEO of Mielle Organics
- Janell Stephens Founder and CEO of Camille Rose
- Zandra Cunningham Entrepreneur and founder of Zandra Beauty
- Marley Dias Author, activist and founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks
- Anya Dillard Activist and founder of Next Gen Come Up
- Sage Dolan-Sandrino Artist, public speaker and activist
- Jalaiah Harmon Dancer, choreographer & TikTok sensation
- Ziggy Mack-Johnson Stylist and designer, content creator
- Maya Penn Environmental activist, animator, and founder of Maya’s Ideas
- Andrea Reed Hair content creator
- Haile Thomas International speaker, author, youth health activist
- Youma Wague Founder of natural hair brand Youma’s Beauty