United States
Celebrating the Black Influence on…Hair Care
A panel discussion for Black History Month hosted leaders from The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), Bumble and bumble, Aveda, and media.
Company Feature, Mar 20, 2024
On February 26, 2024, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) and the Network of Black Leaders and Executives, in partnership with Bumble and bumble and Aveda, hosted a panel discussion, “The Black Influence On…Hair Care,” as part of its 2024 Black History Month celebration.
The event included a dynamic panel of Black women leaders in media, government, and the hair care industry and was attended bymore than 100 in-person and virtual guests, including employees and journalists from top-tier publications.
Pictured: “The Black Influence on…Hair Care” guest speakers, Corey Reese, and event planning committee
The Power of Centering Black Hair Stories
The event kicked off with welcome remarks by Corey Reese, Senior Vice President, Global General Manager, Bumble and bumble, at the House of Bumble salon. Corey reminded those in attendance of the historical significance of salons and barber shops to the Black community as safe havens where culture, community, and hair trends have been cultivated for generations.
The discussion was moderated by Juanita Tolliver, MSNBC Analyst and Crooked Media Podcast Host, who skillfully created space for each panelist to share their expertise and vision for the future of inclusion and representation in the hair care industry.
Pictured: Corey Reese delivering welcome remarks
The panel hosted some of the industry’s most vocal and expert advocates for inclusive beauty and hair, including Jessica Cruel, Editor-in-Chief, Allure, and creator of their popular “Melanin Edit” brand; Felicia Burrows, Editorial Hairstylist and Bumble and bumble partner; Renee Gadar, Global Artistic Director, Texture, Aveda, who spoke to her R&D consulting work to shape products that are informed by the needs of Black consumers; and NY State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who sponsored the Texture Education Collective legislation, championed by Bumble and bumble and Aveda, a recently enacted New York law mandating textured hair education be included in cosmetology school education and board testing.
Pictured (left to right): Juanita Tolliver, Jessica Cruel, Renee Gadar, NY State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solanges, and Felicia Burrows
The Power of Creating Safe Spaces
Considering the panelists’ unique insights, boldness, and candor, the audience’s enthusiasm, personal testimonies, and questions, and the gourmet breakfast served by Black-owned caterer Feed Me More, “The Black Influence on…Hair Care” event was a testament to the power of creating safe spaces that center on the diverse experiences of historically marginalized communities.
