Ulta Beauty announces the MUSE 100, a celebration of 100 inspiring Black voices in beauty, each of whom will be awarded with a MUSE 100 grant to further their impact. Representing the next chapter of its MUSE platform to Magnify, Uplift, Support and Empower Black voices in beauty, the MUSE 100 is another tangible way the leading retailer is actively working to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“We understand our responsibility to inspire positive change and drive greater diversity, equity and inclusion in our industry,” says CEO Dave Kimbell. “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.”
The MUSE 100 recognizes attributes that include vision, leadership, and the ability to stimulate change, uphold values and champion inclusivity. Spanning beauty brand founders, makeup artists, activists, authors and more, the honorees’ accomplishments were reviewed and selected by the Ulta Beauty DE&I Counsel with input from a panel of industry leaders: Ulta Beauty’s diversity, equity and inclusion advisor Tracee Ellis Ross, Cosmopolitan’s beauty director Julee Wilson, entrepreneur and co-founder of Melanin Haircare Whitney White and celebrity stylist Mecca James Williams.
The honorees will each be awarded a MUSE 100 grant of $10,000 to accelerate their continued impact and influence, totaling a commitment that exceeds $1 million from Ulta Beauty. These funds are in addition to the $25 million DE&I commitments made by the company in February of this year.
“I’m excited and consistently encouraged by Ulta Beauty’s continued commitments,” says Ross, who’s also CEO and founder of PATTERN Beauty. “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.”
The 100 honorees are:
Makeup Magicians: Those making the world more beautiful – artists and innovators in makeup
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
Hair Raisers: Stylists and influencers changing the hair game one lock, braid, twist at a time
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
Style Setters: Icons and trend setters in the fashion space
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
Well Makers: Leaders and founders celebrating the beauty of wellness and mental health
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
Story Shifters: Those telling the stories of Black beauty
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
Culture Creators: Influencers, makers and content curators driving culture today and tomorrow
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
Luminous Leaders: Changemakers and entrepreneurs leading and lighting the way
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
Executive Excellency: The bosses of beauty, movers and shakers making an impact in the industry
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
Fearless Founders: Those changing the face of beauty and taking shelves by storm
Keenan Beasley, Founder and CEO of Sunday 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
The Next Gen Muses: Emerging young Black leaders shaking up our world
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
In addition to being featured on the Ulta Beauty MUSE 100 website, honoree stories will be shared on Ulta Beauty’s social channels and further amplified via the company’s media partnerships to celebrate individual ventures and inspire others.
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.