Mayvenn Awards $1.25M In Grants To Hairstylists For #SaveTheSalon Campaign

After launching its #SaveTheSalon grant campaign this past May, Mayvenn has awarded more than $1.25M in grants to thousands of hairstylists across the country impacted by the pandemic.

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As the largest and only Black-owned hair company and technology platform, Mayvenn was created to help hairstylists level the playing field by boosting their income via hair product sales and increased client base.

“We recognize the overall cracks in our economic systems often put Black stylists into vulnerable positions, with or without COVID-19,” said Diishan Imira, Mayvenn CEO in a press statement.

So, backed by a host of funders, Mayven raised enough funds to directly deposit $500 each in pandemic relief to 2,500 hairstylists via its InstaPay system. Mayvenn also donated masks and gloves to help lessen the burden as they work through the process of reopening and rebuilding in the midst of COVID-19.

“I knew we had to do something,” said Imira after the campaign ended in June. “We couldn’t count on our government to support these Black entrepreneurs. This wasn’t just lost corporate revenue–it was rent, groceries, utility bills, booth fees, car payments, health care, and much more. Although some companies offered the ability to delay payments, stylists and salon owners would fall behind and this would impact their businesses.”

Starting with its own $100K commitment, the company garnered 10-to-1 backing from Ben and Felicia Horowitz, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s #startsmall, Serena Williams, Ben and Felicia Horowitz, The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, and the Libra/Pritzker Family.

“Thanks to our very generous donors and support from our own community, we were able to provide this assistance,” added Imira.

Press play below for a recap of the brand’s efforts.