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Royal Oils and Pantene Gold Series Award 11 Black Women ‘Rooted in Science’ Scholarships
The annual scholarship will help them pursue degrees in STEM fields.
Procter & Gamble’s Royal Oils by Head & Shoulders and Pantene Gold Series just awarded 11 Black women scholarship to support their education at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and UNCF (United Negro College Fund)-member schools.
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The two beauty brands and retailers partnered with CVS Beauty to create the scholarship program which launched last fall to help Black women pursue degrees in STEM fields.
Science plays a major role in the development and efficacy of beauty products. Black scientists worked alongside Black dermatologists and hairstylists to develop Pantene’s Gold Series which is specifically formulated for to meet the needs of textured hair. Royal Oils was also developed after decades of innovation, technology, and on-going research of textured hair.
“On behalf of P&G, we send a huge congratulations to the recipients of the Rooted in Science Scholarship,” said Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, P&G Beauty, Principal Scientist and alum of Southern University and A&M College and Louisiana State University. “As a Black woman scientist, the team of scientists behind Royal Oils and Gold Series and I are especially honored to recognize and support the next generation of young Black women pursuing a career in the STEM fields. As someone who has received scholarships to help fund my STEM journey, I understand the importance of a program like this, so we hope that this scholarship fund can help make it a little easier for students to achieve their greatness.”
Rooted in Science Scholarship awardees will each receive up to $5,000 a year for up to two years for expenses associated with pursuing their degree.
Recipients include: Laura Nicole Hairston, Hampton University; Dasia Heard, Hampton University; Amaryah Lockett, Kennesaw State University; Zenobia Nicula Early, LeMoyne-Owen College; Oluwapelumi Oguntade, Marquette University; Robynn Harrison, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Destiny Jones, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Desiree Brown, Oakwood University; Kirsten Briana Moore, Tougaloo College; Keona Latrice Hughes, University of Missouri – Saint Louis; and Emree Downey, Washington & Jefferson College.
“The Rooted in Science Scholarship is a next step on a STEM path that enables more Black women to make a difference in lives of others—both within their communities and across our nation and around the world. That’s particularly important right now given the current health crisis,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.
This next round of award up to $200,000 more in scholarships to Black women pursuing a degree in STEM subjects at HBCUs and UNCF-member schools.
The second annual Rooted in Science Scholarship will award more than 20 scholarships and is set to open Aug. 3 through Sept. 28. Recipients will be announced mid-December 2021. More information on how to apply and eligibility requirements will be available at uncf.org/scholarships in the summer.
