Celebrate National Black Beauty Week: August 19-25, 2024

Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide is thrilled to invite beauty brands, creators, educators, and consumers to join in celebrating National Black Beauty Week from August 19-25, 2024.

Since its debut in 2022, this week-long celebration has been dedicated to honoring and uplifting Black beauty in all its forms. The mission is to challenge outdated norms, promote inclusivity, and transform how the world sees, celebrates, and experiences Black beauty.

“Black communities continue to face race-based discrimination against their hair, facial features, and physical attributes,” said Stephenetta (isis) Harmon, founder of Sadiaa. “We are suspended from schools, denied work opportunities, and publicly marginalized. National Black Beauty Week provides a focused opportunity to redefine our perceptions and celebrate the full spectrum of Black beauty.”

The week also highlights the importance of representation in the beauty industry. “Black buying power and influence do not correlate with how we experience beauty or how we are perceived in the industry—whether as consumers or brand owners,” Harmon explained.

According to NielsenIQ, Black consumers spent $8 billion on beauty and Black cosmetics in the past year, reflecting a 10% increase in spending. McKinsey & Company reports that Black consumers account for 11.1% of total beauty spending in the U.S. However, less than 7% of beauty products on retail shelves are from Black-founded brands, and only 2.5% of all beauty brands are Black-owned. Additionally, only 8% of employees in the beauty industry are Black.

Even as Black beauty founders’ market share has grown from 2.6% to 11.6%, they continue to face significant challenges in securing capital and achieving sustainable growth. While venture capital funding for Black beauty entrepreneurs reached an all-time high, it still represents just 1.2% of total venture capital funding.

“Despite increasing demands for equity and visibility, Black beauty disparities persist,” Harmon said. “We remain underfunded, underserved, and underrepresented. There is an urgent need for more equitable representation, better product availability, and targeted marketing efforts that resonate authentically with Black consumers.”

National Black Beauty Week also serves as a platform to spotlight the pivotal role of Black-owned beauty entrepreneurs. These brands not only cater to the unique needs of Black consumers but are also setting trends that influence the broader beauty industry.

“Addressing these issues is not only a matter of social justice but also a significant economic opportunity for the entire beauty industry,” added Harmon.

Join the Movement

Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide invites beauty brands, influencers, consumers, and media to actively participate in National Black Beauty Week by supporting Black-owned businesses and using their platforms to elevate conversations around Black beauty culture and economics.

Get Involved

For more information on how to participate in National Black Beauty Week, visit nationalblackbeautyweek.com and follow @sadiaabeauty on social media.