Beauty Meets Ambition: How Dark & Lovely Champions Black Female Empowerment.
An event aimed at empowering young Black women will take place on the historic grounds of Howard University on October 17th. At Howard’s Blackburn University Center’s Digital Auditorium during the esteemed HU Ideas Fest, Dark & Lovely is hosting the masterclass, “A Black Girl’s Guide to Making Bold Moves”, for the second consecutive year.
This year’s panel discussion will be led by Yandy Smith-Harris, named the NAACP’s most influential person of 2020. The illustrious career of Smith-Harris spans from executive roles in the music business, working with icons like LL Cool J and 50 Cent, to pioneering the Love & Hip-Hop franchise, and even dabbling in film as an executive producer. Her involvement in the social justice organization, Until Freedom, in addition to her numerous professional accolades, shows her commitment to racial and economic justice.
The panel includes Jessica Brown, President of the College Gurl Foundation, Nia Naylor, President of the Howard University Student Association, and Tenaj Ferguson, Marketing Director at Dark & Lovely. By joining forces, they hope to leave attendees with more than just inspiration. In addition to expressing one’s own personal brand, navigating pivotal career moments with confidence, and mentoring effectively, the masterclass offers practical tools and insights.
It is not just the masterclass that concludes this event tailored specifically to Black female college students and young professionals. An exclusive networking reception will be held for attendees. In addition to receiving professional headshots for free, they will be able to enjoy refreshments as well. Additionally, beauty enthusiasts can choose a bold hair color from the Dark & Lovely Fade Resist Color Bar replete with giveaways and gift bags.
It should be noted, however, that this masterclass is not a standalone initiative. ‘Building Beautiful Futures’ is Dark & Lovely’s larger mission. As a pioneer of Black beauty since 1972, Dark & Lovely has created innovative products that cater exclusively to the needs of Black women. Through ‘Building Beautiful Futures,’ the brand seeks to bridge the “opportunity gap” by providing scholarships, mentorship, and career coaching opportunities to Black female college students and young professionals.
An opportunity gap is not a mere term, but a stark reality that dictates individuals’ career and education pathways based on their birth circumstances. In response to this widening gap, Dark & Lovely has dedicated itself to paving a way for over 1,000 young Black women in a world where opportunities may seem scarce.
Black women’s individuality has been celebrated by Dark & Lovely for 50 years. Howard University’s masterclass reaffirms its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders.
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