Ulta Beauty Highlights The 100 Most Influential Black Voices

Ulta Beauty’s MUSE 100 Celebrates Black Honorees

Ulta Beauty is putting $1 million toward amplifying and celebrating Black voices in beauty, giving $10,000 grants to 100 Black honorees as part of the MUSE 100. Standing for Magnify, Uplift, Support and Empower, Ulta announced its MUSE initiative earlier this year as part of its $25 million investment to support and amplify Black-owned brands over 2021. Keep reading to learn how the nation’s largest beauty retailer is actively working to champion diversity, equity and inclusion—and to see the MUSE 100 list of honorees.

“I’m excited and consistently encouraged by Ulta Beauty’s continued commitments,” said Tracee Ellis Ross, diversity, equity and inclusion advisor at Ulta Beauty, and 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.”

Related: Tracee Ellis Ross Joins Ulta Beauty as Diversity Advisor

Spanning hairstylists, beauty brand founders, makeup artists, activists, authors and more, each honoree’s accomplishments were reviewed and selected by the Ulta Beauty DE&I Counsel with input from a panel of industry leaders: Tracee Ellis Ross, Cosmopolitan’s beauty director Julee Wilson, entrepreneur and co-founder of Melanin Haircare Whitney White and celebrity stylist Mecca James Williams.

Each MUSE 100 honoree will receive a $10,000 grant to accelerate their continued impact and influence. 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.

In the Hair Raisers category, two Ulta Beauty Pro Team members made the list: Pekela Riley and Michelle O’Connor. What’s it like for these two pro stylists to receive this honor, and what’s next for their futures? Click here to read an interview with Pekela and Michelle.

Related: Michelle O’Connor Joins Ulta Beauty Pro Team

“Whether they are representing us onstage at an industry event, collaborating on set at a Pro Team shoot, presenting education to our community of stylists or sharing their powerful expertise and influence across platforms, we are humbled and fortunate to have Pekela Riley and Michelle O’Connor on our team,” said Ammon Carver, Chief Artistic Director for Ulta Beauty and the Pro Team.

Here’s a closer look at the MUSE 100:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Ulta Beauty (@ultabeauty)

Hair Raisers: Stylists and influencers changing the hair game one lock, braid, twist at a time

• Yene Damtew (@yenedamtew): Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner
• Vernon Francois (@vernonfrancois): Celebrity hairstylist and educator
• Tiffini Gatlin (@tiffinigatlin): CEO and founder of Latched and Hooked Beauty
• Rochelle Graham-Campbell (@therochellegraham): Content creator, CEO and founder of Alikay Naturals
• Felicia Leatherwood (@lovingyourhair): Celebrity natural hairstylist and beauty speaker
• Michelle O’Connor (@michelleoconnorbeauty): Global artistic director and hair stylist
• Jewellianna Palencia (@jewejewebee): Haircare guru
• Lacy Redway (@lacyredway): Celebrity and fashion hairstylist
• Pekela Riley (@pekelariley): Celebrity hairstylist, salon owner and educator
• Myleik Teele (@myleik): CEO and founder of curlBOX

Makeup Magicians: Those making the world more beautiful – artists and innovators in makeup

• Dev Doee (@devdoee): Makeup artist and chief creative officer of We Are Fluide
• Raisa Flowers (@raisaflowers): Makeup artist and model
• Jaleesa Jaikaran (@jaleesajaikaran): Makeup artist and content creator
• Renee Loiz (@reneeloizmakeup): Celebrity makeup artist
• Kay-Lani Martinez (@viva_glam_kay): Beauty content creator
• Darius McKiver (@neonmua): Makeup artist and content creator
• Kenneth Senegal (@kennethsenegal): Makeup artist and storyteller
• Uzo Ukaeje: Director of global artistry for NARS
• Michela Wariebi (@michelawariebi): Makeup artist and educator
• Alana Wright (@alanawrightmakeup): Makeup artist, work featured on Emmy-nominated television shows

Style Setters: Icons and trend setters in the fashion space

• Nana Agyemang (@itsreallynana): CEO and founder of EveryStylishGirl
• Kahlana Barfield Brown (@kahlanabarfield): Fashion and beauty editor
• Kellie Brown (@itsmekellieb): Content creator and founder of And I Get Dressed
• Brandice Daniel (@brandiccedaniel): Founder and CEO of Harlem Fashion Row
• Naomi Elizee (@naomielizee): Market editor at Vogue
• Gabi Gregg (@gabifresh): Style influencer and body positivity activist
• Antoine Gregory (@bibbygregory): Fashion consultant and founder of Black Fashion Fair
• Hannah Harris (@browngirlhands): Digital marketer and creator of Brown Girl Hands
• Rajni Jacques (@rajni_jacques): Global head of fashion and beauty at Snap Inc
• Kia Marie (@thenotoriouskia): Stylist and content creator

Well Makers: Leaders and founders celebrating the beauty of wellness and mental health

• Tai Beauchamp (@taibeau), Malaika Jones & Nia Jones (@itsbrowngirljane): Founders of BROWN GIRL Jane
• Aeshia DeVore Branch (@aeshiadevorebranch): Founder of Pretty Girls Sweat
• Ivirlei Brookes (@ivirlei): Actress, coach and, founder of Mavenelle
• Dr. Jessica Clemons (@askdrjess): Board-certified psychiatrist
• Alexandra Elle (@alex_elle): Author, certified breathwork coach and writer
• Denise Francis (@livenaturallylove): Motivational speaker, founder of The Self Love Organization INC
• Camesha Jones (@sistaafya): Founder of Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness
• Dr. Caroline Robinson (@crobinsonmd): Board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist
• Millana Snow (@millanasnow): Entrepreneur and health and wellness coach
• Trinity Mouzon Wofford (@trinitymouzon): CEO and co-founder of Golde

Story Shifters: Those telling the stories of Black beauty

• Deanii Scottie Beam (@scottiebeam): Media personality and model
• Sesali Bowen (@badfatblackgirl): Writer and body positivity activist
• Keah Brown (@keah_maria): Author, writer and disability activist
• Rachel Cargle (@rachel.cargle): Author, speaker and activist
• Marjon Carlos (@marjon_carlos): Journalist, author and public speaker
• Matthew A. Cherry (@matthewacherry): Film director, writer and producer
• Michaela Angela Davis (@michaelaangelad): Writer, activist and cultural commentator
• Akilah Hughes (@akilahh): Writer, comedian, YouTube personality
• Jari Jones (iamjarijones): Actress, mode45l & LBGTQ activist
• Jasmine Mans (@poetjasminemans): Poet and artist

Culture Creators: Influencers, makers and content curators driving culture today and tomorrow

• Luvvie Ajayi Jones (@luvvie): Author, speaker and podcast host
• Brooke Devard Ozaydinli (@brookedevard): Podcast host and content creator
• Alexis Feacher (@simply.alexiss): Content creator
• Joshua Kissi (@joshuakissi): Photographer, director & founder of TONL and Street Etiquette
• Devin Norelle (@steroidbeyonce): Nonbinary model, advocate and writer
• Reyna Noriega (@reynanoriega_): Author, artist and educator
• Laurise McMillian (@lauriseirl): Content strategy editor at Refinery29
• Lola Ogunnaike (@lolaogunnaike): Entertainment journalist
• Candace Reels (@candacereels): Founder of the Female Collective
• Karleen Roy (@karleenroy): Founder of The Vanity Group

Luminous Leaders: Changemakers and entrepreneurs leading and lighting the way

• Sandrine Charles (@sandrinecharles): Co-founder of Black in Fashion Council
• Sharon Chuter (@heysharonc): Founder and CEO of UOMA Beauty and Pull Up for Change
• Erica Douglas (@sisterscientist): Cosmetic chemist and founding partner of mSEED group
• Char Ellesse (@ellessechar): Founder of Girls Will Be Boys
• Bethann Hardison (@bethannhardison): Fashion model and advocate
• Aurora James (@aurorajames): Creative director, activist and founder of Brother Vellies
• Candace Marie (@marie_mag_): Social media consultant and founder of Black in Corporate
• Shirley Raines (@beauty2thestreetz): Founder of nonprofit Beauty2TheStreetz
• Nayamka Roberts-Smith (@labeautyologist): Esthetician, LABeautyologist
• Chrissy Rutherford (@chrissyford) & Danielle Prescod (@danielleprescod): Brand consultants and founders of 2BG Consulting

Executive Excellency: The bosses of beauty, movers and shakers making an impact in the industry

• Susan Akkad (@sweetpotatopie64): SVP of local & cultural innovation at The Estee Lauder Companies
• Kendra Bracken-Ferguson (@kendrabrackenferguson): Founder of BrainTrust
• Tiffani Carter (@tiffdcartom): VP Marketing at Thrive Causemetics
• Erica Culpepper: General manager at L’Oreal
• Esi Eggleston Bracey (@eebracey): EVP and COO of Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever
• Ernest James (@ernestbejames): Founder of Noire Mgmt and SVP of special projects at Digital Brand Architects
• Dana Oliver (@_danaoliver): Senior director of content and communications at StyleSeat
• Aja Robinson (@ajarobinson03): Global sales director of Fenty
• Tomi Talabi (@tomiandrizzy): Senior communications at Pinterest and founder of The Black Beauty Club
• Tristan Walker (@tristanwalker): Founder and CEO of Bevel and Walker & Company Brands

Fearless Founders: Those changing the face of beauty and taking shelves by storm

• Keenan Beasley (@keenanbeasley): Founder and CEO of Sunday ll Sunday
• Bea Dixon (@iambeadixon): Founder and CEO of The HoneyPotCo
• Shontay Lundy (@shontay_lundy): Founder of Black Girl Sunscreen
• Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye (@diarrhaxo): Founder and CEO of Ami Cole
• Jamika Martin (@jamikarose_): Founder of ROSEN Skincare
• KJ Miller & Amanda Johnson: Co-founders of Mented Cosmetics
• Yve Car Momperousse (@yveccar) & Stephane Baptiste (@kreyolessence): Founders of Kreyol Essence
• Ron Robinson (@ronrobinsoncosmeticchemist): Founder and CEO of Beauty Stat Cosmetics
• Monique Rodriguez (@exquisitemo): Founder and CEO of Mielle Organics
• Janell Stephens (@janell_stephens): Founder and CEO of Camille Rose

The Next Gen Muses: Emerging young Black leaders shaking up our world

• Zandra Cunningham (@zandraazariah): Entrepreneur and founder of Zandra Beauty
• Marley Dias (@iammarleydias): Author, activist and founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks
• Anya Dillard (@iamajdillard): Activist and founder of Next Gen Come Up
• Sage Dolan-Sandrino: Artist, public speaker and activist
• Jalaiah Harmon (@jalaiah): Dancer, choreographer & TikTok sensation
• Ziggy Mack-Johnson (@ziggymackjohnson): Stylist and designer, content creator
• Maya Penn (@mayasideas): Environmental activist, animator, and founder of Maya’s Ideas
• Andrea Reed (@andreawiththecurls): Hair content creator
• Haile Thomas (@hailethomas): International speaker, author, youth health activist
• Youma Wague: Founder of natural hair brand Youma’s Beauty