Glossier announces recipients of grant initiative for Black-owned beauty businesses

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Sep 7, 2020

Cosmetics brand Glossier has announced the recipients of its grant initiative for Black-owned beauty businesses. 

First unveiled on June 11, the initiative provides advisory support and $500,000 in grants to recipients, and comes as part of Glossier's "broader commitment to racial equity and inclusion," which included a donation of $500,000 to multiple organizations dedicated to fighting for racial justice. 

The company said it received nearly 10,000 applications from Black-owned businesses, before selecting its final 16 recipients, divided into "growth-stage" businesses, or those launched over 12 months ago that are working to scale operations; "early-stage" businesses, or those launched in the past 12 months working to grow a customer base; and "pre-launch," or businesses that have a finalized business plan and are set to launch within the next 12 months. 

Each growth-stage business recipient will receive $50,000, including AbsoluteJoi, a clean skincare line dedicated to women of color; Alodia Hair Care, a line of "clean and green" hair and scalp products; Golde Wellness, a Brooklyn-based health and beauty brand; Hanahana Beauty, a clean skincare and wellness brand; and Melanj Hair, a textured hair extensions company. 

Early-stage businesses will receive $30,000 each, including Brown Girl Jane, a plant-based wellness collection dedicated to women of color; skincare line epi.logic; Flaunt Body, a unisex body care line; skincare brand Kanti; Luna Magic, a beauty and lifestyle brand; Redoux, a fragrance line; and The Most, a brand dedicated to creating styling tools for natural hair. 

Finally, each pre-launch business will receive $10,000, including Deon Libra, an adaptogenic beauty brand; Eadem, a skincare line targeted at melanin-rich skin; Pound Cake, a "pro-Black, pro-fat, and pro-queer" cosmetics company; and Wavy Blue, a men's personal hair care brand for Black men. 

In addition to providing grant funding, Glossier said it will spotlight each business individually on its social media channels, partner with founders "to amplify their stories in ways that are unique to them," and provide founders with monthly advisory support by "pairing each business with a function lead at Glossier whose focus is most relevant to the founder’s interests and needs." 

"We will also facilitate business and community-building programming over the course of the next six months to foster connection both with our team and amongst grantees," Glossier said.