Let me start by saying that I didn’t choose esthetics; esthetics chose me! It allowed me to express myself in ways I wasn't always able to when growing up. It became the foundation of who I am today. Imagine dropping a glass and having it shatter on the floor— that glass represents my sense of self. Beauty and my newfound love for the esthetic field were the glue that put that glass back together and allowed me to drink from it once more. From a young age, the self-expression I exhibited wasn’t something I was permitted to explore, primarily because I am a gay Black man. Growing up in Suffolk, Virginia, there were already limited avenues for a Black man without assumptions of being gay. Feminism wasn’t an ideology that was well-accepted during my childhood. Not only did I go against the grain, but I did it loudly despite any verbal and mental abuse I received from it. The TV shows I watched, the way I engaged with friends and family, and my desire to embrace traits considered "feminine" made it clear: I was different, and my passion for beauty was unwavering. There is a profound power in my dream of being a Black male esthetician. Throughout my life, I have been a minority— from spending the first decade and a half of my childhood in Virginia to graduating high school as a Black male in Japan to moving to ATL and being the only Black male student in the esthetician program. Representing a community that is often unseen is powerful. Far too often, darker complexions are overlooked and not catered to in this industry. Representation is crucial for advancing diversity and inclusivity in makeup and skincare. I firmly believe that we cannot progress and promote diversity while adhering to heteronormative and anti-feminist ideologies in the makeup industry. Simply put, makeup and skincare are not just for women; beauty is not gender-specific. There is a growing demand for male grooming, skincare, and makeup. According to statistics, the male aesthetics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% from 2024 to 2030. Including Black men in this industry will highlight the need for products tailored to darker skin tones. Research has not only reassured me that I’m heading in the right direction but has also energized me to advocate for BIPOC and men in the aesthetics field. Who better to contribute to this effort than a gay Black male in a female-led industry? Beauty has transformed my life. With this scholarship, I am dedicated to paying that forward and transforming the lives of many others while being a solid diverse representation of what it means to shine in your own skin. Now, all of this is easier said than done as I can already see the strong need for ongoing education that is specific to people of color after I graduate due to the lack of my current school curriculum. Having the opportunity to impact clients’ lives by enhancing their beauty from a holistic perspective is something I deeply cherish. With this scholarship, I chose to continue this journey down this career path— because the aesthetics industry tapped me on the shoulder and chose me!

Let me start by saying that I didn’t choose esthetics; esthetics chose me! It allowed me to express myself in ways I wasn't always able to when growing up. It became the foundation of who I am today. Imagine dropping a glass and having it shatter on the floor— that glass represents my sense of self. Beauty and my newfound love for the esthetic field were the glue that put that glass back together and allowed me to drink from it once more. From a young age, the self-expression I exhibited wasn’t something I was permitted to explore, primarily because I am a gay Black man. Growing up in Suffolk, Virginia, there were already limited avenues for a Black man without assumptions of being gay. Feminism wasn’t an ideology that was well-accepted during my childhood. Not only did I go against the grain, but I did it loudly despite any verbal and mental abuse I received from it. The TV shows I watched, the way I engaged with friends and family, and my desire to embrace traits considered "feminine" made it clear: I was different, and my passion for beauty was unwavering. There is a profound power in my dream of being a Black male esthetician. Throughout my life, I have been a minority— from spending the first decade and a half of my childhood in Virginia to graduating high school as a Black male in Japan to moving to ATL and being the only Black male student in the esthetician program. Representing a community that is often unseen is powerful. Far too often, darker complexions are overlooked and not catered to in this industry. Representation is crucial for advancing diversity and inclusivity in makeup and skincare. I firmly believe that we cannot progress and promote diversity while adhering to heteronormative and anti-feminist ideologies in the makeup industry. Simply put, makeup and skincare are not just for women; beauty is not gender-specific. There is a growing demand for male grooming, skincare, and makeup. According to statistics, the male aesthetics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% from 2024 to 2030. Including Black men in this industry will highlight the need for products tailored to darker skin tones. Research has not only reassured me that I’m heading in the right direction but has also energized me to advocate for BIPOC and men in the aesthetics field. Who better to contribute to this effort than a gay Black male in a female-led industry? Beauty has transformed my life. With this scholarship, I am dedicated to paying that forward and transforming the lives of many others while being a solid diverse representation of what it means to shine in your own skin. Now, all of this is easier said than done as I can already see the strong need for ongoing education that is specific to people of color after I graduate due to the lack of my current school curriculum. Having the opportunity to impact clients’ lives by enhancing their beauty from a holistic perspective is something I deeply cherish. With this scholarship, I chose to continue this journey down this career path— because the aesthetics industry tapped me on the shoulder and chose me!