When considering the accomplishments of black women in the cosmetic industry, what three women come to mind? Trailblazers such as Madam CJ Walker, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty, and Tracee Ellis Ross have undoubtedly shaped the cosmetic industry by creating products for curly hair. Their significant contributions to the industry designing products for curly hair and skin inspire me to follow in their footsteps. After obtaining my cosmetology license, I aspire to major in chemistry and minor in marketing to gain knowledge about the chemicals in hair products and learn how to market my future products. Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. Freshman year, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. To greater serve the textured hair community my hair product line will inspire youth and bridge the gap of inequity in the hair industry. Obtaining an education at a collegiate level will provide me with the opportunities to work alongside hair companies. These opportunities will help my journey towards becoming a cosmetic chemist. As a quote once said be the change you wish to see in the world.

When considering the accomplishments of black women in the cosmetic industry, what three women come to mind? Trailblazers such as Madam CJ Walker, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty, and Tracee Ellis Ross have undoubtedly shaped the cosmetic industry by creating products for curly hair. Their significant contributions to the industry designing products for curly hair and skin inspire me to follow in their footsteps. After obtaining my cosmetology license, I aspire to major in chemistry and minor in marketing to gain knowledge about the chemicals in hair products and learn how to market my future products. Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. Freshman year, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. To greater serve the textured hair community my hair product line will inspire youth and bridge the gap of inequity in the hair industry. Obtaining an education at a collegiate level will provide me with the opportunities to work alongside hair companies. These opportunities will help my journey towards becoming a cosmetic chemist. As a quote once said be the change you wish to see in the world.

When considering the accomplishments of black women in the cosmetic industry, what three women come to mind? Trailblazers such as Madam CJ Walker, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty, and Tracee Ellis Ross have undoubtedly shaped the cosmetic industry by creating products for curly hair. Their significant contributions to the industry designing products for curly hair and skin inspire me to follow in their footsteps. After obtaining my cosmetology license, I aspire to major in chemistry and minor in marketing to gain knowledge about the chemicals in hair products and learn how to market my future products. Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. Freshman year, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. To greater serve the textured hair community my hair product line will inspire youth and bridge the gap of inequity in the hair industry. Obtaining an education at a collegiate level will provide me with the opportunities to work alongside hair companies. These opportunities will help my journey towards becoming a cosmetic chemist. As a quote once said be the change you wish to see in the world.

When considering the accomplishments of black women in the cosmetic industry, what three women come to mind? Trailblazers such as Madam CJ Walker, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty, and Tracee Ellis Ross have undoubtedly shaped the cosmetic industry by creating products for curly hair. Their significant contributions to the industry designing products for curly hair and skin inspire me to follow in their footsteps. After obtaining my cosmetology license, I aspire to major in chemistry and minor in marketing to gain knowledge about the chemicals in hair products and learn how to market my future products. Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. Freshman year, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. To greater serve the textured hair community my hair product line will inspire youth and bridge the gap of inequity in the hair industry. Obtaining an education at a collegiate level will provide me with the opportunities to work alongside hair companies. These opportunities will help my journey towards becoming a cosmetic chemist. As a quote once said be the change you wish to see in the world.

When considering the accomplishments of black women in the cosmetic industry, what three women come to mind? Trailblazers such as Madam CJ Walker, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty, and Tracee Ellis Ross have undoubtedly shaped the cosmetic industry by creating products for curly hair. Their significant contributions to the industry designing products for curly hair and skin inspire me to follow in their footsteps. After obtaining my cosmetology license, I aspire to major in chemistry and minor in marketing to gain knowledge about the chemicals in hair products and learn how to market my future products. Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. Freshman year, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. To greater serve the textured hair community my hair product line will inspire youth and bridge the gap of inequity in the hair industry. Obtaining an education at a collegiate level will provide me with the opportunities to work alongside hair companies. These opportunities will help my journey towards becoming a cosmetic chemist. As a quote once said be the change you wish to see in the world.

Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. In my first year of high school, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? Black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed for centuries. As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. Financial assistance becomes imperative as an out-of-state freshman living solely with my mother and younger brother. My mother already shoulders various financial obligations, including the repayment of her student loans. She went to college to become a lawyer but paying for tuition was impossible. Therefore, she did not pursue her dreams to take care of me as a single mother. All in all, given the circumstances, it becomes increasingly challenging for her to single-handedly support my educational journey, making external financial aid crucial for my academic pursuits. Overall, I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. I plan to capitalize on the invaluable resources and opportunities colleges and universities offer to pursue a career in the cosmetic industry as a business executive and cosmetic chemist. If I am awarded, this scholarship will alleviate the financial burdens of pursuing higher education yields.

Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. In my first year of high school, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? Black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed for centuries. As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. Financial assistance becomes imperative as an out-of-state freshman living solely with my mother and younger brother. My mother already shoulders various financial obligations, including the repayment of her student loans. She went to college to become a lawyer but paying for tuition was impossible. Therefore, she did not pursue her dreams to take care of me as a single mother. All in all, given the circumstances, it becomes increasingly challenging for her to single-handedly support my educational journey, making external financial aid crucial for my academic pursuits. Overall, I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. I plan to capitalize on the invaluable resources and opportunities colleges and universities offer to pursue a career in the cosmetic industry as a business executive and cosmetic chemist. If I am awarded, this scholarship will alleviate the financial burdens of pursuing higher education yields.

Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year of high school. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up her to achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. In my first year of high school, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? Black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed for centuries. As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. Financial assistance becomes imperative as an out-of-state freshman living solely with my mother and younger brother. My mother already shoulders various financial obligations, including the repayment of her student loans. She went to college to become a lawyer but paying for tuition was impossible. Therefore, she did not pursue her dreams to take care of me as a single mother. All in all, given the circumstances, it becomes increasingly challenging for her to single-handedly support my educational journey, making external financial aid crucial for my academic pursuits. Overall, I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. I plan to capitalize on the invaluable resources and opportunities colleges and universities offer to pursue a career in the cosmetic industry as a business executive and cosmetic chemist. If I am awarded, this scholarship will alleviate the financial burdens of pursuing higher education yields.

Diversity, civil service, and passion are three things that are important to me. I am passionate about increasing diversity in the cosmetic industry. Throughout my years in high school, my endeavors have encompassed giving back to the community and volunteering. Passion is important because it is a word I strive to encompass in my future career goals. Many parents push their children to enter careers they do not have a passion for. My passion has been hair, skin, and nails. This is why I entered a vocational school where I will graduate with my cosmetology license this spring. Instead of the conventional path of working behind the chair after graduating from the cosmetology program, I desire to continue my education at a doctoral level. Researching consumer behavior, emerging trends, and market dynamics will lay the path for a career in the business aspect of the cosmetic industry. I plan to pursue a master's degree in cosmetic chemistry to create a product line curated for black skin and hair after majoring in marketing. For centuries, black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed. As a little girl, I hated my curly natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair, all because I could not find the right products. Therefore, I gave up and for years on end, I would have a ceramic BabyBliss Pro flat iron glued to my head. With each pass down the strand, I envisioned myself looking more parallel to the students in my class with porcelain skin and long hair. The black community and societal beauty standards often portrayed straight hair as the ideal, leading me to believe that my natural curls were somehow inferior. Consequently, to heal my inner child, I acted upon my passion for cosmetology and delved into marketing as a foundation to major in cosmetic sciences. The lack of diversity and inclusiveness in the cosmetic industry drives my ambition to continue my education within these fields. Majoring in marketing at a doctoral level I hope to graduate from Howard’s School of Business and be able to work for a cosmetic company. Sequentially, I intend to major in cosmetic sciences for my Masters degree to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products.

What path awaits after undergraduate school? I intend to earn my cosmetology license in the spring of 2024 and major in Marketing at Howard in the Fall of 2024. Instead of the conventional path of working behind the chair after graduating from the cosmetology program, I desire to continue my education at a doctoral level. Researching consumer behavior, emerging trends, and market dynamics will lay the path for a career in the business aspect of the cosmetic industry. I plan to pursue a master's degree in cosmetic chemistry to create a product line curated for black skin and hair after majoring in marketing. Black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed for centuries. As a little girl, I hated my curly natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair, all because I could not find the right products. Therefore, I gave up and for years on end, I would have a ceramic BabyBliss Pro flat iron glued to my head. With each pass down the strand, I envisioned myself looking more parallel to the students in my class with porcelain skin and long hair. The black community and societal beauty standards often portrayed straight hair as the ideal, leading me to believe that my natural curls were somehow inferior. Consequently, to heal my inner child, I acted upon my passion for cosmetology and delved into marketing as a foundation to major in cosmetic sciences. The lack of diversity and inclusiveness in the cosmetic industry drives my ambition to continue my education within these fields. Majoring in marketing at a doctoral level I hope to graduate from Howard’s School of Business and be able to work for a cosmetic company. Financial assistance becomes imperative as an out-of-state freshman living solely with my mother and younger brother. My mother already shoulders various financial obligations, including the repayment of her student loans. She went to college to become a lawyer but paying for tuition was impossible. Therefore, she did not pursue her dreams to take care of me as a single mother. She sacrificed herself for the greater good and has always pushed me to excel beyond my goals. Unfortunately, reaching my goals at a collegiate level at an HBCU encompasses a financial burden. I aspire to major in chemistry at an HBCU and use my degree to work for a cosmetic company. I am determined to diversify the hair industry by formulating products for black hair. Driven young individuals must be allowed to pursue their desired careers without jeopardizing their financial stability. My mother will not be able to cover the cost of my education along with other bills. Overall, given the circumstances, it becomes increasingly challenging for her to single-handedly support my educational journey, making external financial aid crucial for my academic pursuits.

I intend to earn my cosmetology license in the spring of 2024 and major in Marketing at Howard in the Fall of 2024. Instead of the conventional path of working behind the chair after graduating from the cosmetology program, I desire to continue my education at a doctoral level. Researching consumer behavior, emerging trends, and market dynamics will lay the path for a career in the business aspect of the cosmetic industry. I plan to pursue a master's degree in cosmetic chemistry to create a product line curated for black skin and hair after majoring in marketing. Black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed for centuries. As a little girl, I hated my curly natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair, all because I could not find the right products. Therefore, I gave up and for years on end, I would have a ceramic BabyBliss Pro flat iron glued to my head. With each pass down the strand, I envisioned myself looking more parallel to the students in my class with porcelain skin and long hair. The black community and societal beauty standards often portrayed straight hair as the ideal, leading me to believe that my natural curls were somehow inferior. Overall, I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. I plan to capitalize on the invaluable resources and opportunities colleges and universities offer to pursue a career in the cosmetic industry as a business executive and cosmetic chemist. My long-term pursuit is to put afro-textured products on the shelves and empower black children to take care of their natural hair in any style, curly or straight. Moreover, I am confident that this combination of academic pursuits will enable me to make a significant impact in the cosmetic industry.

Target has been my favorite store since I was a little girl. Hundreds of toys lined every shelve and it was my truly magical place. One day, strolling down the toy aisle I locked eyes with an Our Generation doll in a cheer uniform. I begged my mom for the doll and she succumbed. When spring came, I pleaded for her to sign me up for Monroe Braves Youth Cheerleading. She signed me up and I had a joyous time chanting and doing stunts along the sidelines. My passion for cheerleading allowed me to be allowed to sign up for our recreational competition team. During tryouts, I recognized I was not at the same level as most of the athletes. They were all capable of flipping and I wasn’t. My mom signed me up for several tumbling classes and I learned to do a back walkover. One practice, I fell flat on my neck and for the rest of my life, I have struggled with a mental block. I quit cheerleading and focused on doing other sports. Covid hit and I decided to find a way to give back to the organization by volunteering during quarantine. This experience allowed me to share my passion for mentoring youth and helping them discover their love for cheerleading. I have coached little girls for three years. Instead of working like most teenagers in high school, I dedicated my time to volunteering and coaching bright athletes. During my coaching, our team even won first place at a competition down the shore. I was ecstatic for them! As a sophomore, I decided to join my high school's cheer team. This same year our team hired a new coach. The entire organization had to be built up from the bottom. We had no uniforms, pom poms, or bows. You might be wondering how we made it work. We scrapped this together and wore a T-shirt and a skirt from Amazon. However, eventually, my coach and I’s efforts pushed our athletic director to order us uniforms and pom poms. My innate leadership qualities did not go unnoticed, as I was recognized as an unsung hero scholar-athlete. This acknowledgment motivated me to work even harder, and I was eventually appointed as the team captain. This role not only allowed me to showcase my skills on the mat but also provided me with the opportunity to inspire and guide my teammates. Through my journey from being a supporter of youth cheerleading to becoming a captain of my high school cheer team, I have learned valuable lessons about perseverance, dedication, and the importance of giving back. My experiences have shaped me into a well-rounded individual who is not only passionate about cheerleading but also committed to helping others achieve their goals. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the cheerleading community.

In cosmetology school, I was taught the surface-level definition of cornrows; narrow rows of visible braids. However, the intricate patterns of braids worn by African American women carry a deep significance. Cornrows have a historical origin, serving as paths for slaves to follow to freedom. Growing up, my mom was the only person I let touch my hair. The style I hated most was cornrows. The braids emboldened my forehead receiving comments that I looked like an Avatar character did not help my confidence. Little did I know, the cornrows I wore served as a metaphor for the various paths that lay ahead in my journey and the cornrow’s designs symbolize my mom’s invaluable guidance. What path awaits after undergraduate school? I intend to earn my cosmetology license in the spring of 2024 and major in Marketing at Howard in the Fall of 2024. Instead of the conventional path of working behind the chair after graduating from the cosmetology program, I desire to continue my education at a doctoral level. Researching consumer behavior, emerging trends, and market dynamics will lay the path for a career in the business aspect of the cosmetic industry. I plan to pursue a master's degree in cosmetic chemistry to create a product line curated for black skin and hair after majoring in marketing. Black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed for centuries. As a little girl, I hated my curly natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair, all because I could not find the right products. Therefore, I gave up and for years on end, I would have a ceramic BabyBliss Pro flat iron glued to my head. With each pass down the strand, I envisioned myself looking more parallel to the students in my class with porcelain skin and long hair. The black community and societal beauty standards often portrayed straight hair as the ideal, leading me to believe that my natural curls were somehow inferior. Consequently, to heal my inner child, I acted upon my passion for cosmetology and delved into marketing as a foundation to major in cosmetic sciences. The lack of diversity and inclusiveness in the cosmetic industry drives my ambition to continue my education within these fields. Majoring in marketing at a doctoral level I hope to graduate from Howard’s School of Business and be able to work for a cosmetic company. Sequentially, I intend to major in cosmetic sciences to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. Thus, I plan to capitalize on the invaluable resources and opportunities college offers to pursue a career in the cosmetic industry as a business executive and cosmetic chemist.

What three women come to mind when considering the accomplishments of black women in the cosmetic industry? Trailblazers such as Madam CJ Walker, Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty, and Tracee Ellis Ross have undoubtedly shaped the cosmetic industry by creating products for curly hair. Their significant contributions to the industry designing products for curly hair and skin inspire me to follow in their footsteps. After obtaining my cosmetology license this spring, I aspire to major in chemistry and minor in marketing to gain knowledge about what chemicals are in my products and learn how to promote and sell my future products. Madam CJ Walker is an influential figure I learned about during my first year in the cosmetology program at Gloucester County Institute of Technology. As the first self-made woman millionaire and erecting a hair care line, she has shown me the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Every day I look up to her achievements and honor what she has done for this industry. Her knowledge of chemistry qualified her to be able to launch a homemade line of hair products. Therefore, I intend to gain a thorough understanding of chemistry to develop products for afro-textured hair and melanin skin. Witnessing black women launching beauty lines such as PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fenty Beauty by Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty drives me to continue my education in the cosmetology field to launch a cosmetic brand in the future. I plan on minoring in marketing because I aspire to take my entrepreneurship and communication skills to a higher level. In my first year of high school, I created an online clothing business called Just Klothing LLC. After quarantine, I struggled to keep the business afloat, and I went out of business. I have had a yearning desire to open back up, but not enough resources to jumpstart the business again. With no guidance about how to run and own a business, I intend on leveraging a minor in marketing to assist my efforts in becoming a self-made businesswoman and chemist. What fueled this passion, you ask? Black hair has been labeled as nappy, unmanageable, and untamed for centuries. As a little girl, I hated my curly kinky natural hair because I did not know how to style it. I would spend hours on end untangling my hair in the shower, all because I was using products for caucasian hair. After finding the right curl products and techniques I gained the confidence to wear my natural curls outside. By creating products for black hair I hope to inspire younger generations to embrace their curls. Overall, I plan to continue my education at the collegiate level to expand my knowledge of the chemical aspect of cosmetic products. I plan to capitalize on the invaluable resources and opportunities colleges and universities offer to pursue a career in the cosmetic industry as a business executive and cosmetic chemist. My long-term pursuit is to put afro-textured products on the shelves and empower black children to take care of their natural hair in any style, curly or straight. Moreover, I am confident that this combination of academic pursuits will enable me to make a significant impact in the cosmetic industry.