Spelman College’s inaugural Black Beauty STEMinist Lab Intensive & Symposia, held June 2-7, welcomed students from 15 colleges and universities to celebrate the contributions of Black women in the cosmetic sciences, learn more about beauty formulation and hear from leading executives in the industry.

The program was funded in part by grants from the US Department of Education and the Estée Lauder Companies Foundation (ELCF).

This new initiative shone a light on the impressive work of Black women in the beauty industry now—but it is also a call to action.

Black women make up just 1.8% of the science and engineering workforce in the US, according to the National Science Foundation.

Greater representation on the bench is essential, according to advocates and stakeholders across the beauty category.

The program “began as very humble pursuit to provide students an opportunity to learn more about cosmetic formulations and critical lab skills for validating formulation.  We also hoped to exposed students to routes to careers in the industry.  It quickly grew to a larger opportunity for engagement and networking between Black women in the industry, the exchange of ideas, and the formation of a community,” Dr. Leyte Winfield, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and division chair for the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Spelman College, told Happi.

Dr. Winfield is also the director of Spelman’s new cosmetic science program and served as director of the Black Beauty STEMinist Lab Intensive and Symposia.

Getting the program off the ground took plenty teamwork—and some quick thinking, too.

“Logistically, one can imagine that was quite a lift.  But I had an amazing team who made the work manageable,’ Dr. Winfield said told Happi.

Actually, two teams; one handled logistics and the other programming.

“Both were amazing and indispensable,” said Dr. Winfield.

In fact, her teams need to quickly pivot when a watermain break left most of Atlanta without water for three days.

“My team found a new space, set up the space, and insured speaker and students were able to get to the new location with no impact on morale.  Without knowing about the emergency, most would have thought we planned the first day of the symposium to be off campus,” Dr. Winfield said.

Instructors worked late into the night, she said, to ensure that students did not miss any content.

And there was some serendipity; thanks to the watermain break, students learned to assemble equipment.

“What a brilliant pivot that added to the students’ experience!” Dr. Winfield said.

Scientists Answer The Call

More than 50 beauty scientists and product developers showed up to lend a hand over the course of the event, according to Dr. Winfield.

“They gave so freely of their expertise and were transparent about personal and professional challenges that they’ve had to overcome…  They talked about the shifting lens of beauty and how we are defining the narrative of beauty for Black women—not to dictate boundaries, but to be thought partners in creation,” she said.

In addition to the lab intensive, the agenda featured panels, workshops focusing on product development, seminars delving into AI in beauty and other innovative technologies, as well as discussions on mindset and personal branding for success.

For example, Pattern Beauty’s Director of Product Marketing Akuba Torikey and Product Development Manager and In-House Chemist Montalee Chavious led a seminar.

Pattern Beauty also hosted a closing reception at the event.

Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary and renamed Spelman in 1924, the college recently added a concentration in cosmetic chemistry for those majoring in chemistry, and a minor in cosmetic science for those majoring in other areas—the first of its kind at an HBCU.

 “As a global leader in STEM education for Black women, Spelman College is an extraordinary new ELCCF partner. Through its summer intensive, we are proud to support the institution’s efforts to expand and improve access to STEM education for historically marginalized communities and, in turn, increase representation in the beauty and personal care industries,” Rachel Tulchin, VP, social impact, The Estée Lauder Companies, said in a statement.

“This experience impacted my future plans by inspiring me to continue learning about how I can contribute through research. I aim to pursue a master’s degree in cosmetic science and conduct research with my professors at Spelman on the materials in our hair to understand how to properly care for it,” said participant Delaney Brooks, who is majoring in chemistry with a concentration in cosmetic science at Spelman.

“The Black STEMinist symposium was a major educational highlight for my career. I gained valuable insights from other industry professionals who looked just like me,” said India Butts, R&D quality manager at Bronner Brothers, who was a participant this year.

“We were empowered to continue our journey within the personal care industry. Each speaker left us with guidance on how to excel in our careers and how far we could go with our education. I have plans to continue my education to become a more established professional,” added Butts, who is also the authore of a children’s book called “Hattie The Hair Chemist.”

Planning for 2025

All told, the project hosted 40 students and 100 general attendees.

Now, Dr. Winfield and team will be turning their attention to 2025.

“We are in the process of developing plans for 2025. More details will come in the early Fall, she told Happi.

Organizers want to keep the same the timing next year.

“We hope to maintain the time period as we would like students to have access to the summer for internships if possible,” she said. 

“We are open to partners and others in the industry who have interns to consider allowing their interns to begin with us. We would love to discuss how this symposia series can be incorporated into students’ summer experience,” Dr. Winfield said.

Industry members and brands that want to get involved next year can also reach out to the Spelman team.

“We are open to sponsorships to ensure that we can sustain the quality and integrity of the event and to ensure that we can engage a broad audience. We are open to additional partners who would like to contribute to the content of the laboratories are serve as speakers during the event.  We would love to have vendors who focus on recruitment,” Dr. Winfield shared.

Companies/brands and organizations that played a role in the 2024 Black Beauty STEMinist Lab Intensive & Symposia program included:

• The Estée Lauder Companies
• MAC
• Procter & Gamble
• Mielle
• Lip Revolt
• Myvana
• Mary Kay Global
• L’Oréal
• Pattern Beauty
• New York Society of Cosmetic Chemistry
• D&E Industries, Inc.
• Ginko Biworks
• Seaspire Skincare
• Essential Ingredients
• Cindy J Cosmetic Labs