Celebrating Black Beauty, Creativity, and Culture—This Month and Always

Trailblazers & History Makers

These are the icons who paved the way, redefining representation and pushing beauty culture forward long before inclusivity was a buzzword.

• Danessa Myricks has always pushed beauty beyond rules and binaries. In this feature, she opens up about artistry, innovation, and why makeup should be a tool for freedom, not limitation. Read the full story here.

• Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka bridges the worlds of hair, mental health, and cultural care. Her work reminds us that beauty rituals can be powerful tools for healing and connection. Dive into her story here.

• Maude Okrah is building equity behind the scenes of the beauty industry. As the founder of Black Beauty Roster, she’s focused on creating real access—not performative inclusion. Learn more about her mission here.

Today’s Innovators & Creators

These voices represent the current heartbeat of beauty, from texture-celebrating creatives to founders building brands with purpose.

• Dime Jones is the definition of a modern multi-hyphenate. From content creation to brand building, she shares how authenticity and intuition guide everything she creates. Get to know her journey here.

• Achieng Agutu uses fashion and beauty as tools for self-expression and empowerment. In her IPSY feature, she talks about confidence, community, and living boldly on her own terms. Read her story here.

• Tisha Thompson is on a mission to make clean beauty accessible. Her approach blends transparency, intention, and inclusivity — proving that “clean” shouldn’t feel exclusive. Explore her perspective here.

Voices Amplifying Culture

Beauty goes beyond aesthetics. These creators use their platforms to educate, advocate, and highlight stories that deepen our understanding of beauty’s cultural power.

• Dr. Adeline Kikam (@BrownSkinDerm) is changing how dermatology shows up online. Through education and advocacy, she’s making skincare information more inclusive and representative. Learn from her insights here.

• Kenika Williams brings intention to every space she touches. Her story explores how beauty, home, and wellness intersect — and why representation matters beyond the vanity. Read her feature here.

• Hannah Harris turned a simple idea into a powerful platform for representation. Known for her iconic hand modeling work, she’s redefining visibility in beauty imagery. Discover her story here.

Future Eyes on Beauty

Beauty’s future is being crafted by fresh, bold, and boundary-pushing voices. These emerging talents are ones to follow in 2026 and beyond.

• Bryce Anthony is redefining beauty beyond gender norms. Their work challenges traditional expectations and invites everyone to fully own their self-expression. Get to know Bryce here.

• Tabria Majors continues to break molds in fashion and beauty. As a trailblazing model and advocate, she’s helping reshape what representation really looks like. Read her feature here.

• Beauty creator Ndeye Peinda is challenging colorism simply by showing up as herself. She opens up about how deeply colorism still affects the Black beauty community, and why visibility, representation, and nuance matter now more than ever. Read her full story here.

These rising voices remind us that the future of beauty is already here. Explore more emerging creators and storytellers shaping what’s next here.

How to Celebrate Black History Month (and Beyond)

Want ways to make this month actionable and meaningful? Here’s how:

• Support Black-owned beauty brands, from emerging to established favorites like those highlighted in our black‑owned beauty brands list and beyond.

• Follow and amplify creators who inspire you. Likes, shares, and tags help expand their reach.

• Learn the stories behind the products you love. Intentional beauty choices help support diverse founders year-round.

Final Thoughts: Beauty, Forward

Black beauty is not a moment, it’s a movement. And as we look ahead in 2026, we’re committed to showcasing these voices, honoring their influence, and building bridges to what’s next.