6 Black-owned beauty brands score grants and business coaching from NVF and Barefoot

“At Barefoot, we are committed to doing our part as an ally and advocate to ensure Black women are recognized and supported,” ​says Shannon Armah, Associate Brand Manager for Barefoot, in this month’s media release about the wine brand’s beauty business grant initiative.

“As we have seen from the numerous applications we received,” ​she says, “there are so many inspiring and much-needed Black women-owned beauty businesses worthy of our support. We hope the Barefoot Beauty Grant will help these deserving businesses continue to grow and thrive.” ​

To support Black-owned beauty businesses, Barefoot partners with the New Voices Foundation

The New Voices Foundation (NVF) was established in 2018 to make the entrepreneur economy more equitable by funding, mentoring, and creating community for women of color​; because, as the non-profit’s website explains, “Women of color entrepreneurs are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs in the United States; but….businesses owned by African-American and Latina women receive less than one percent of all venture capital funding every year.”​

This year, the NVF will support as many as 60 entrepreneurs with cash grants, provide coaching and business-skills development, and connect all grantees to the NVF community, “helping to further ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of their enterprises.”​

And in partnership, the foundation and Barefoot are granting 6 Black women beauty-business-owners $10,000 each as well as mentorship and coaching through the foundation’s ongoing program.

“We look forward to having these six beauty companies join the New Voices' vibrant community of women of color entrepreneurs,” ​says Richelyna Hall, Chief Impact Officer at the NVF, in her remarks to the press.

“With access to our unique ecosystem,” ​she adds, “they will receive unprecedented networking, learning and leadership opportunities to help them grow and scale their businesses.”​

Women leading businesses in hair, cosmetics, nail color, and retail receive 2020 Barefoot Beauty Grant

The six beauty brand leaders selected for the grant and business support, include Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, who Cosmetics Design readers may recall (from her Indie Beauty Profile​) is Founder of the textured hair and scalp brand Alodia​.

Alicia Scott, Founder of Range Beauty, a color cosmetics brands for ‘forgotten shades’ and eczema and acne-prone skin​, is also a grant recipient. “I was tired of feeling left out when I walked the makeup aisles,” ​explains Scott, on her brand’s website. “Not only was my complexion not represented, but I couldn't find any products that wouldn't inflame my eczema and acne-prone skin.”​

Nail color brand founder Kitiya King was also selected to receive a grant from the program. Her brand Mischo Beauty is a 10-free vegan nail brand.​ This year the brand’s ‘Worthy’ shade won an Allure Best of Beauty Award for the best nail products of 2020.​

Creata Lash and her hair styling and care tools brand PuffCuff​ also earned a grant from the Barefoot initiative. Founded in 2013, PuffCuff’s hero product is a hair clamp, specifically designed for curly, wavy, and textured hair (any type from 2C to 4C).

Morissa Jenkins and Bonkosi Horn, Founders of the retail and wellness venture Freedom Apothecary​ (in Pennsylvania) received a grant. As did Goddess Beauty Supply in Apopka, Florida​, Co-Owned by Bre’e Nicole, Apple Wagner, Keyomi Jones, and Chanel Holling.