Truth and Dare
The other story about British Vogue's groundbreaking May covers, how hair can change lives and more about The Beauty Roundtable
Powerful and Personal, Not Performative
When Edward Enniful, the visionary leading British Vogue, unveiled his May issue, I meant to write about the groundbreaking to dedicate its coveted cover space to five disabled individuals, with a total of 19 people highlighted in the issue. Then I didn’t have the time and thought I missed adding my thoughts on such a decisive inclusion moment. But then this week. I read a couple of articles that helped me see that the magazine’s move was still worth discussion.
First, a piece in BBC mentioned Enniful had intimate knowledge of the challenges some of those featured faced because he wrote about his visual and hearing impairments as well as a blood disorder in his memoir. The editor went on to reiterate that he understood.
"My tenure here at Vogue has always been about inclusivity and diversity, and people forget how hard it is for the disabled community,"
But it was another article written about Enniful’s appearance on the BBC that caught my attention. The Guardian reported that Enniful turned down advertising for not only that particular issue but many others since he took over the helm of the publication in 2017. He was told inclusion was “downmarket." So he began turning down ads pretty much from the start.
Of course, this shouldn’t surprise anyone who has worked in proximity to the fashion/image machine. Eurocentric beauty standards are deeply ingrained, and the constant battle for diverse perspectives can be downright exhausting. But Enniful felt so strongly about this issue he was willing to take a financial hit and refuse advertising that was antithetical to the theme of the issue.
So we had to people away we didn’t share our vision. That’s something we’re not scared of doing.
Here is why Enniful’s move is refreshing. We are living in a time when many companies make performative moves when it comes to inclusion. Jumping on the bandwagon makes them look good. At least, that is what they believe. Can you say black square? Then, when they think no one is looking, the programs, people, and budgets they tout are gone in a blink of an eye. Enniful reminds us that it is up to us to call out performative moves. We have to thank him for the reminder.
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Curl, Curl Biz: How Keziah Dhamma Found A New Career
Okay, so I am having the best time working on Season 3 of Start Right Here! When I started, I tapped a slate of people II knew as guests, with a few new people added to the mix. The ratio was probably 70/30. For season two, it was probably 60/40, and now that number has flipped to 35/65. I am meeting tons of new people and getting to share their amazing journeys.
In episode 74, Keziah Dhamma, founder of Swirly Curly Hair, shares that when she moved to Los Angeles from Sacramento to become a broadcast journalist or a model/actress, it was difficult to wear her hair straight because of the hard water. So she decided to grow her relaxer out. But one day, her hair started breaking off in the shower, and she had no choice but to give herself a big chop. As her hair grew out, it was hard to keep it in a ponytail, and it led to her designing her first product, the Snappee, on a Post-It. Now she has 30 SKUs, a haircare line, and an education platform.
Keziah had to learn that a brand either evolves or dies.
Check out the entire episode on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.
P.S. Keziah has some special offers for you:
Shop our natural hair products at www.swirlycurlyhair.com and use code podcast15 for 15% off your entire order.
Join our CurlCollege community and learn via video tutorials at www.curlcollege.com.
Get a FREE copy of the SwirlyCurly method book by going to www.theswirlycurlymethod.com.
(I) Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’
So last week, I told you a little bit about The Beauty Roundtable. This week, I shared a post on LinkedIn. This was a big step for me because I am doing something new, but because I believe so strongly that The Beauty Roundtable is needed, I am ready to share more with you. Here it is:
A few weeks ago, one of my newest podcast listeners, Starr Blackshere, a makeup artist and brow cosmetic tattoo artist extraordinaire, asked me a critical question. “What are you going to do with all the knowledge you have?”
That got me thinking about how I wanted to do more than a podcast. What would it be like to create a digital gathering and education place for BIPOC Beauty Pros across all industry disciplines and specializations? Before our conversation, I wanted to refine my message, so I changed the podcast tagline. I also knew that I wanted to put my episodes under a new website banner, The Beauty Roundtable (that website will be live later this month).
But then I started wondering: What changes could this kind of gathering space bring to the industry in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging? How could this space assist BIPOC individuals who want to enter the industry, pivot from other careers, start a business, and learn from veterans who have found success? The goal is a community where education, empowerment, motivation, and referrals happen in a safe, affirming environment. That is the vision I have for The Beauty Roundtable Community.
So here’s where you may come in. I am seeking some Founding Members who want to help me shape and launch this vision. I know what I want to offer, but I want to include what you need, and you can make sure that happens.
And if you know me, you won’t be surprised to hear that part of that vision will include helping the next generation of BIPOC Beauty leaders find success by offering free memberships for college students underwritten by the community.
We won’t launch until this Fall, but anyone who joins me in this journey now will be locked at a special introductory annual price for the life of their membership. This Founding Member offer is only available until May 25th.
If you are interested and have questions. Send me an email: corynne@thechicjonescompany.com. Or you can use the links below to join. I look forward to building this community with you.
The Beauty Roundtable Founding Member Monthly Membership
The Beauty Roundtable Founding Member Annual Membership
P.S. This version of the newsletter will remain on Substack, but I will likely produce something else for the membership.
Finally, let’s end with a beautiful song that connects to our truth theme, courtesy of India.Arie.