The Black Beauty Talks: A Celebration of Expansion, Innovation, and Disruption

The Black Beauty Talks Stage at The Times Center

It was a breathtaking sight—a venue brimming with Black beauty in all its facets, a collective celebration of culture, influence, and the limitless possibilities of Black beauty. At the inaugural Black Beauty Talks, held in honor of Black History Month, every moment was steeped in purpose and pride.

At the heart of The Black Beauty Club is an unwavering commitment to community. Our mission has always been to foster candid conversations, challenge antiquated beauty norms, and create space where Black culture and experiences take center stage.

A Night of Legacy: Celebrating Black Beauty Legacies

The festivities commenced with an intimate dinner at The Musket Room, aptly titled Celebrating Black Beauty Legacies — an evocative homage to the past, present, and future of Black beauty. Sponsored by Shop My, with luxury gifting from NARS Cosmetics, the evening honored pioneers who paved the way, celebrated today’s visionaries and uplifted the next generation poised to redefine the industry.

Our guests were a testament to Black beauty’s powerhouses, featuring iconic stylist June Ambrose, media personality Kamie Crawford, content maven Janesha Moore, visual storyteller Justin Frett, and influential creators like Tanyka Renee, Ndeye Penda, and Devine Arielle. The energy in the room was electric—a reminder that Black tastemakers don’t just influence trends; they set the standard, shift the narrative, and, most importantly, dictate the algorithm.

A huge thank you to Shop My for supporting The Black Beauty Club Dinner. We encourage our influencer community to register and tune into the Shop My’s webinar on March 13th to learn more about their innovative affiliate platform, as we’ll be hosting more exclusive gatherings together—don’t miss out!

Community-Built Beauty with Eni Popoola & Mimi Sillah

Taking the stage with Mimi & Eni

Beauty, at its core, is communal. Content creator Eni Popoola and Head of Influencer Community Mimi Sillah delved into the intricate dance between social media, self-perception, and the philosophy of beauty. Eni reflected on the validation she finds within her community, the privilege of fitting within traditional beauty standards, and the challenge of holding these contradictions simultaneously.

“We’re in constant motion, redefining our beauty standards,” Eni noted. As Black people, we must interrogate our perceptions of beauty to avoid unconsciously upholding hierarchical ideals within our communities. This conversation underscored a critical truth: Beauty is dynamic, and its evolution depends on us actively reshaping its parameters.

Black Beauty as Art, Legacy & Disruption with Raisa Flowers, Dawn Sterling & Tahirah Hairston

Culture Disruptors: Tahirah, Dawn & Raisa

Behind every iconic beauty moment is a team of creative forces: makeup artists, stylists, directors, set designers—visionaries whose artistry shapes culture.

Editorial makeup artist Raisa Flowers and nail artist extraordinaire Dawn Sterling are two such disruptors. Their careers are testaments to the power of Black women carving spaces where they were once excluded.

Raisa, whose avant-garde work has graced Vogue and major beauty campaigns, emphasized the necessity of taking up space. Dawn, a trailblazer in editorial nail artistry, has shattered barriers in an industry where Black women are still underrepresented. As the lead nail artist for Louis Vuitton, Marni, and The Row, she’s the go-to creative for the most coveted campaigns.

In conversation with writer Tahirah Hairston, both artists shared defining career moments. For Raisa, it was doing Rihanna’s makeup—a surreal validation of her artistry. For Dawn, it was working on Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton men’s collection, a milestone that underscored the growing acceptance of male nail art at the highest echelons of fashion.

Their stories drive home an undeniable truth: Black creatives aren’t just participants in the beauty industry; they are the blueprint. And their most profound accomplishments? Collaborating with fellow Black visionaries, elevating each other, and ensuring that the next generation enters an industry where they no longer have to fight for a seat at the table.

Expanding Beauty with JT & Simi Muhumuza

Simi & JT on Expanding Beauty

The evening reached its crescendo with a conversation between journalist Simi Muhumuza and hip-hop icon JT. A moment that was nothing short of electric.

JT, ever candid, shared her journey of self-expression, defying expectations, and embracing individuality. Growing up in the hood, she recalled the societal pressures to conform to a particular look, a narrow definition of beauty that she outright rejected.

“If I was like everyone else, I’d have been forgotten a long time ago,” JT declared. Her words resonated deeply—a call to embrace audacity, to take up space unapologetically, and to lean into the kind of beauty that refuses to be boxed in.

The Future of Black Beauty

The inaugural Black Beauty Talks was more than an event—it was a declaration, a moment of reflection, and a vision for the future. From honoring legacy to celebrating disruption, one thing was made abundantly clear: Black beauty isn’t an afterthought. It is the standard, the innovation, and the movement that continues to redefine the industry.

And this is just the beginning.

Thank you to our partners: NARS Cosmetics, Moet Hennessy & Rimowa.

For our influencers community - don’t forget to register and tune into the Shop My’s webinar on March 13th to learn more about their innovative affiliate platform, as we’ll be hosting more exclusive gatherings together.