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Innovation and Education Meet at Second Annual Black Beauty STEMinist Summit
STEM + Black Beauty Innovation
糖心传媒 hosted the Black Beauty STEMinist Summit for its second year, June 6-8, 2025, bringing together students and professionals for three days of learning, networking, and hands-on experience.
Building on the success of its inaugural 2024 iteration, this year's summit brought together participants from universities nationwide to explore the intersection of STEM and beauty industry innovation. The event, sponsored by L'Oréal, welcomed students eager to discover career opportunities in cosmetic science.
At the heart of this initiative stands Leyte Winfield, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and biochemistry and division chair for the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Spelman. Dr. Winfield, who is the brainchild behind the Black Beauty STEMinist Summit, has dedicated her career to opening doors for the next generation of Black women scientists. As the director of Spelman's cosmetic science program, she has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
"The Black Beauty STEMinist Summit offers students more than exposure," Dr. Winfield said. "The Summit provides visibility, validation and a sense of belonging in a space where Black women have historically been underrepresented."
Featured Speakers and Topics
The summit featured an impressive lineup of industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs who shared their expertise across multiple sessions. Tackling everything from the molecular foundations of cosmetic formulations to the complex science governing hair, skin and color interactions, participants dove into presentations that bridged theoretical knowledge with practical application, gaining wisdom essential for success in the beauty industry.
Industry Leadership and Innovation
Tangela Woodley, recruitment intelligence senior manager for employer branding at , shared her journey from marketing intern to senior leadership, emphasizing the importance of stepping outside comfort zones and building professional networks. L'Oréal's commitment to the program was demonstrated through their $275,000 donation to Spelman, supporting the next generation of beauty scientists.
Hair Science and Research
Michelle Gaines, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Spelman, presented on "Uncurling the Hair Science," exploring surface chemistry and interfacial science in hair care. Her work in polymer surface chemistry has led to new classifications and patents in hair fiber anatomy. The session covered the five different levels of human hair organization and addressed the unique challenges of caring for curly and coily hair textures.
Environmental Health and Beauty Justice
, environmental reproductive epidemiologist, at Harvard, delivered a powerful keynote on "Beauty Injustice," examining how beauty products can impact health, particularly in Black communities. Her research revealed concerning findings about chemical exposures from everyday beauty products, including the link between certain hair oils and early puberty in young girls.
Technology and Innovation in Beauty
Candace Mitchell Harris, co-founder and CEO of , demonstrated how technology is revolutionizing personalized hair care. Her Black women-owned beauty technology company uses AI and data-driven recommendations to eliminate the trial-and-error process of finding suitable hair products. Through patent-pending proprietary software, users can take a photo of their hair for instant analysis and product recommendations, or use a Hair Strand Analysis Kit for comprehensive analysis.
Harris, who has previously spoken to students in the Spelpreneurs program, emphasized how MYAVANA is creating a B2B ecosystem connecting manufacturers, salons, retailers, and distributors to lead the digital transformation of the hair industry. Supporting her vision is Spelman alumna , who serves as chief research analyst at MYAVANA.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The "Greener Strands" panel featured emerging entrepreneurs like Ciara Imani May of , who discussed plant-based hair innovation and sustainable beauty practices. As the founder and CEO of the first U.S.-made, plant-based hair extension brand, May inspired attendees with her story of courage, innovation and entrepreneurial brilliance.
After experiencing scalp irritation from plastic, synthetic hair, she began interrogating the materials used in braiding hair. When she found no safe, sustainable alternatives — she created one. Industry veterans James Bronner, CEO and president of and Corneal McBride Jr. of shared their decades of experience building successful Black-owned beauty businesses.
Sunscreen Science and Inclusivity
Presentations on tinted sunscreens and daily sun protection highlighted the importance of developing products that work effectively on darker skin tones, with the speaker of Solesence, emphasizing that "sunscreen only works if you use it."
Key Insights for the Next Generation
Several powerful messages emerged from the summit that resonated particularly with student attendees:
"We are not fully alive until we create space for others," shared one industry veteran, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community building in professional success.
"Stop competing and start collaborating" became a rallying cry throughout the weekend, with speakers encouraging attendees to work together rather than view each other as competition.
The summit also highlighted the economic opportunity within the beauty industry. With Black consumers spending $6.6 billion annually on beauty products while Black-owned brands control only 2.5% of the market, speakers emphasized the potential for students to create meaningful change through entrepreneurship and innovation.
Practical advice flowed freely, with industry professionals recommending that students learn Excel and PowerPoint, attend trade shows, master foreign languages, and develop strong business acumen alongside their scientific knowledge. As one speaker noted, "This industry requires a well-rounded individual."
The summit also demonstrated L'Oréal's significant investment in research and development, with 4,000 researchers worldwide generating 600 patents annually, 54% of which come from female inventors. This commitment to innovation and diversity in scientific leadership provides a roadmap for students entering the field.
What makes this summit important is its commitment to representation and empowerment. The program addresses a critical need in the beauty industry, where Black women remain underrepresented in scientific and leadership roles, despite being among the industry's most loyal consumers and innovative thinkers. As speakers noted, true change requires Black professionals to control not just product development, but also manufacturing and distribution.
According to Dr. Winfield, the summit's most significant impact is "The shift in mindset: students begin to see themselves not just as participants in the beauty industry but as innovators, researchers, and decision-makers shaping its future."
The networking opportunities also proved valuable, as attendees connected with industry professionals, academic leaders, and peers who shared their passion for both scientific excellence and beauty innovation. These connections create pathways that extend beyond the summit itself, creating a supportive ecosystem for career advancement and collaboration.
The summit represents part of Spelman's broader expansion of STEM programming to include a concentration in cosmetic chemistry for chemistry majors and a minor in cosmetic science for students in other disciplines—making it the first program of its kind at a Historically Black College or University.
Dr. Winfield's vision extends beyond just education; it's about creating systemic change in an industry that has historically overlooked the contributions and potential of Black women scientists. Looking ahead, she envisions transformative change driven by this new generation of scientists.
“Through direct engagement with trailblazing professionals, students gain access to mentorship, internships and research pathways that align with their cultural and scientific interests,”emphasized Dr. Winfield.
"This next generation of scientists is coming of age at the intersection of data science, AI, public health, and beauty innovation.” With investments like L'Oréal’s and Spelman alumnae assuming leadership roles in the beauty and personal care market, we’re not just creating access, we’re building an ecosystem.
She noted that Spelman students are already making their mark:
"They are not waiting to be invited in; they are preparing to lead from day one." And leading they are. In fact, according to Dr. Winfield, they are already designing cosmetic formulations, interrogating ingredient safety through a public health lens, and exploring the role of machine learning in personalized beauty.
Through initiatives like the Black Beauty STEMinist Summit, Spelman continues to cement its position as a leader in innovative education and social progress.
"By centering Black women's voices and experiences, the summit addresses the representation gap head-on, positioning students to enter the field equipped with both scientific rigor and the cultural fluency to lead with authenticity,” said Dr. Winfield.
The success of this year's summit sets a foundation for future gatherings, promising continued growth in both scope and impact as more young women discover their place at the intersection of beauty and science.
As participants departed campus, they carried with them new knowledge and skills, along with a renewed sense of purpose and community. The 2025 Black Beauty STEMinist Summit proved that when talented minds come together with shared purpose, the possibilities for innovation and impact are significant.
What’s Next?
“Over the next decade, I envision Spelman playing a pivotal role in transforming the industry as a thought leader, driving inclusive product development, challenging biased regulatory standards, leveraging consumer data in an ethical manner, and building ventures that center on cultural intelligence and sustainability,” said Dr. Winfield.
For more information about the Black Beauty STEMinist initiative and future programming, visit blackbeautysteminist.org