Spelman College’s Cosmetic Chemistry Program Will Focus on Black Beauty Consumer Needs

In January 2023, Spelman Faculty launched a web based certificates program in beauty science, and in simply 4 phrases, curiosity skyrocketed; 150 purposes elevated to 750. With such an energized response, the subsequent step grew to become abundantly clear, and now Spelman has introduced that it will likely be increasing its STEM programming to supply a focus in cosmetic chemistry for chemistry majors and a minor in beauty science for non-chemistry majors.

The primary program of its sort for an HBCU (traditionally Black faculties and universities), Spelman’s new beauty chemistry curriculum was introduced earlier this month and, in keeping with a press release, will deal with product formulation and growth. However not like different beauty chemistry diploma packages, Spelman’s will not simply be about components and molecular sciences. It can additionally tackle and emphasize the wants and experiences of the Black magnificence client.

“This enlargement of our curriculum speaks to Spelman’s innovation and dedication to giving voice that empowers Black girls,” Spelman provost Pamela Scott-Johnson mentioned in a press release. “This system can be far-reaching and can help our college students and college in making a distinction in a area that caters to Black girls as shoppers, fueled by the scientific experience on this space.”

Leyte Winfield, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, echoed Scott-Johnson’s enthusiasm for the brand new program. “I’m equally excited that this endeavor positions us to supply a culturally related perspective that’s wanted within the dialog on Black hair and skincare and the event of cosmetics,” she mentioned.

Along with programs that present in-depth exploration of beauty formulations and laws, Spelman’s beauty chemistry curriculum may even supply lessons similar to Black Hair Lab, which is able to deal with textured hair and supply college students with a deeper understanding of surfactants and polymers, and Psychology of Magnificence, which is able to “discover how African American magnificence is used politically, socially, and culturally to undermine, marginalize, and separate Black girls from the dominant cultural narrative and the psychological commonplace of magnificence.”

The announcement of this system has been well-received amongst distinguished members of the beauty chemistry neighborhood, similar to beauty chemist and licensed esthetician Esther Olu. “A beauty chemistry diploma program at an HBCU, particularly Spelman Faculty, holds profound significance. Firstly, it addresses the long-standing lack of variety throughout the area by offering alternatives for Black college students to excel and contribute to beauty science,” Olu tells Attract, including that she has typically been the one Black girl within the room in skilled settings. “Secondly, it might probably cater to the particular wants of communities of colour, providing tailor-made schooling on magnificence merchandise. Thirdly, empowering college students with the abilities and data wanted to thrive within the magnificence trade fosters financial empowerment inside Black communities.”