NEW YORK, March 13, 2025 -- As the beauty industry continues to shift and major retailers scale back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the need for independent growth in Black beauty has never been more urgent. Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide is convening industry leaders to address these critical issues at the International Beauty Show (IBS) NYC Powerhouse Pavilion on March 24, 2025.
Building Black beauty brands is about generational wealth, representation, and thriving beyond industry shifts.
The panel, "Building Legacy Brands: The Future of Black-Owned Beauty Businesses," will explore the challenges and opportunities Black beauty professionals and entrepreneurs face in an evolving market. Experts will discuss strategies for navigating retail shifts, securing funding, and creating brands that thrive beyond corporate DEI cycles.
Moderated by Sadiaa founder Stephenetta (Isis) Harmon, panelists include:
- Rodney Barnett – Trichologist and CEO, Innovations Today
- Corey Huggins – Founder/CEO, Ready to Beauty
- Autumn Yarbrough – Founder/CEO, Nu Standard
Despite Black consumers spending $10.2 billion in 2024 on beauty in the U.S., Black-owned brands account for less than 3% of sales in the industry. And, with traditional retail spaces becoming increasingly competitive, Black beauty brands must rethink their approach to growth.
Huggins urges entrepreneurs to focus on self-reliance and collective strength:
"While systemic inequities are real, we must also take ownership of how we navigate and overcome them. That means shifting our focus to building internal strength—pooling resources, creating our own distribution channels, and leveraging our collective power to set industry standards. By being on the panel, I hope to highlight the internal power we already possess and make it clear that we are not waiting for permission, validation, or access—we are creating our own paths."
As beauty professionals play a critical role in connecting products with consumers, Barnett underscores the importance of education in retailing:
"One of the hardest challenges for a Black manufacturer is securing the right distribution for its brand," said Barnett. "Cosmetologists and barbers are the best choices for educating the public, yet they were never properly taught how to retail. If professionals generate six figures in services, they should also generate six figures in retail. That would preserve the Black brand."
While Yarbrough has experienced challenges in both retail and direct-to-consumer sales, she emphasizes green beauty as a key factor in long-term success:
"Building sustainable Black-owned beauty brands is essential because it places us at the forefront of environmental stewardship and economic empowerment. By prioritizing waste reduction, we're not just cutting costs; we're also fueling innovation that directly benefits our communities."
Sadiaa invites IBA attendees to join these thought leaders in conversation as they provide actionable strategies to build legacy brands that extend beyond trends and corporate initiatives. Beauty professionals, stylists, and entrepreneurs alike will gain key insights into creating long-term business success in an ever-changing industry.
"Building Black beauty brands isn't just about the entrepreneurs behind them—it's about building generational and communal wealth, as well as championing representation with products that serve diverse consumers," said Stephenetta (Isis) Harmon. "We want attendees to walk away with actionable strategies to build and maintain visible, profitable, and influential businesses -- no matter the market conditions."
IBS New York takes place March 23-25, 2025, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC. "Building Legacy Brands" panel will be hosted on Monday, March 24 at 2 PM.
For more information, visit ibsnewyork.com.
About Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide
Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide is the premier digital platform and #1 searchable directory dedicated to elevating and celebrating Black beauty brands, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Sadiaa.com provides a seamless way to search and discover hair, beauty, skincare, fashion, wellness, and nail services by name, city, zip code, or category.
More than just a directory, Sadiaa is a 360-degree Black beauty ecosystem, amplifying the voices of Black beauty brands and entrepreneurs through exclusive interviews, curated activations, industry news, and business resources. The platform is committed to reshaping how we see, celebrate, and experience Black beauty while centering Black beauty culture, consumer influence, and economic power.
For more information, visit Sadiaa.com.
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