Ulta Unveils the MUSE 100, Highlighting Diversity and Inclusion

Sep 22nd, 2021

Jeb Gleason-Allured

Ulta Beauty's MUSE 100 highlights influencers, authors, brand leaders and more.

Ulta Beauty has introduced the MUSE 100 beauty grant honorees, comprising 100 Black makeup artists, activists, authors and more. Each honoree will be awarded with a grant of $10,000, totaling a commitment that exceeds $1 million. These funds are in addition to the $25 million DE&I commitments made by the company in February of 2021. The full list of honorees is below.

The MUSE 100 recognizes honorees for their vision, leadership, and the ability to stimulate change, uphold values and champion inclusivity, per Ulta. The grant recipients were assessed by the Ulta Beauty DE&I Counsel and advisers Tracee Ellis Ross, Cosmopolitan’s beauty director Julee Wilson, entrepreneur and co-founder of Melanin Haircare Whitney White and celebrity stylist Mecca James Williams.

Honorees will be featured on the Ulta Beauty MUSE 100 website, and honoree stories will be shared on Ulta Beauty’s social channels and via the company’s media partnerships.

“We understand our responsibility to inspire positive change and drive greater diversity, equity and inclusion in our industry,” said Dave Kimbell, CEO, Ulta Beauty. “The MUSE 100 champions those who have succeeded in making so much beauty possible, those who represent the future and those who have inspiring stories that deserve to be shared and supported. We are proud to honor and uplift these 100 Muses and hope others find inspiration in learning their stories while celebrating with us.”

“I’m excited and consistently encouraged by Ulta Beauty’s continued commitments,” said Ross, DE&I adviser at Ulta Beauty and CEO and founder of PATTERN Beauty. “The MUSE 100 demonstrates a significant evolution of Ulta Beauty’s mission to uplift Black voices. By shining a light on these inspiring changemakers, we empower Black communities and continue the important work of fostering foundational change.”

MUSE 100 Honorees

Makeup Magicians

Dev Doee, makeup artist and chief creative officer of We Are Fluide
Raisa Flowers, makeup artist and model
Jaleesa Jaikaran, makeup artist and content creator
Renee Loiz, celebrity makeup artist
Kay-Lani Martinez, beauty content creator
Darius McKiver, makeup artist and content creator
Kenneth Senegal, makeup artist and storyteller
Uzo Ukaeje, director of global artistry for NARS
Michela Wariebi, makeup artist and educator
Alana Wright, makeup artist, work featured on Emmy-nominated television shows

Hair Raisers

Yene Damtew, celebrity hairstylist and salon owner
Vernon Francois, celebrity hairstylist and educator
Tiffini Gatlin, CEO and founder of Latched and Hooked Beauty
Rochelle Graham-Campbell, content creator, CEO and founder of Alikay Naturals
Felicia Leatherwood, celebrity natural hairstylist and beauty speaker
Michelle O’Connor, global artistic director and hair stylist
Jewellianna Palencia, hair care guru
Lacy Redway, celebrity and fashion hairstylist
Pekela Riley, celebrity hairstylist, salon owner and educator
Myleik Teele, CEO and founder of curlBOX

Style Setters (fashion)

Nana Agyemang, CEO and founder of EveryStylishGirl
Kahlana Barfield Brown, fashion and beauty editor
Kellie Brown, content creator and founder of And I Get Dressed
Brandice Daniel, founder and CEO of Harlem Fashion Row
Naomi Elizee, market editor at Vogue
Gabi Gregg, style influencer and body positivity activist
Antoine Gregory, fashion consultant and founder of Black Fashion Fair
Hannah Harris, digital marketer and creator of Brown Girl Hands
Rajni Jacques, global head of fashion and beauty at Snap Inc
Kia Marie, stylist and content creator

Well Makers

Tai Beauchamp, Malaika Jones and Nia Jones, founders of BROWN GIRL Jane
Aeshia DeVore Branch, founder of Pretty Girls Sweat
Ivirlei Brookes, actress, coach and, founder of Mavenelle
Dr. Jessica Clemons, board-certified psychiatrist
Alexandra Elle, author, certified breathwork coach and writer
Denise Francis, motivational speaker, founder of The Self Love Organization INC
Camesha Jones, founder of Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness
Dr. Caroline Robinson, board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist
Millana Snow, entrepreneur and health and wellness coach
Trinity Mouzon Wofford, CEO and co-founder of Golde

Story Shifters

Deanii Scottie Beam, media personality and model
Sesali Bowen, writer and body positivity activist
Keah Brown, author, writer and disability activist
Rachel Cargle, author, speaker and activist
Marjon Carlos, journalist, author and public speaker
Matthew A. Cherry, film director, writer and producer
Michaela Angela Davis, writer, activist and cultural commentator
Akilah Hughes, writer, comedian, YouTube personality
Jari Jones, actress, mode45l & LBGTQ activist
Jasmine Mans, poet and artist

Culture Creators

Luvvie Ajayi Jones, author, speaker and podcast host
Brooke Devard Ozaydinli, podcast host and content creator
Alexis Feacher, content creator
Joshua Kissi, photographer, director and founder of TONL and Street Etiquette
Devin Norelle, nonbinary model, advocate and writer
Reyna Noriega, author, artist and educator
Laurise McMillian, content strategy editor at Refinery29
Lola Ogunnaike, entertainment journalist
Candace Reels, founder of the Female Collective
Karleen Roy, founder of The Vanity Group

Luminous Leaders

Sandrine Charles, co-founder of Black in Fashion Council
Sharon Chuter, founder and CEO of UOMA Beauty and Pull Up for Change
Erica Douglas, cosmetic chemist and founding partner of mSEED group
Char Ellesse, founder of Girls Will Be Boys
Bethann Hardison, fashion model and advocate
Aurora James, creative director, activist and founder of Brother Vellies
Candace Marie, social media consultant and founder of Black in Corporate
Shirley Raines, founder of nonprofit Beauty2TheStreetz
Nayamka Roberts-Smith, esthetician, LABeautyologist
Chrissy Rutherford and Danielle Prescod, brand consultants and founders of 2BG Consulting

Executive Excellency

Susan Akkad, SVP of local and cultural innovation at The Estee Lauder Companies
Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, founder of BrainTrust
Tiffani Carter, VP marketing at Thrive Causemetics
Erica Culpepper, general manager at L’Oreal
Esi Eggleston Bracey, EVP and COO of beauty and personal care at Unilever
Ernest James, founder of Noire Mgmt and SVP of special projects at Digital Brand Architects
Dana Oliver, senior director of content and communications at StyleSeat
Aja Robinson, global sales director of Fenty
Tomi Talabi, senior communications at Pinterest and founder of The Black Beauty Club
Tristan Walker, founder and CEO of Bevel and Walker & Company Brands