Black-owned beauty brand Design Essentials has pledged $250,000 to Spelman College. This major investment marks a powerful commitment to supporting future Black women leaders in science and innovation. The long-term financial partnership will fund scholarships and student programs at the historic Atlanta institution.
Major Investment Supports Future Female Chemists and Innovators
Design Essentials announced the quarter-million-dollar commitment during Spelman’s Homecoming celebrations. The funds will specifically empower the next generation of female chemists and innovators. This donation aligns with the brand’s 35th anniversary milestone, celebrating over three decades of service to the Black community.
Cornell McBride, President of McBride Research Laboratories, shared his pride in the partnership. “As a Black-owned, Atlanta-based beauty brand, we’ve pledged a $250,000 donation to Spelman College to help empower the next generation of female chemists and innovators,” he stated. The contribution reflects the company’s mission to help people embrace their hair, culture, and self-defined beauty.
Design Essentials Celebrates HBCU Excellence Through Action
The beauty brand didn’t just write a check. Design Essentials showed up for Spelman’s Homecoming Week with multiple on-campus activations. They hosted a golf tournament and even sponsored a kick-off concert featuring Ari Lennox. These events demonstrated the company’s genuine commitment to HBCU culture and community.
This investment builds on Design Essentials’ 30-year legacy of supporting Black women. The brand has consistently provided staple hair products while championing initiatives that uplift the community. Their actions prove they truly put their money where their mouth is.
Partnership Fills Critical Gap in Higher Education Funding
This donation comes at a crucial time for historically Black colleges and universities. Current threats to higher education funding make private partnerships more important than ever. Corporate support helps ensure HBCUs can continue their mission of educating Black students.
Design Essentials’ commitment to Spelman represents more than financial support. It’s an investment in the future of Black excellence and innovation. The partnership will help students access educational opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Through this collaboration, the next generation of Black women scientists can pursue their dreams.
