The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures recently served as the backdrop for a milestone in corporate philanthropy and community activism: the 20th anniversary of L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth. What began two decades ago as an extension of the brand’s “Because You’re Worth It” mantra has evolved into a powerhouse platform that has elevated over 200 women changemakers.
For Emmy-nominated actress and L’Oréal spokesperson Aja Naomi King, the anniversary was a moment to reflect on how far both the program—and her own journey toward self-actualization—have come.
Decentering the “Sidekick” Narrative
For King, the concept of “worth” was a hard-won realization. Growing up in Walnut, California, the lack of dark-skinned Black women in leading roles created a glass ceiling in her own imagination.
“Seeing the lack of representation definitely impacted my idea of worthiness culturally,” King shared. “My goal was, if I could be the protagonist’s best friend… then I would have made it.”
The shift occurred on the set of How to Get Away with Murder. Working alongside Viola Davis provided the “proof of concept” King needed to see herself differently. By seeing another Black woman at the center of the story, she realized that success is not a zero-sum game. This realization mirrors the mission of Women of Worth: providing the visibility that allows other women to see leadership as a possibility for themselves.
Twenty Years of Scaling Change
The 20th-anniversary celebration highlighted a new class of honorees who are tackling systemic issues with the help of L’Oréal’s mentorship and funding. This year’s standouts include:
- Yasmine Arrington Brooks: Through ScholarCHIPS, Inc., Brooks provides scholarships to young people with incarcerated parents—a demographic often overlooked by traditional financial aid.
- Gloria Umanah: The founder of The Hope Booth, Umanah has innovated mental health care by transforming phone booths into free support centers for underserved communities.
- Mizpah Brown-Rich: As the leader of Joshua’s Gift, Inc., she provides essential resources and advocacy for families navigating the challenges of autism.
The Ritual of Resilience
A common thread throughout the night was the idea that community service requires a foundation of self-care. King and the honorees spoke about their daily rituals not as acts of vanity, but as essential fuel for their leadership.
“You have to pour into yourself to pour into others,” King noted, emphasizing that her morning meditation and skincare routines are her way of “rooting” herself before the demands of the day begin. For Brooks and Umanah, these rituals—ranging from nature walks to daily breathwork—are what allow them to sustain the “emotionally heavy work” of social advocacy.
A Legacy of Advocacy
The 20-year milestone also served as a platform to discuss broader issues of equity, particularly in healthcare. The event touched on the disparities faced by the Sickle Cell Disease community, where patients of color often face longer ER wait times and systemic bias when seeking pain management.
By tying beauty to advocacy and self-care to community strength, L’Oréal’s 20th anniversary proved that the brand’s signature slogan is more than just a marketing tool—it is a lifelong commitment to ensuring every woman recognizes her power to lead.