February 9th 2024.
BROWN GIRL Jane, a luxurious fragrance brand, had the incredible honor of being chosen as the first-ever graduate of the Sephora Beauty Grant program. This prestigious award, in partnership with The 15 Percent Pledge, was bestowed upon them out of a pool of over 275 applicants.
The star-studded 15 Percent Pledge Gala, held in Los Angeles, was where co-founder and CEO Malaika Jones proudly accepted the achievement award on February 3rd. She received a standing ovation from the audience before taking the stage with Artemis Patrick, President of Sephora North America, and Danessa Myricks, the founder of Danessa Myricks Beauty. This recognition was a celebration of BROWN GIRL Jane's unique story, rooted in heritage, wanderlust, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Malaika Jones shared her excitement on Instagram, saying, "Some nights make this crazy entrepreneurial journey feel even more rewarding. Still floating." She expressed her gratitude to the Sephora family and the trailblazers at The 15 Percent Pledge for honoring BROWN GIRL Jane with the achievement award. She also acknowledged that this is just the beginning for their brand and they are looking forward to the future with hearts full of gratitude.
Founded by Jones and her co-founders, Tai Beauchamp and Nia Jones, BROWN GIRL Jane was awarded a $100,000 cash prize and a year-long mentorship program. This program aims to support and empower Black-owned prestige beauty brands in the US, as stated in a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE. It is a reflection of Sephora's ongoing commitment to increasing the representation of Black-owned businesses, after successfully reaching their goal of 15% Black-owned brands in prestige haircare last year. Sephora was the first major retailer to sign the 15 Percent Pledge in 2020 and has since added over 600 Black-owned brands to their shelves.
Tai Beauchamp, the chief business officer at BROWN GIRL Jane, also expressed her gratitude to the partnering companies and highlighted the significance of their brand. She wrote, "Your commitment will shift previously normalized patterns for the better and showcase more inclusivity. Thank you!" She also gave a special shout-out to her fellow Spelman College sisters and co-founders for their journey towards success.
Beauchamp continued, "It took years and years to arrive at a place where the industry finally recognizes and accepts that inclusivity matters. To my dear friends Malaika and Nia, through the highs and lows of life and business, with conviction, fatigue, lessons, and joys...we are doing it! Love to each of you for your vision, fortitude, sleepless nights, and dedication."
Last year, BROWN GIRL Jane graduated from the 2023 Sephora Accelerate brand incubation program, which is dedicated to nurturing a community of innovative and inspirational beauty brand founders. Through this program, the founders had the opportunity to learn from industry experts, beauty brand founders, and Sephora leaders for six months. They also gained access to resources to help them improve their retail readiness and elevate their brand. BROWN GIRL Jane has already won 22 beauty awards, including the prestigious Innovator of the Year by Refinery29.
Malaika Jones shared her thoughts on the company's Instagram page, saying, "At BROWN GIRL Jane, our mission has always been to shift culture's course and give voice to every part of us, to our stories steeped in heritage. This recognition means we've touched lives. To anyone who feels unseen – we bottle inspiration for you. To Sephora – we are grateful to be a vessel. Thank you for reminding us that the future smells like home." This incredible achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the BROWN GIRL Jane team and their commitment to uplifting and empowering their community.
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