L’Oréal USA has announced the launch of the second edition of its Inclusive Beauty Fund, a program designed to provide financial support to beauty businesses owned by people of color.
The Inclusive Beauty Fund will award one-time grants to 40 deserving entrepreneurs across the United States. These grants will not only provide financial assistance but also offer recipients mentorship and business development support from L’Oréal executives and SalonCentric, the company’s professional products distributor.
The grants are open to a wide range of beauty businesses, including salons, spas, barbers, extensions artists, braiders, aestheticians, make-up artists, start-up founders, students, and stylists. By supporting these businesses, L’Oréal recognizes the vital role they play in providing essential products and services to consumers from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Interested companies can apply for grants through the Hello Alice platform in partnership with L’Oréal USA and the NAACP or via the Hispanic Federation’s website. The application deadline is set for March 29, and the winners will be announced in April.
The first round of L’Oréal’s Inclusive Beauty Fund, launched in 2021, provided financial support to 33 small beauty businesses across the United States. These funds enabled recipients to expand their inventory, refine marketing strategies, and even open new retail locations. The impact of the grants was significant, as expressed by LaToya Stirrup, CEO of hair brush company Kazmaleje and a grantee from the previous year. Stirrup noted that the resources provided by the Inclusive Beauty Fund served as a gateway to connect with salon owners and stylists in new and meaningful ways.
