THE BLACK BEAUTY GLOBAL FORUM
The Black Beauty Club Global Forum is a series of conversations examining the forces shaping Black beauty globally and how its influence, innovation, and economic power are evolving.
9:30AM (EST): THE GLOBAL BLACK BEAUTY ECONOMY
Black consumers spend $16.2 billion annually on beauty in the U.S., while in the UK, Black women account for roughly 10% of haircare spending despite representing just 4.2% of the female population. This conversation examines what it takes to translate that consumer power into Black-founded companies with greater revenue, ownership, and scale, from capital and retail to distribution and infrastructure.
Sochima Mbadugha, President, Topicals; Subuola Oyeleye, Founder & CEO, Beauty Hut Africa; Dr. Nicole L. Ellis, NielsenIQ; Christal Alert, Founder & CEO, Tonal Cosmetics.
10:30AM (EST): BLACK HAIR’S INNOVATION ERA
Black hair is entering a new era of invention, as robotics, fiber science, formulations, tools, and devices turn cultural expertise into new products, technologies, and intellectual property. This conversation looks at the founders and innovators building new systems and scalable businesses around the complexity and versatility of textured hair.
Vernon François, Celebrity Hairstylist & Creative Engineer; Yinka Ogunbiyi, Founder, Halo Braid; Tendai Moyo, Co-Founder & CEO, Ruka Hair.
12:30PM (EST): THE CREATOR PARADOX: Cultural Relevance vs. Commercial Risk
Creators build relevance by interpreting culture, responding to the world around them, and developing a distinct point of view. Yet, brand partnerships can reward safer, more predictable, and easier-to-scale content. This conversation examines the growing tension between cultural resonance and commercial safety, and what it means for the future of creator marketing.
Eni Popoola, Creator; Nimay Ndolo, Creator & Activist; Fatou N’Diaye, Creator. Moderated by Tashira Halyard.
1:30PM (EST): WHERE BEAUTY MEETS SPORT & CULTURE
Beauty is moving deeper into sport, music, fashion, entertainment, hospitality, wellness, and technology, creating new spaces for discovery, identity, influence, and commerce. This conversation explores how these cultural worlds are reshaping beauty behavior and creating new opportunities beyond the traditional beauty industry.
Cari Champion, Award-Winning Journalist & Broadcaster; Cha Spruce, Creative Executive Director, Ogilvy.
2:30PM (EST): BLACK BEAUTY, ARTISTRY & GLOBAL INFLUENCE
A conversation about the artists shaping global beauty imagery, the cultural instincts behind their work, and the influence, credit and opportunity that follow.
J. Brandon Correa - U.S. National Makeup Artist of Artistry for YSL Beauté; Sheika Daley - Celebrity Makeup Artist; Kayla Greaves - Journalist