by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
September 3, 2025
Black Girls Thriving 2025 introduced out esteemed panelists to debate Black girls’s affect and recognition throughout magnificence.
The Black Girls Thriving 2025 occasion centered on creativity, magnificence, and well being all through the various Martha’s Winery group.
Happening Aug. 6 within the coastal city established as a Black summer season haven, the night featured Black girls change-makers as they mentioned their place within the magnificence and wellness industries. The Estée Lauder Corporations spearheaded the occasion, in partnership with Pinterest, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and Clinique, to attach 130 influential Black girls for its third annual 12 months.
Black Girls Thriving hosted two panels along with its model activations and group networking occasions. CNN anchor Abby Phillip moderated the primary dialog on the significance of placing Black girls on the forefront of promoting and design of recent manufacturers.

One of many panelists, The Estée Lauder Corporations’ Senior Vice President Susan Akkad, spoke about how her employer is driving inclusivity in its product growth and rollout. By means of ELC’s Native and Cultural Innovation Heart of Excellence, the sweetness conglomerate addresses the distinctive wants of shoppers on a world scale, creating merchandise that cater to the variations related to various pores and skin tones.
On the the occasion, Akkad said, “Magnificence is anthropology. To really serve Black girls, we should perceive the science of our pores and skin, the aesthetics of our tones, and the tradition of our magnificence.”
As a main sponsor, The Estee Lauder Corporations’ Vice President Native & Cultural Innovation, Monique Davis, additionally defined to BLACK ENTERPRISE how the enterprise continues to champion all girls in its firms’ philosophy and inventive growth.
“On the Estee Lauder Corporations, we all know that magnificence, well being, and wellness are deeply intertwined and private,” expressed Davis. We additionally know that these journeys aren’t one-sized-fits-all – particularly for Black girls. We needed to create an area to discover these matters and what it means to thrive at each life stage.”

Pinterest’s Chief Folks Officer, Doniel Sutton, joined Akkad to debate the function of Black girls as trendsetters inside and outdoors its digital platform. He added how Pinterest contributes to inclusivity inside its personal web site.
Julee Wilson, editor at massive at Cosmopolitan, rounded out the cohort of panelists. Wilson spoke on the journal’s most wide-ranging matters within the magnificence sphere, additionally noting manufacturers she believes are trailblazers for inclusive merchandise and advertising and marketing, corresponding to Bobbi Brown cosmetics.
Amid the dialog, attendees may take pleasure in model experiences from sponsors. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics hosted stay make-up periods, that includes its reissued Lengthy-Put on Cream Shadow Stick. One other make-up and skincare model, Clinique, hosted its personal instructional expertise. The model showcased merchandise that complemented melanated pores and skin whereas addressing age-specific points. For the non-makeup fanatic, Pinterest additionally showcased customized tote baggage that would symbolize one’s time and love in Martha’s Winery.

The night time continued with the second panel of the night, moderated by tv broadcaster, legal professional, and authorized analyst Laura Coates. Coates sat down with Dr. Sharon Malone, OB/GYN and writer of Grown Girls Discuss, to debate the well being challenges and help wanted for Black girls to stay longer and higher. They particularly addressed the expertise of perimenopause and menopause through the mid-life stage.
“My message to Black girls—who begin earlier, endure longer, and extra severely—is don’t endure. Don’t endure since you don’t get a medal on the finish of the menopause marathon. We don’t have individuals to advocate for us, so that you’ve acquired to advocate for your self,” mentioned Dr. Sharon Malone, who additionally serves as chief medical advisor at Alloy Girls’s Well being.
Black Girls Thriving sparked change and dialog because it profitable accomplished its third installment. Company additionally expressed their very own gratitude for the occasion, because it emphasised the value and significance of Black girls within the magnificence, media, and wellness.
“The occasion was actually unimaginable, defined Maude Okrah Hunter, an attendee and CEO of Black Magnificence Roster It was an inspiring house the place we weren’t solely centered and uplifted however deeply reminded of our power and brilliance. The panels and activations had been distinctive. It was highly effective to be in an area that honored the fullness of our lives. I left with my cup full and my spirit renewed.”
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