Sally Beauty, a leading retailer of beauty supplies, is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to support students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Rooted in Success program, in partnership with The Black Hair Experience, aims to empower the next generation of textured hair innovators and entrepreneurs.

The program will have a lineup of inspiring events including entrepreneurial-led chats, founder-led panels, hair care education, demos, networking opportunities, professional headshots, and generous giveaways. These activations are free to the public, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility.

Sally Beauty’s Initiative with The Black Hair Experience

Photo Credit: Sally Beauty

The Rooted in Success activations will be taking place throughout February and March, located in Atlanta and Washington D.C.

Elizabeth Nix, Vice President of Marketing at Sally Beauty, highlights the significance of the two cities as the inaugural locations for the pop-up events.

“We feel that Atlanta and Washington, D.C. are synonymous with the vibrancy of HBCUs and Sally Beauty communities,” she states. “Our partner, The Black Hair Experience, is closely connected in these markets to students at a variety of HBCUs, making these cities a great fit for our kickoff.”

Photo Credit: Sally Beauty

Brands that will be featured for the activation include SheaMoisture, Kaleidoscope, Mielle, TPH by Taraji, Texture ID, Made for Locs, PuffCuff, and more. All are names that are a part of Sally’s assortment of over 100 textured hair brands, more than 50 of which are Black-owned and founded.

“We chose to partner with these brands due to the significant contributions they have made to the Black community,” Maryann Herskowitz, Group VP of Merchandising at Sally Beauty, explained about the selection process for brands involved in the initiative. “These brands have demonstrated their commitment to social responsibility through various actions, including donating a portion of their profits to charity, providing mentorship opportunities, and supporting impactful causes.”

Looking ahead, Nix discusses potential expansion to other HBCU cities.

“There is always potential to explore opportunities where we can expand our initiatives,” she says. “We strive to focus on meeting consumers where they are, and finding new and engaging ways to build community.”

In addition to the 10% discount for HBCU students, Sally Beauty plans to engage with customers through interactive programs like Rooted in Success.

Sally Beauty’s Rooted in Success initiative reflects a commitment to empowering and supporting the diverse community of textured hair enthusiasts and future entrepreneurs. Through these efforts, Sally Beauty is not only providing valuable resources and opportunities but also fostering a sense of community and empowerment within the beauty industry.