Beauty brands called to ‘pull up’ when it comes to diversity

BD reported last week on the beauty brands that have taken a public stand against racism, showing support for Black Lives Matter. However, in an effort to hold companies accountable when it comes to diversity, the beauty community is challenging brands to #PullUpOrShutUp.

UOMA Beauty founder and CEO, Sharon Chuter created the Pull Up or Shut Up campaign on June 3, aiming to encourage fellow beauty brands to disclose the number of Black employees they have at their organisations, at both the corporate and executive levels. 

In a video statement released by Chuter, she shared statistics from the Center for Talent Innovation that found only 8 per cent of corporate professionals and 3.2 per cent of executives and senior-level managers are Black, as well as only four Fortune 500 CEOs.

Since Chuter called on brands to be transparent and show statistics, many have stepped up to the challenge. And while some highlight the vast diverse groups of people employed, other brands are using this opportunity to take accountability and share plans on how they will do better.

Below is a round-up of just some of the brands pulling up for change. Click the name to read the company's full statement:

Uoma Beauty - Sharon Chuter's brand reports that 58 per cent of its team members are Black.

Glossier - The cult beauty brand currently has 250 corporate employees, and 9 per cent identify as Black. As for VPs and higher, the company has no Black employees in leadership positions.

Estée Lauder Companies - Currently in the U.S. the beauty giant has 12 per cent Black employees, 14 per cent Black executive officers and 3 per cent Black employees at executive director level and above. 

Kylie Cosmetics - Kylie Jenner's beauty brand has shared that it has 13 per cent Black representation in its leadership team at the Kylie Cosmetics/Kylie Skin HQ.

Revlon -  Revlon is currently made up of 27 per cent Black employees, with 5 per cent identifying as Black in a director level and above.

Sephora - Data includes 14 per cent Black representation across the U.S. stores and 6 per cent in leadership including store and warehouse.

Unilever - On behalf of all of its brands, it has 8 per cent Black representation across the company and 17 per cent in leadership roles. 

P&G Beauty - 13 per cent of its senior management identify as Black.

Honest Beauty - Honest Beauty has 10 per cent Black participation across the organisation.

SheaMoisture - SheaMoisture is proud that the company is being led by 58 per cent Black executives.

Beautyblender - The brand has shared that it has 9 per cent black representation and 6 per cent in leadership. 

Flower Beauty - Drew Barrymore's beauty brand has shared it has 12 per cent Black representation in the team, and none at executive level. 

Milk Makeup - The brand has shared that of its 45 full time team members, 4 of them are Black. Those 4 team members are represented in vice president, director and manager levels across the brand. 

e.l.f. Cosmetics - e.l.f. reported on Instagram that its board of directors is 12 per cent Black and its executive leadership team is 14 per cent Black. The brand is also proud to be 1 of 10 public companies with 60 per cent women on its board of directors.

Farmacy Beauty - The brand shared that of its 23 employees 13 per cent identify as Black, and 14 per cent Black employees at a leadership level.

Coloured Raine - The woman, Black owned beauty brand employs 100 per cent Black women and men, of its team of 8 from executive level to fulfilment.

For a full list of brands who have shared statistics, visit the Pull Up For Change Instagram page, here.

Main image: Raydene Salinas Hansen via Cosmopolitan.