We've hit a crossroads in the beauty industry. Consumers are aware that there is a problem with the way women have been represented on television, in movies, and in advertisements — especially when it comes to African-American women. But, whenever a company tries to combat this, the efforts don't seem to go anywhere, and the issue persists.
My Black Is Beautiful is striving to change that. As part of an initiative started in 2012 by P&G, UNCF, and Black Girls Rock, My Black Is Beautiful is trying to motivate black girls and women, who are typically marginalized in media, to define beauty in their own terms — not by what society tells them.
In order to spread its message of positivity and self-love, My Black Is Beautiful held a nationwide search to find six ambassadors. Each woman selected has her own unique tools to help bring the initiative's vision to fruition.
We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with three of the ambassadors about this ongoing conversation. Each of them attempted to define the issue and then gave some brilliant advice on how to overcome it. No matter your race, age, or background, everyone should read their empowering words. Because, the current way we talk about beauty — to younger generations and among ourselves — is problematic, and the only way we can rectify that is if we work together to change the conversation.
Click through to read the interviews with these three inspiring women.