Kristen Noel Crawley, Founder of KNC Beauty, Launches Virtual Beauty School For Black Female Entrepreneurs

After years of little BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) representation in almost every industry, companies are finally stepping up to the plate. The beauty industry has been an inclusivity champion during the past few years so it’s no surprise they’re continuing the fight for equality in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. KNC Beauty founder Kristen Noel Crawley is going the extra step by establishing the KNC School of Beauty for Black entrepreneurs getting their start in the beauty industry.

Kristen Noel Crawley via Afrotech

The virtual school offers four free semesters to Black female entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. Crawley will share her own experiences with others, in hopes that they will be able to avoid obstacles and defeat odds in the industry’s future. She’s also enlisted the help of four other beauty powerhouses: Nancy Twine of Briogeo, Melissa Butler of The Lip Bar, Trinity Mouzon of Golde, and Shontay Lundy of Black Girl Sunscreen.

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I posted a few weeks ago about using my title as an influencer to influence change, it has always been a dream to be able to have a platform to create a beauty and skincare line that I’m passionate about and now be able to pay it forward! I’m excited to announce that I have launched the KNC School of Beauty! This is an opportunity for me to give BIPOC female business owners a platform to interact with inspiring and emerging business like- minded students. Tuition is free because I said so and I have asked my longtime partner Revlon to donate on behalf of the school to the NAACP legal defense. We have so many other fun surprises and opportunities that will be announced in the coming days and weeks included sign up info, panelists, scholarships and more. Special thanks to @sun.ny.sideup for helping to make my dream come true 💗 See you at School, Headmaster Kristen

A post shared by Kristen Noel Crawley 🧿 (@kristennoelcrawley) on Jun 29, 2020 at 8:41am PDT

“We’ll be going over resources and giving advice from other female founders to women of color who want to start a business or are in the early stages of their business,” Crawley said to WWD. “With the whole BLM thing and everything going on I was looking to myself like, what can I do in my industry to make a difference?’ And this is what I thought of.”

Her company is known for those super cute collagen-infused lip masks you’ve seen a number of your fave celebrity makeup artists using on the most famous faces. KNC Beauty launched in 2016 after Crawley noticed a lack of natural lip care products in the market. In addition to conquering the beauty industry, the mom also designs jewelry. She knows women often juggle a number of roles and she’s ready to share her experience with budding beauty moguls. Revlon has made this opportunity possible with a $25,000 submission grant to KNC Beauty. Plus, one lucky participant will receive $10,000 to kickstart their beauty business.

Sessions begin on July 14 over Zoom with talks on entrepreneurship, facing adversity, social media marketing and branding, and making investments. What are you waiting for? Beauty school is in session!