Amplifying diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is key to Ulta Beauty’s business strategies, talent initiatives, and mission to use the power of beauty to bring to life the possibilities within each of us.

As a continuation of its investment in the company’s DEI journey, Kim Adams joined Ulta Beauty, the nation’s largest beauty retailer, as its first vice president of DEI and Talent Acquisition.

Kim is responsible for leading the vision and strategy for these two teams as Ulta Beauty furthers its DEI investment while building synergies across the company’s hiring and pipeline practices.

Kim reports to the chief human resources officer as a member of the People Success leadership team, with the Talent Acquisition and DEI teams reporting to her. Kim believes her work is purposeful and personal and finds it an honor to collaborate with Ulta Beauty colleagues to support its 40,000+ associates as well as communities and partners to broaden its DEI efforts to create meaningful impact for the company, the industry and the world.

Prior to Ulta Beauty, Kim served as vice president of human resources, DEI, and engagement at Papa John’s International. She has also served as vice president of engagement, inclusion, and diversity at Equifax, senior director, employee experience and culture at AECOM and held increasing leadership roles in human resources, diversity business marketing, and operational excellence at global organizations like Coca-Cola, Cox Automotive, and Marsh Inc.

 Always an advocate for equity and community empowerment, Kim serves on the board for non-profit and civic organizations committed to promoting diverse representation, economic sustainability, and women’s health issues across the globe. Some of her community endeavors include the Atlanta Community Foodbank board secretary and governance committee chair, True Colors Theatre board of directors, and LEAD Atlanta. Her volunteerism has garnered accolades as a servant leader including Women We Admire 2022 Top 50 Women Leaders of Georgia, Diversity Global Magazine 2022 Top 15 Diversity Champion, and the University of Georgia Terry College of Business Class of 2023 Trailblazer.

She is also a proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Kim has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance with honors from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business and Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University Robinson College of Business.  She also holds an executive certificate from Harvard University Kennedy School for Promoting Racial Equity in the Workplace and a D&I Professional Certificate from Cornell University. Kim loves to travel and resides in Atlanta with her spouse, son, and fur baby.

The holidays are just right around the corner, but it is never too late to buy and give Black.

From herb-infused honey and vegan hot sauce to tote bags and gift boxes, these Black women bosses behind these products are shining and doing it well. They invite you to not only be part of their unique stories but to shop where it matters.

Take a look and add them to your Christmas list!

Makuyo Nettey

HBCU grad Makuyo Nettey is the creative alchemist behind Siika Honey and Herb, a brand deeply rooted in intention and in honor of her family’s matriarchs. In her paternal Ga language, Siika translates to “wealth, luxury, or riches,” and takes inspiration from the real-world healing properties of honey and herbs, as well as everyday rituals, all with unity in mind. This boss brings her passion for traveling, uplifting Black women and men, and healing to her work.

The brand creates herb and honey infusions to remind you of the sweetness of life and tisanes (herbal teas) inspired by the African continent.

What to get: SIIKA Holiday Set ($49.99). Pair your choice of taste size honey and a taste size tisane with the brand’s limited edition clay mug, and 4-oz. candle.

Samantha Davis-Allonce

First-generation Jamaican-American Chef Samantha Davis-Allonce delivers a passion for spices and unexpected pairings with her Caribbean cuisine-influenced brand Hot N Saucy. After leaving a career in cancer research, Allonce landed in the food industry as a private chef for clients including Leslie Jones, RocNation, adidas, and The Daily Show.

Additionally, Davis-Allonce specializes in catering and consulting through her homegrown culinary business, Savor By Sam. From weeknight dinners to dinner parties and bridal and baby showers, this boss is at your service.

Today, Hot N Saucy offers a different take on classic hot sauces. The vegetable-based, vegan sauces offer bright and bold flavors like Carrot N Chipotle, Beet N Fresno, Garlic N Peperoncini, and Sweet Potato N Habanero.

What to get: Heat Your Veggies ($30.00). Pair your veggies with fiery peppers like Fresnos, Habaneros, and Ghost Peppers. Flavors of Hot N Saucy ($10.00) are available on Amazon and at retailers such as Home Goods, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls)

Sherrill Mosee

Sherrill Mosee, inventor and designer of MinkeeBlue, created a solution for what she calls the “overload bag syndrome,” and organizational fashion bag for busy women whose roles changed throughout the day. The former engineer-turned-entrepreneur stole hearts on America’s Big Deal, a first-of-its-kind, shoppable live competition series in 2021 and has since landed her products on Macy’s stores shelves across 10 locations and online.

MinkeeBlue offers stylish tote bags catered for lunch and shoes, vegan leather backpacks, and 2-in-1 convertible crossbody backpacks for your everyday go-to bag.

What to get? MinkeeBlue Nilah Tote Bag ($225). This tote includes a detachable money pouch, insulated lunch bag, shoe bag, and key fob.

Constance Panton

Originally a 2016 gift exchange as a response to the killings of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Bifties has become the perfect holiday gift exchange that keeps on coming. While surviving depression, founder and CEO Constance Panton created a digital gifting shop for curated boxes and thoughtful products, all intentionally sourced from Black-owned and Afro-Latinx-owned brands.

What to get? “Bake It Happen” Gift Box ($95.00). This gift box includes The New Way to Cake by Benjamina Ebuehi, brass measuring cups with wooden handles, a unisex denim apron, and a personalized message on a blank card.

Athena Klee

Trixsent founder and mother of three Athena Klee devoted more than 10 years creating her own custom skin care formulas before releasing them to the world. The journey began shortly after struggling with depression and experiencing a powerful spiritual event. Klee emerged stronger, dedicating her life to helping people find their own health and happiness.

This Canadian-based skincare company will immerse you in antioxidants, fade those sunspots, and revel in refined and glowing skin with the naturally luxurious Forever Young Collection.

What to get? Forever Young Collection ($200.00 CAD). The bundle includes a vitamin C cleanser, vitamin C serum , vitamin C eye cream, and vitamin C cream.

More and more Black women are unapologetically flaunting their Black hairstyles in their work environments.

Fionnghuala “Fig” O’Reilly is a 29-year-old Black engineer making an impact in the STEM industry as she sports her braided hair in the science lab.

According to Yahoo Life, O’Reilly, born to an American mother and Irish father, intentionally wears her hair in cornrows in an effort to amplify inclusion in the STEM workforce.

“Representation is so impactful for the next generation, and I intentionally do make the effort to show up [as] myself in these spaces where we’re not often seen at all,” she told the outlet.

The engineer posted a photo of herself on Twitter, earlier this December, rocking some fresh cornrows while in the lab.

As a black woman on a national science show, I intentionally wear braids and my curly Afro to normalize black hair in stem. In this pic, I’m wearing cornrows to study plants being sent to space at NASA. pic.twitter.com/n2a2iFcSlw

— Fig (@figoreilly) December 5, 2022

Her post went viral and many social media users began to share their thoughts and experiences on Black hairstyles in the workplace.

O’Reilly said she “was very glad to see that so many people were proud and happy and felt inspired. Those were the messages that meant so much to me, because it did reach so many.”

She is a correspondent on CBS’s Mission Unstoppable with Miranda Cosgrove, a show that spotlights women who work in various STEM careers.

“The goal of this show is to show women across various fields of STEM and what it looks like to work in their job and one thing that is important to us on the show is showcasing women of a variety of backgrounds. So I do intentionally show up as myself as I normally would with my hair in a wide array of natural hair styles, because that’s how I show up in life,” O’Reilly told Yahoo Life.

O’Reilly previously challenged society’s beauty standards while competing for Miss Universe Ireland in 2019, wearing her natural curls instead of straightening her hair for the competition.

“I think people are realizing now more than ever, why this work is important, why showing up as a woman in STEM, just as myself is important. And if that inspires others I hope that it brings more women into the fold.”

O’Reilly has extended her passion for inclusion by recruiting and mentoring Black women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

• News

by Derek Major

December 15, 2022

Airbnb Says It Found ‘Meaningful Difference’ In Booking Success Between White and Black Users

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Airbnb, the online marketplace focused on short-term rentals, said it has found a “meaningful difference” in the booking success rate between its white and Black users.

According to CNN, the findings were released after the company launched Project Lighthouse, an initiative to find and remedy race-based discrimination on its platform. The short-term rental company said all users had their reservations confirmed by hosts more than 90% of the time last year.

However, Airbnb also found a notable gap in user experiences during that time depending on their racial identity. Users who were perceived to be white had a booking success rate of 94.1% while users who were perceived as Black had a success rate of 91.4%.

“It is a meaningful difference, and it’s unacceptable,” Janaye Ingram, Airbnb’s director of community partner programs and engagement, told CNN. “It is something that we obviously are not OK with and we are doing a lot to address.”

William Stanford Davis is still celebrating his newest promotion to series regular on the second season of the award-winning teacher-focused mockumentary Abbott Elementary. This marks the first series regular role in Davis’ nearly three-decade career.

The St. Louis native, who proudly plays Abbott’s janitor, Mr. Johnson, spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about his highly-anticipated pinch-me moment, the value of teachers and janitors, and his childhood school experiences that changed his life.

“I’m still in pinch myself mode,” Davis tells BLACK ENTERPRISE about the move that skyrocketed his career to new heights. “That’s how it feels right now. And I think I will be until the end of the series. This is such an amazing experience. The people I get to work with every day, the crew, the cast, stellar cast, and we’re just having so much fun. It’s been a journey.”

 

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As a guest star on season one, Davis is undoubtedly a fan favorite for his outstanding and scene stealing performance as the cantankerous yet lovable Mr. Johnson.

Following its epic Emmy wins for Season 1, Abbott Elementary welcomed a whole new school year of hilarity thanks in part to its beloved janitor who lives his best life as if none of the cameras are rolling.

“I think Mr. Jackson is a bit enigmatic. You think he’s going to come at you one way and he’ll do a left turn on you, he’ll come in a different way. He’s filter-less. He doesn’t care how it comes out. He’s going to say what’s on his mind at any time,” says the Ray Donovan actor.

He adds: “I know he cares about the school and the kids. He wants them to have the best experience possible. But I think his chief job is making sure the school is safe, warm, there’s no snow out for kids to fall in, hurt themselves in the winter.”

Too cool for school, Mr. Johnson doesn’t just take a mop to the floor and fix what’s broken. He lends advice to teachers, safeguard students in need, and occasionally dons sunglasses.

“The teachers are basically the backbone, but the custodian is like the undercurrent that keeps things going,” Davis says.

Davis has taken his own early experiences with nosy school custodians into the role.

“We used to have this custodian and the school clerk were the nosiest people. They knew everybody’s business. And so that’s where I try to deal with Mr. Johnson. He knows everything about everybody and he kind of keeps it close to the vest until he needs to spring it out,” Davis explains.

In addition to comedic relief, Abbott Elementary depicts teachers needing to be resourceful and creative in their classrooms to compensate for the lack of funding for basic school supplies. For Davis, Abbott Elementary is very much reflective of his special encounters with teachers at his former all-Black underfunded elementary school in St. Louis.

From glee club to choir and art exhibits to tag football, Davis said he wasn’t aware of any lacking at his school. He credits teachers, especially his aunt, for going above and beyond.

“My aunt, who was one of the closest people in my life to me, was my third grade teacher. And I remember almost every day of that class. And certain teachers will have a different effect. She would bring clothes from my cousins to kids who maybe didn’t have a sweater or something,” Davis says.

Though the hit sitcom intentionally highlights issues facing underfunded public schools, Davis believes that the teachers are devoted to the well being of students.

“The teachers make sure that they get the best that they can get. They care for them, make sure that they got food. They would make sure that they had what they needed so that they could learn. So I think that Abbott is kind of based on that,” Davis says.

At 71, Davis has more than 15 years mentoring the next generation of talent under his belt at both his own company, the WSD masterclass, and at the Actors Studio, where he is a lifetime member.

“Just like teachers. I talked for a while, and I still do a master class every now and then with people who are interested. The first thing I tell them, “OK, you got to have a job. You got to have a way to support yourself. It’s only about the work. It’s only about the work. It’s not about the results. And if you really love this, if you really love it, how can you quit? Can’t quit,” Davis says.

“And do theater, get in a play, work your craft, work your craft over and over and over again. I have the saying that film makes you famous. TV makes you rich. Theater makes you great.” 

• Sports

by Niko Mann

December 15, 2022

Track Star Randolph Ross Receives 3-Year Ban From Athletics Integrity Unit

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Olympic sprinter Randolph Ross has been suspended for three years, according to the Associated Press. The Athletics Integrity Unit announced the decision on Dec. 13.

Ross was suspended until June 30, 2025, and will be ineligible to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. The sprinter was accused of whereabouts failures and of sending a fake email to anti-doping authorities.

Ross was first suspended on the night before his 400-meter preliminary race at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The suspension happened on July 16 after officials could not locate the athlete for a month to complete his doping test. It was the Olympic gold medalist’s third whereabouts failure in a 12-month period.

According to the Athletics Integrity Unit, the 21-year-old altered an email “allegedly confirming an update made to his whereabouts information for the relevant period.” Ross reportedly “immediately admitted” that he had changed the email in an attempt to avoid a third whereabouts failure while he was being questioned by officials from the Athletics Integrity Unit.

Ross posted a message on Instagram after winning his Olympic Gold Medal back in 2021.

“Took me 20 years, but I’m finally an Olympian 🇺🇸 #tokyo2020.”

 

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The sprinter from North Carolina ran track and field for North Carolina A&T State University and was named twice as the NCAA Outdoor 400 meters champion. Ross also won a gold medal in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics as part of the 4x400m team.

Ross is coached by his father, Duane Ross, who was announced as the new head coach of track and field at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville back in June. Duane Ross coached at North Carolina A&T State University for ten years. Ross followed his father to the University of Tennessee along with his younger sister, Jonah, who also runs track.

Migos rapper Offset celebrated his 31st birthday in Jamaica with his wife, Grammy Award-winning recording artist Cardi B, according to TMZ. The party was held at the Lobster Dave Seafood Restaurant and Sports Bar in Ocho Rios on Dec. 13.

“Awwww I did ask her where the after party at …she was so pretty.”

Awwww I did ask her where the after party at …she was so pretty https://t.co/Xb7hWDwIvM

— Cardi B (@iamcardib) December 14, 2022

The recording artists have been grieving Migos rapper TakeOff, who passed away on Nov. 1 in Houston, Texas at the age of 28. Offset, whose full name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, is also cousins with the late rapper and said in an Instagram post that he would honor his cousin’s memory before every performance.

Cardi B also shared video clips of the couple’s vacation in her Instagram Stories captured by the Daily Mail. The couple is seen riding in a golf cart and enjoying a meal on the beach. Offset reportedly made his wife laugh after he attempted a Jamaican accent in one video and said “We’re on the island, catch the island.”

Happy Birthday, Offset!

The results of this case would not have been possible without a mass of supporters.

Black women were heavy advocates for two-time Olympic gold medalist and Phoenix Mercury basketball star Brittney Griner in the fight to free her from Russian custody.

According to NBC News, Black women-led groups, including Win With Black Women, the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, and the Black Women’s Leadership Collective coordinated rallies, circulated petitions, and wrote to the Biden administration in a cohesive effort to push for the U.S. to bring Griner home.

 

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“I was moved to tears,” LaTosha Brown, of the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, said when she heard about Griner’s release after being “wrongfully detained” for 10 months in Russian custody for possession of vape canisters with cannabis oil. The release involved a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Moscow.

In addition, they launched campaigns including We Are BG, a united campaign of various Black women-led groups that included activists, human rights groups, Griner’s legal team, WNBA officials and players, and many others.

Advocates highlighted the critical role Black women played in Griner’s release. They said that after Griner was transferred to a penal colony in November to begin her nine-year sentence, Black women were the most vocal, urging leaders not to forget about her.

“Many of us felt like if it didn’t get media attention, her case would just fade away. She could possibly live her life to rot in jail,” Brown said.

Griner’s release was announced last Thursday by President Joe Biden.

“I felt relieved; I felt hopeful. I always felt we would bring her home, I just didn’t know when. I believe Black women were instrumental in multiple ways,” she added.

Brown advocated for Griner not only as part of her mission to support Black women, but many people she was connected to knew Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner.

The Hill reported that The Win With Black Women collective accumulated 1,200 signatures from women to send a letter of support in July to the Biden administration on Griner’s behalf.

“It was painful for so many, particularly Black women, to see another Black woman be in those harsh conditions, to just see the pain in her face,” said Jotaka Eaddy, founder of Win With Black Women. “It was hard to watch. It’s hard to hear about the inhumane conditions that she was forced to be in.”

As previously reported in BLACK ENTERPRISE, Griner’s wife shared a post of acknowledgement on her Instagram thanking everyone who played a role in freeing Griner.

 

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• News

by Niko Mann

December 15, 2022

Georgia Woman Scams Grieving Families Out Of $80,000 Pretending To Be Funeral Home Worker

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A Georgia woman is in hot water after she allegedly scammed grieving families by pretending she was an employee at a funeral home in Jonesboro, according to WSB-TV.

The Jonesboro Police Department claims that 34-year-old Danielle Longino aka Danielle Watkins is a scammer who cheated several families out of $80,000. Longino is a former employee at the Anthony L. Watkins Funeral Home. The police said that Longino cheated the families by pretending she still worked at the funeral home in the Atlanta suburb.

Longino turned herself in at the Clayton County Jail on Dec. 9. Longino’s picture and a description had been posted on social media and sent out to the press stating that she was a person of interest in the funeral home scam.

Jonesboro police chief Tommy Henderson said at a press conference that Longino contacted the families after a loved one passed away and pretended she still worked at the funeral home.

“She would contact several victims after they suffered a death in the family, while they were making arrangements,” said Henderson. “She would scam them out of money for caskets and funeral services.”

The police also said that she used the last name Watkins to scam people trying to make arrangements through Watkins Funeral Home. “To my knowledge, they were looking for services at the funeral home, and in some cases, she would contact them,” he added.

A longtime friend of Longino’s, Faye Yvette McQueen, wondered if something may have been wrong to cause her friend to scam the families. “I feel for her because something must be wrong,” she said. “But I also feel for the people that were scammed. Justice and hopefully help. I think she needs help.”

Henderson said he’d never seen a scam like the one Longino is accused of committing during his entire career.

Michael B. Jordan has made a pivot into the sports industry.

As of Dec. 13, it has been confirmed that the actor, director, and producer has become a minority shareholder of the English professional association football club AFC Bournemouth.

 

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According to AFC Bournemouth, the Black Knight Football Club acquired the club from the former owner, Russian businessman Maxim Demin. The consortium is led by American investor Bill Foley, who is the managing general partner of Black Knight Football Club and will be fulfilling the position as chairman at Bournemouth.

“Bill and his partners are committed to providing the investment to sustain and build upon AFC Bournemouth’s recent accomplishments, which includes returning to the Premier League in 2022/23, where the Cherries have spent six of the last eight seasons,” the club said in a statement.

“I have tremendous respect for the passion and support the Bournemouth community shows for this club and believe that connection to the community is the foundation for success of any sports team,” Foley said.

“We will move forward with an ‘always advance, never retreat’ approach that has defined all of my endeavors. I am committed to work with the best football and business minds available to enhance player development, facilities, and the fan experience to put AFC Bournemouth in the best possible position to succeed,” he added.

Insider reported that Jordan leads the minority ownership group along with Nullah Sarker, while Cannae Holdings Inc. has a 50.1% interest in the club.

“AFC Bournemouth is Michael’s first foray into professional sports ownership, as he and Nullah will work closely with Bill in areas including global marketing and internationalisation of the club [sic],” the club stated.

According to sources, the Black Knight Football Club plans to break ground on a state-of-the-art training facility. Additionally, the club is working on methods to increase financial commitments to the women’s and girls’ teams.

Denim assumed full ownership of the club in 2019 after obtaining an initial stake.