Celebrating Black History Month: The Beauty of Representation

Feb 1

Recreation in Gees Bend, Alabama, 1939. Photo by Marion Post Wolcott

Black History Month is more than a celebration—it’s a reflection of resilience, progress, and the power of representation. As a Black woman and small business owner in the beauty industry, my journey has been deeply personal. I didn’t always see faces that looked like mine in the spaces I wanted to enter. That absence fueled my desire to create a place where inclusivity wasn’t just a trend but a standard.

When I started Sugared Beauty Bar, my mission was bigger than just offering beauty services. I wanted to build a community where every client—especially women of color—felt seen, valued, and cared for. Representation matters, not just in media or history books, but in the everyday experiences of self-care and wellness.

Honoring the Legacy of Black Beauty Pioneers

Black women have always shaped the beauty industry, even when the industry didn’t acknowledge us. Visionaries like Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in America, built an empire of haircare products for Black women at a time when few catered to our needs. Annie Turnbo Malone, a trailblazer before Walker, laid the groundwork for textured hair care as we know it today. Their legacies remind us that beauty is power, and entrepreneurship is a tool for change.

We will continue this legacy by creating a space where beauty is accessible, inclusive, and empowering. The work of these pioneers inspires us to keep pushing forward, ensuring that self-care isn’t just an indulgence but a right—especially for women who look like me.

This Black History Month, I celebrate the progress we’ve made and the community we continue to build. Thank you for being part of this journey, for supporting a Black-owned business, and for making space for beauty that includes us all.

With love and gratitude,
Serenity, Founder
Sugared Beauty Bar