Award-winning actress and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union is using her beauty brand’s platform to show up for Black entrepreneurship and communities across the country during this time.

Lift As We Climb — an initiative led by Flawless By Gabrielle Union — launched in partnership with celebrity hairstylist and Union’s business partner Larry Sims to support Black-owned businesses and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We fully intend to support black-owned entrepreneurs in meaningful ways that lead to growth while encouraging and recycling the Black dollar in our community,” Union said in a statement. “The success of the Flawless brand is important to me, but so is ensuring that we are actively contributing our reach and resources to help empower others.”

Flawless by Gabrielle Union — a majority Black-owned business — will lend its support to the initiative by highlighting Black-owned brands across its social platforms and websites to increase visibility and opportunities.

The first initial group of Black-owned brands selected for the initiative includes Mented Cosmetics — an award-winning non-toxic cosmetics line for all skin tones and pigments, Darlyng & Co — an innovative baby and children’s brand offering safe, natural, and non-toxic products, The Honey Pot Company — the first natural and plant-based feminine care system, and BLK and Bold — a specialty coffee and tea brand.

Additionally, Lift As We Climb will support the Black Women Health’s Imperative — the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the health and wellness of Black women and girls — by donating a portion of its proceeds in collaboration with the Amazon Smile Foundation.

As an owner of a beauty business herself, supporting Black businesses is at the core of Union’s values.

She joins a league of Black beauty leaders like Madam CJ Walker, Rihanna, Tracee Ellis Ross, Taraji P. Henson, and others to champion more Black entrepreneurship.

“It feels good and pretty amazing to own a haircare line that can help inspire our community,” Union said, according to a press release. “I grew up with various products that were targeted to us, but it was rare that one was actually for us, by us. Ownership is so important, and it’s something that I can pass on to my children and generations to come.”

“It’s our mission to empower other Black business owners and women by providing them with visibility and with business opportunities as we grow as a brand,” she added.

Her brand’s year-round initiative will feature community organizations, small businesses, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and business mentorship opportunities, a news release states, as Union’s company continues to expand.

For more information on Lift As We Climb, click here.

Lift As We Climb

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