By: Mana Faye
The Black Beauty Club, founded by Tomi Talabi, has cultivated a vibrant community centered on beauty, culture, and solutions-driven conversations across the diaspora. Launched during the pandemic in 2020, the Black Beauty Club quickly became a space “for everyone,” as Talabi described it. Initially taking root on the short-lived social media app Clubhouse, the group provided a safe haven for beauty lovers, industry leaders, and creators to engage in thoughtful discussions about beauty's role in shaping culture. As the world reopened, so did the club’s ambitions. Tomi expanded the initiative beyond digital conversations, curating in-person events, panels, and community-driven moments. As a result, the Black Beauty Club evolved into a recognized cultural movement, earning features in Vogue and Essence while fostering dialogue on beauty and its unifying power within the African diaspora.
Fast-forward five years to Tuesday, February 18, and the Black Beauty Club held its first flagship event, “Black Beauty Talks,” at The Times Center in New York City. While this wasn’t my first Black Beauty Club event, it was certainly the most memorable. The room buzzed with energy as hundreds of content creators, models, designers, entrepreneurs, and beauty insiders gathered to witness rap icon JT, alongside an impressive lineup featuring influencer Eni Popoola, makeup artist Raisa Flowers, and nail artist Dawn Sterling. The night unfolded as a powerful exploration of Black beauty, industry disruption, and the reclamation of Black voices in the beauty space.
Attendees were treated to an immersive experience, from a NARS Cosmetics shade-matching activation to a photo booth capturing the vibrant guests. VIP guests were invited to an exclusive lounge, where I had the chance to chat with a few creatives ahead of the evening’s discussions.
Creative director and fashion designer Tatiana Monet reflected on her journey with the Black Beauty Club:
“My first interaction with the Club was at an event at Public Records. I walked in and was immediately embraced by this community. Seeing Tomi bring this all together on such a large scale makes me so proud.”
Creative director and stylist Khushnoor Verma shared her excitement for the panelists, particularly JT:
“I’m so excited to see JT speak. I love hearing from voices with different cultural backgrounds about beauty. Coming from an Indian background, our beauty conversations have often been confined to certain spaces. It’s refreshing to see discussions like these happening on such a big stage.”
When asked what beauty meant to them, attendees had unique but interconnected perspectives:
“Growing up, I didn’t always feel the most confident. Beauty, for me, is about embracing the uniqueness of who you are. It comes from within, and that energy radiates outward,” said Khushnoor Verma.
Model and activist Gia Love echoed this sentiment:
“I’m especially excited to hear Dawn Sterling and Raisa Flowers speak about their journeys. As a trans woman, I want to learn about their methodology and how they carved out space for themselves in the industry. Beauty is resilience—existing boldly, even when the world isn’t always welcoming. On set, the environment isn’t always conducive to your lived experience, but artists like Dawn and Raisa push boundaries and create space for others.”
TikTok star Uniekue emphasized the importance of presence:
“Beauty, to me, is presence. It’s about taking up space in a world that sometimes tells you not to. Any platform that elevates Black voices—especially in beauty—has my full support. I’m so happy to be here.”
Rory Roth, co-founder of Sun-ny Side Up, the agency representing JT, spoke on the significance of inclusivity in beauty:
“I run an agency that represents diverse talent within Black and Brown communities, so it’s important to me to continually educate myself on different skin tones and cultural beauty traditions. Beauty, at its core, comes from within—your inner glow shines outward.”
The night’s exhibition designer, Cythali Sapuis, spoke about curating the space:
“We wanted to create an environment that embodies the female experience—a warmth that embraces you the moment you walk in. To me, Black beauty means empowerment. It’s about honoring your roots and setting an example for those who come after you. It’s about creating space and leading conversations for the next generation.”
As attendees took their seats for the panel discussions, moderator Mimi Sillah and Eni Popoola unpacked the implications of social media on modern beauty standards. Following this, Tahirah Hairston led a conversation with Raisa Flowers and Dawn Sterling, discussing the importance of owning and shaping beauty spaces where unconventional aesthetics may not always be welcomed.
The evening wrapped with JT in conversation with moderator Simi Muhumza, exploring how cultural and musical icons shape beauty trends—and the importance of recognizing Black pioneers in fashion and beauty.
“Black beauty sets trends. It drives industries and deserves recognition at every level,” said JT. “Don’t let anyone convince you that you’re not that girl.”
As the night ended, one thing was clear: the Black Beauty Club is only just getting started. With a growing impact and commitment to amplifying Black voices in beauty, the community continues to spark vital conversations. And as Tomi Talabi expertly put it:
“We must hold ourselves accountable, celebrate one another, and amplify each other’s voices.”
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