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Glossier Offers Grants to Black-Owned Businesses in Support of #BlackLivesMatter

Photo credit: Glossier
Photo credit: Glossier

From Seventeen

It should go without saying that all human life is precious but as attested by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which has over 10 million posts on Instagram, that's not the reality for the black community.

The death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota on 25 May, which has reanimated protests across America and the rest of the world, is just one example of police aggression that disproportionately affects black men.

Traditionally, beauty brands stay quiet at times like these, especially when owned by individuals who have innate privilege due to the colour of their skin like Glossier's CEO Emily Weiss.

Yet, when silence can suggest apathy at best and acceptance at worst, Weiss has used the power of her cult-status beauty brand, to provide a lesson in how white individuals and businesses can be allies for the Black community.

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#BlackLivesMatter

A post shared by Glossier (@glossier) on May 30, 2020 at 4:40pm PDT

As well as donating $500k to organisations directly combating racism, including Black Lives Matter, Glossier is going one step further by directly helping black-owned businesses within the beauty industry.

In an Instagram statement to it's 2.8 million followers, the brand revealed that it has set aside another $500k as grants for such companies, ultimately helping those without the opportunities, investment or platform of Glossier to find success, even if that means them competing with the beauty brand for customers.

Moreover, Glossier has decided to delay the launch of its next product (due to be released today) "in an effort to focus attention, and that of their audience, on the ongoing fight against racial injustice," according to the brand's PR team. You can also find links about how to take action yourself on the brand's Instagram Stories.

More information about the grants for black-owned business is due to be released later this month, but in the meantime, you can read the full statement below:

"We stand in solidarity with the fight against systemic racism, white supremacy and the historic oppression of the black community. Black Lives Matter.

We will be donating $500k across organisations focused on combating racial injustice: Black Lives Matter, The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, The Equal Justice Initiative, The Marsha P. Johnson Institute and We The Protesters.

In an effort to make an impact within our own industry, we will be allocating an additional $500k in the form of grants to black-owned beauty business - more details to come on this initiative in June.

We're inspired by so many people in our community who are using their voices and making change. We see you and are with you. For those looking to take action, you can find resources for engagement and education in our stories."

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