7 BIPOC-owned beauty brands enter Sephora incubator

Continuing efforts to support BIPOC-led beauty brands, the retailer Sephora announced the 2023 participants in its incubator program on Tuesday.

The Accelerate program, which is now in its eighth year, offers a host of resources for the seven selected brands. A six-month curriculum with weekly programming features leaders of Briogeo, Tatcha and Tower 28. Branding agency School House will also provide individualized brand workshops and strategy in what is characterized as a bespoke approach. Founders also receive mentorship, merchandising support, grants and investor connections. Plus, the program provides access to an advisory team of beauty industry partners, founders from within the Sephora portfolio and financial professionals.

Upon completion, brands have the opportunity to launch at Sephora North America.

"We are very excited to welcome all 2023 finalists to the Accelerate program and into the Sephora family," said Priya Venkatesh, SVP of global merchandising at Sephora, in a statement. "Our program continues to create spaces for BIPOC-founded and owned brands that represent our clients and the world today, all while providing meaningful support for growing brands to succeed."

Here’s a look at the selected brands, with lightly edited descriptions provided by Sephora:

• Brianna Arps, Moodeaux: A line of clean fragrances designed around the connection between scent, memory, and emotion.
• Malaika Jones, Tai Beauchamp, Nia Jones – BROWN GIRL Jane: A wellness-first multicultural beauty and health brand focused on solution-oriented, innovative products that boost mood and reduce the appearance and feeling of stress.
• Alicia Scott, Range Beauty: A plant-powered makeup line that targets uneven tones and soothes irritated skin for melanin-rich women affected by acne and eczema.
• Sienna Brown, Glosshood: A beauty brand with a specialty in providing niche goods that honor the inner child.
• Camille Martin, Seaspire Skincare: A skincare brand developing new ingredients that are safer for humans and more sustainable for our environment.
• Karen Young, OUI the People: A treatment-driven bodycare brand that aims to redefine the culture of beauty through a lens of inclusivity.
• Simedar Jackson, Of Other Worlds: A clinically conscious, culturally-inclusive beauty brand that straddles the line between clean and clinical to develop skincare that doesn't compromise on effectiveness or alienate the community.