Black Girl Fest Studios

Over the last few months, we’ve been busy deepening our research into the barriers young Black girls face in accessing creative industries, sports and culture. Did you know that girls who play after-school sports are 50% more likely to get top jobs? Although Black girls aspire to creativity and leadership, too often they are navigating systems that weren’t designed with them in mind - from limited access to creative opportunities and mentorship, to a lack of representation, visibility, and safe spaces to explore their potential. That’s why we created BUILT FOR THIS -  a new Saturday School empowering young Black girls to thrive in creative careers, sport and culture. 🎉 To find out more, share and apply head to our website. https://lnkd.in/ewa2k_Ua Good luck! BGF x #BGFBUILTFORTHIS

Last weekend, we hosted our first Beyond Beauty event in Paris - bringing together Black women entrepreneurs and industry leaders for an afternoon of meaningful conversation, insights and community building. 🌸 We explored the evolving landscape of beauty, including the challenges Black founders face, creating opportunities, and the power of storytelling in shaping more inclusive futures. ❤️ Huge thank you to Nichée Coffee Shop for hosting us, our inspirational speakers Karine B., Fatima Ndiaye and Marina C., plus to Shadia Mané for leading a powerful guided meditation. ✨ We're excited to continue building global moments that centre creativity, equity and impact. Say hello@blackgirlfest.com if you want to collaborate with us in 2026! Merci, Paris, we’ll be back soon! 🤍 Photo credit: Bineta Diallo BGF x #BeyondBeauty 

📍🇫🇷 BEYOND BEAUTY: PARIS! 🇫🇷📍 We’re so excited to announce that Beyond Beauty is coming to Paris! France has long defined global beauty - yet Black founders, creatives, and consumers remain on the margins of that story. So we’re inviting founders, creators, and thought leaders to connect for an inspiring meet-up with bold conversations, shared strategies, and collective action. Join us for an intimate afternoon exploring the future of beauty through the lens of Black innovation, creativity, and culture. Hosted at Nichée Coffee Shop - a Black woman–owned cafe, the event will feature a guided meditation led by Shadia Mané followed by a powerful discussion with: 🌺 Karine B. (@chunrine) 🌺 Fatima Ndiaye (@obee_bird), Founder of Möss 🌺 Marina C. (@marinacmu), Founder of Mèlasun 📆 Saturday 29th November, 1 PM  📍 Nichée Coffee Shop, 5 Rue de Vienne, 75008 Paris, France Limited Spaces - RSVP via the link in the comments See you then, bisous Paris x 💋 #BeyondBeauty

PRESS FEATURE 🌸🥺 - We are thrilled to share that our Award Winning Black Beauty Grant Programme, created with Glossier, Inc., has been featured in both Cosmopolitan UK and Glamour.  ✨🎉 Since launching in the UK we’ve awarded a total of £150,000 in equity-free funding to 15 beauty founders, alongside expert advice, network access and mentorship. What a great way to round up a successful year - We are so proud of this programme and our grantees! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eNQyvWKx #BGFxGlossier #BlackBeautyGrantProgrammeUK

BEYOND BEAUTY LAUNCH RECAP 🇺🇸✨ On Friday 3rd October 2025, Beyond Beauty kicked off in Brooklyn, New York. The first of a series of events designed to elevate and support Black women in the beauty industry. We invited founders, creative entrepreneurs and thought leaders to join us for an inspiring evening of networking, celebration, and inspiration. 🙌🏾 The evening provided a wonderful space for dialogue, reflection and creative connection within New York’s beauty community. Huge thank you Gladys Books & Wine for hosting us, our inspirational speakers Manacoro Mbaye Therese M'Boungoubaya and Nicole Krystal Crentsil and to Amandla Collective for the wonderful curation of food. Beyond Beauty exists to honour the resilience and creativity of these women, sharing their triumphs, setbacks, and stories of perseverance. We’re excited to expand our learning and collaborate, so if you’d like to get involved say hello@blackgirlfest.com Video credit: @delikastudios BGF x #BeyondBeauty https://lnkd.in/eFMeNkuj

BEYOND BEAUTY CAMPAIGN 🌸 Since 2023, we’ve worked closely with Glossier, Inc. on The Black Beauty Grant programme offering mentoring, resources and equity-free grants. To mark this milestone, we teamed up with storytelling agency JAIKU to spotlight the 15 UK Black beauty businesses that our programme has supported 💫 These women are redefining what success in beauty looks like: authentic, resilient and community-driven. By recognising the creativity and determination required to turn ideas into lasting impact, BEYOND BEAUTY rewrites the narrative about who gets to be seen, heard, and celebrated in the beauty industry. Head to our journal to read their stories! ✨   Credits:  Photography - Krystal Neuvill Words - Marianne Olaleye, founder of JAIKU https://lnkd.in/eQv6Vp6Y #BeyondBeauty

Over the last three years, we’ve been curating programmes, experiences and learning resources to combat the lack of funding for Black women founders in the beauty industry. Despite driving billions in consumer spending with some of the most innovative and culturally influential beauty brands, Black women founders remain underfunded, underrepresented, and over-scrutinised. To address this, we’re excited to launch BEYOND BEAUTY - a new project celebrating the Black women who are changing the face of the beauty industry. From kitchen tables to global shelves, we aim to highlight the real stories, the hustle and the heart that drive them. For many Black women, the personal cost is heavy: isolation, burnout, and the unspoken weight of carrying the expectation to succeed not just for themselves, but for their entire community. Beyond Beauty exists to honour the resilience and creativity of these women, sharing their triumphs, setbacks, and stories of perseverance. We’re eager to connect, learn and collaborate. Tag founders, investors and creators you think should be part of this project! ✨ We’re excited to expand our learning and collaborate, so feel free to say hello@blackgirlfest.com https://lnkd.in/eFMeNkuj Source Link: https://lnkd.in/ePznYKCi #BeyondBeauty

📍🇺🇸 Coming Soon! 👀🗽

Over the last few months, we've been deepening our research on the relationship young Black girls have with basketball, movement and creativity. Did you know that Basketball is the sport most Black girls identify with in the UK? Yet, despite 60% aspiring to become pro athletes, they remain one of the least active groups. The gap isn’t about interest. It’s about access. That's why this summer we’re on a mission to open up the game and create space for more girls to play and thrive. Watch this space for more info on how to get involved 🎉🚀 #BGFOffTheCourt #BlackGirlsinBasketball *Women in Sports - Black Girls and Sport: A breakup story 2025