Spelman College is the first HBCU to offer a cosmetic chemistry track

Spelman College is making strides for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and ladies keen on STEM careers in the beauty industry.

The Women’s School is the first HBCU to offer cosmetic chemistry classes.

Spelman announced the news in a March 6 press release. The program will begin in the upcoming fall semester. What began as an internet certification will now include courses offered as a part of the concentration track for chemistry majors.

Noting increased student interest in the online program, the university also wants to help address the issue of diversity in the beauty industry. Only 2.5% of beauty brands are Black-owned, and yet they proceed to thrive in a competitive market.

Spelman goals to create a pipeline for the next cohort of Black founders with the science education available today.

“The program will be far-reaching and support our students and faculty in making a difference in a field that serves Black women as consumers, based on the science in the field,” Spelman Chancellor Dr. Pamela Scott-Johnson said in a statement. “We are excited to continue our evolution to create new academic offerings that meet industry demands.”

“I am pleased that we now offer a degree program that combines Spelman students’ experience with the beauty and personal care industry. The new concentration of majors and majors will keep our students competitive for advanced study and careers in this field,” said Dr. Leyte Winfield, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and chair of the department of life sciences and arithmetic

The goal of this program is to provide students with a specific path in cosmetic chemistry that may lead to more beauty and hair care products with Black women at the forefront. Focuses on molecular science related to product formulation. Cosmetic chemicals can be available in concentration and to a lesser extent.

Spelman also announced a week-long summer intensive in cosmetic law. The June 2-8 program will feature seminars and panels featuring Black women product developers and researchers.