Keke Palmer is the new brand director of Creme Of Nature – Essence

Keke Palmer new position of brand director for Nature’s Cream This is a natural evolution for her as she is known for her authenticity and love of storytelling. In this role, Palmer enjoys telling stories differently—through the lens of marketing and community engagement.

“What I liked most was the opportunity to tell the story from a different point of view,” Palmer tells ESSENCE exclusively. “As an artist, I tell stories through acting, hosting and music, but with marketing it’s a bigger story.” Palmer emphasizes that this larger narrative is rooted in community – something near her heart as a Chicagoan.

Creme of Nature, founded by a hairstylist on Chicago’s South Side, has long been a staple in black hair care. Now Palmer is thrilled to be part of a brand with such a legacy and needs to proceed that legacy with a seat at the corporate table.

As someone known for championing self-expression and individuality, Palmer brings her trademark energy to her new role. “I’m excited about the fans’ feedback. From the moment I announced the role, people started telling me what products they wanted me to come back to.” But beyond the products, Palmer strives to offer fans with greater than only a direct spokesperson. “I would like to point out people how I make a set of flexi-rods or methods to get the perfect silk press. It’s about fiddling with your hair and ensuring you’ll be able to manipulate it without harming it.

Palmer is keen about combining traditional brand elements with modern trends while maintaining its deep roots in the Black community. “We are wondering how to keep this traditional element, but at the same time make it reflect contemporary hairstyles and fashion. Millennials are in a space where we are tapping into our big boss energy, and I want that to be reflected in the brand as well.”

As for future projects, Palmer is excited to depart the personal and practical behind. “I’m an IRL person. I really like the demo moment, the girl moment, the togetherness moment. I would like to create opportunities where we will meet and discuss methods to use these products. She also enjoys supporting local hair stylists and contributing to the community in a big way.

Palmer’s exposure to hair care began in childhood, when the joy of experimenting with hair became fun moments together with her mother. “As a baby, I all the time played with my hair. My mom was brushing my hair and I used to be fiddling with it until she got here back and said, “Girl, what did you do?” Now Palmer desires to bring back that very same sense of fun and experimentation in hair care, emphasizing that it is not about perfection, but about having fun with the process together with your family members.

Through her new role, Palmer will make an enduring impact by combining her personal experiences, community mindset and creativity to steer Creme of Nature into an exciting new chapter.