By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), on Sept. 8, launched the District’s new Fast Beauty Initiative at the grand opening of Yeleen Beauty Makerspace, a co-manufacturing facility and tech hub in Ward 7. The aim of the initiative is to refine licensing requirements in the beauty industry and make Washington, D.C., more competitive.
“Our growth agenda is about making it easier to do business in D.C. so that we can grow our economy and get people connected to great jobs,” Bowser said in a statement. “We have a thriving beauty industry in D.C. and this new initiative and this new makerspace will ensure we keep more of those dollars in our community and in the pockets of D.C. residents.”
The initiative will reduce requirements that make cosmetology and barbering professionals complete minimum training hours in several disciplines, even if they intend to focus on only one. The changes aim to save professionals from committing hundreds of unnecessary training hours.
“The changes reflect DLCP’s (D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) ongoing commitment to removing barriers, lowering costs and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs by streamlining processes and modernizing standards to help beauty professionals launch careers and grow businesses,” said Tiffany Crowe, director of DLCP. “Initiatives such as Fast Beauty advance Mayor Bowser’s vision for a thriving, inclusive local economy.”
The announcement took place during the grand opening of Yeleen Beauty Makerspace, a recipient of a $640,000 D.C. Locally Made Manufacturing Grant. The purpose of the facility is to reduce barriers to market entry for local plant-based beauty entrepreneurs through business and education support for companies that sell products for the hair and body.
“Come and support them with your dollars, because when we keep investing, amplifying and supporting the brands in our communities, we change our communities for good,” said Rahama Wright, founder and CEO of Yeleen Beauty, during the livestreamed event. “Let’s make D.C. not only our nation’s capital, but the beauty capital.”
Wright cited a McKinsey study showing that while Black consumers drive over 11 percent of beauty sales in the $60 billion industry, Black founders receive just 1 percent of available funding.
Leaders emphasized how the initiative and the makerspace opening will support Black-owned businesses.
“This is not just a manufacturing hub, it is a launch pad for dreams…a space that provides access to training and resources they need to compete in an industry that has too often left them behind,” said D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7).
With the Fast Beauty Initiative and Yeleen’s expansion, leaders say it reflects the wider endeavor to strengthen the region’s economy while ensuring all entrepreneurs, businesses have a chance to succeed.