The first annual Madam C.J. Walker Leadership Awards honored dedicated local entrepreneurs for their commitment, success and leadership in Bed-Stuy’s beauty care industry.
Sponsored by the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District, the Bed-Stuy Beauty Collective hosted its inaugural Madam C.J. Walker Leadership Awards event on Monday, March 19 at the Billie Holiday Theatre.
Personal care services represent approximately 47 percent of the employment industry and have become a vastly growing business right here in Brooklyn.
The Bed-Stuy Beauty Collective is a committee of experienced professionals in the personal care industry who are dedicated to supporting local businesses. Their ultimate goal: To promote and market Bed-Stuy’s beauty care businesses and to thereby draw a clientele that will bring economic growth to the entrepreneurs in the community.
With the Madam C.J. Walker Leadership Awards, named after the woman trailblazer who created specialized hair products for African-American hair and who was one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire, the collective is recognizing hard-working and talented professionals within the personal care sector.
Honorees included: Platinum Cuts, Lola’s Hair, Lana Discount Beauty Supply, and Brooklyn Beauty Mix. Take a look at our photos from Monday’s award ceremony.
Executive Director of BID, Medina Sadiq issues opening remarks. Photo credit: Margot Elise for BK Reader 
The panel of the Bed-Stuy Beauty Collective. Photo credit: Margot Elise for BK Reader 
Bed-Stuy’s Platinum Cuts was also among the evening’s honorees. Photo Credit: Margot Elise for BK Reader 
Karima Murphi of Brooklyn Beauty Mix accepting her award for her leadership in Bed-Stuy’s beauty care industry. Photo credit: Margot Elise for BK Reader 
Karima Murphi of Brooklyn Beauty Mix. Photo credit: Ipartynyc.net 
Executive Director of BID, Medina Sadiq (middle). Photo credit: Ipartynyc.net 
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams also joined the celebration. Photo credit: Ipartynyc.net 
Photo credit: Ipartynyc.net 
Photo credit: Ipartynyc.net
It is amazing to see the world celebrating women entrepreneurs, especially African-American individuals. They have made valuable contributions to the beauty industry for a quite long time, and it is actually motivating to see their efforts bear fruit!
There should be more such events in the future to encourage them to do better.