WITH the Black Lives Matter movement at the forefront of all news, some medical professionals and aestheticians in the beauty industry have formed a new platform to cater and investigate the experiences of black practitioners and consumers. The Black Aesthetics Advisory Board (BAAB) has now been launched having found that black practitioners are facing higher levels of discrimination and offered less opportunities within the beauty industry.
This new board aims to produce a detailed report that will outline guidelines to brands and other professionals to inform of training and to increase access for black patients to gain specialist advice.
Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, founder of Adonia Medical Clinic and NHS Medical Consultant
The BAAB board is composed of Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, Dr Tijon Esho, Dr Amiee Vyas and Dija Ayodele who have joined together to try to change the unconscious bias within the medicine, health and beauty industry.
They say, “Given the worldwide re-emergence of the Black Lives Matter campaign and the poor experience voiced by black and minority ethnic professionals as well as consumers, we were shocked at the silence from many quarters of the aesthetic industry. Coupled with our knowledge of BME patient experience, we want to investigate and inform change; from ensuring all practitioners understand the needs of black skin to increased representation of black professionals at all industry levels. Through this, we are also able to positively impact the experience of black patients and professionals within aesthetics.”
Early July will see a purpose-driven survey that engages in all sectors of the beauty industry to come down to pick an advisory panel that will step up to guide a change in beauty. The results of this survey will be published in the autumn.
by Imogen Clark