Design Essentials CEO Announces $250,000 Pledge to Spelman College During Homecoming Weekend

Design Essentials has announced a landmark multi-year pledge of $250,000 to Spelman College, marking a new chapter in the beauty brand’s ongoing investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The commitment will fund scholarships, student initiatives, and programs supporting the next generation of Black women leaders in science and innovation.

The announcement came as part of Spelman and Morehouse College’s Homecoming Week, where Design Essentials hosted several on-campus events celebrating beauty, culture, and community. The brand sponsored experiences that included a kick-off concert featuring Ari Lennox, a golf tournament, and personalized styling sessions for students and alumni.

“As a member of the Design Essentials family, I’m incredibly proud to celebrate Spelman’s Homecoming,” said Cornell McBride, president of Design Essentials. “As a Black-owned, Atlanta-based beauty brand, we’ve pledged a $250,000 donation to Spelman College to help empower the next generation of female chemists and innovators. This contribution is part of our 35th anniversary celebration — a moment to reflect on more than three decades of helping people embrace their hair, their culture, and their self-defined beauty. Congratulations to Spelman, and thank you for allowing us to be part of your remarkable legacy.”

Founded in Atlanta in 1990, Design Essentials has built its reputation on professional-grade hair care products and partnerships that highlight community advancement. The brand’s latest investment underscores its commitment to promoting HBCU excellence and fostering opportunities for young women to pursue leadership in STEM fields.

The pledge extends Design Essentials’ long-term goal of empowering education, entrepreneurship, and representation within the beauty industry and beyond.