SHEAMOISTURE UK has launched a £40,000 fund to support black women who own salons in the UK.

The initiative is a response to the coronavirus crisis and aims to save salons from closure and provide support to entrepreneurs disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

The SheaMoisture UK Community Commerce Salon Relief Fund will gift three grants of £10,000 to three separate salon owners, and five grants of £2,000 to five different salon owners.

“COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to black female salon owners”

Simone Jordan, head of community commerce, Sundial Brands

In order to be considered for the grants, salon owners will need to demonstrate how their business supports their community and how the funds will support their staff and elevate their future business goals. Candidates will also be asked to demonstrate that they have positively adapted their business during COVID-19 – such as moving elements of their business online or donating to local hygiene banks.

“We could not be prouder to launch our first Community Commerce initiative in the UK. COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to black female salon owners, and it is important to SheaMoisture that we help to protect them during this time,” Simone Jordan, head of community commerce, Sundial Brands, which manufactures SheaMoisture, said.

Jordan added: “We want to demonstrate the power of black–owned businesses, to help their communities, and we also hope to minimise the financial disruptions that many are experiencing due to the global crisis. SheaMoisture was founded in these communities, and we will always find new ways to support and serve them.” 

The launch comes after the success of the $1m Community Commerce Fund that was launched in April to support minority owned businesses in the US.

Winners of the UK fund will be selected by an expert judging panel featuring editorial and celebrity hairstylist Stefan Bertin, entrepreneur and founder of Treasure Tress, Jamelia Donaldson, and natural hair influencer and owner of O So Curly, Shannon Fitzsimmons, aka UKCurlyGirl, and entrepreneur and founder of WCAN and Oja, Mariam Jimoh.

The recipients of the SheaMoisture UK Community Commerce Salon Relief Fund will be announced on 5 June 2020.

To support those selected for the SheaMoisture UK Community Commerce Salon Relief Fund, SheaMoisture UK has teamed up with WCAN.

Since launching in 2017, WCAN, which has a 5,000 strong membership, has become a hub for the personal and professional development of black women throughout the UK. It partners closely with businesses on strategies to attract, hire and retain talented black women.

WCAN supports black female owned businesses by supporting them with money management, sourcing investment, business acumen sessions and networking opportunities with people and mentors who can push their ventures forward.

As part of the partnership with WCAN, the SheaMoisture UK Community Commerce Salon Relief Fund awardees will be supported with longer term mentoring, webinars to enhance understanding of business, online community support, business spotlight on partner websites, and other hands on support to help grant recipients’ businesses to flourish through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Black female salon owners have until 31 May 2020 to apply for the SheaMoisture UK salon relief fund grants. Those interested are encouraged to enter the fund via social media at SheaMoisture UK’s Instagram page and via the online survey.