By Tessa Scott
Special to The Truth
The University of Toledo hosted the inaugural Melanin & Crown Expo: The Hair and Skin Educational Forum, on Tuesday, October 29, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the newly renovated Delta Hotels Toledo, located on Health Science Campus.
This first-of-its-kind event, led by the Office of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, under the leadership of Valerie Walston Simmons pays tribute to the Crown Act and aims to empower the community through education on hair and skin care, while also supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in the beauty industry.
Event Highlights:
- Panel Discussions:with Educators, Salon owners, Beauty experts, and industry leaders sharing insights on how to launch and sustain successful businesses related to cosmetology and cosmetic science
- Donation to Boys and Girls Club:Ifontology, Owner Tequila Holloway donated Ifuntology curriculum to Boys and Girls club of Toledo. This program includes virtual classes, training, and certificates. It also promotes entrepreneurship best practices for middle and high school students. The cost of the donated curriculum is in excess of 10K.
- Live Demonstrations:featuring hairstyling techniques, skin care routines, and product innovations from local salons and beauty professionals.
- Vendor Engagement: Attendees can interact with a variety of vendors offering live demos, product samples, giveaways, and educational resources, including many local businesses and beauty suppliers.
This impactful forum brings together students, staff, faculty, alumni, business owners, barbers, hairstylists, and beauty enthusiasts from across the Toledo community to engage with industry leaders and explore the latest trends and opportunities in the world of beauty and self-care.
UToledo’s staff are excited to partner with The University of Toledo’s College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, home to the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design. This unique program prepares students for careers in the beauty and personal care industry, focusing on the science behind product formulation. The college recently launched an online master’s program in cosmetic science, further expanding opportunities for professionals to advance their knowledge and skills in this innovative field. We are thrilled to collaborate and highlight this cutting-edge education at the 2024 Melanin and Crown Expo!
This event was designed to celebrate cultural heritage and diversity through the lens of hair and skin, paying homage to the Crown Act. It included engaging live demos, a panel discussion, and networking opportunities. This was a great educational space for beauticians, barbers, estheticians, and entrepreneurs, as well as individuals interested in expanding their knowledge of hair and skin care.
UT extended thanks to everyone who attended THE MELANIN & CROWN EXPO!!! and gratitude for the incredible turnout and the vibrant community spirit. A special shoutout was given to the vendors for their dedication, as well as the sponsors Charita Marie, @UToledo Health, Huntington National Bank, Office of Multi-Cultural Student Success , The Stalwart Magazine, and @CGI community growth initiative for their support. Thank you to all the students, community members, entrepreneurs, barbers, beauticians, and estheticians who made this event a success. Huge thanks to our team, partners @UToledo College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceuticals Sciences, the panel, the speakers, and co-host UToledo Health for helping us bring this fantastic event to life.
