Before TikTok took the beauty world by storm, there was a crew of Black beauty gurus who laid the groundwork for everything we see today. These OGs—Jackie Aina, MakeupShayla, Arnell Armon, Alissa Ashley, Aaliyah Jay, Shalom Blac and Patricia Bright—didn’t just step into the beauty industry; they kicked down the doors, shattered the glass ceilings and made space for themselves and countless others. As we celebrate Black Business Month, it’s only right to give these pioneers their flowers. They didn’t just work jobs; they became the jobs, turning their passions into thriving businesses and inspiring a new generation of Black beauty influencers.

Jackie Aina, the queen of calling out brands on their lack of inclusivity, started her journey at a time when beauty was anything but diverse. With

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