“Please don’t take offense to my truth. It’s my truth. If my words hit hard, ask yourself why?”

bring recognition to your pages for likes and comments. WE ARE NOT A TREND.

Someone who takes “the road less traveled” is acting independently, freeing themselves from conformity of others. This is a lonely road. And I get it, it’s not for everyone. Having the courage to stand up for what you believe in can be exhausting. Especially when it directly affects you.

Before I am anything, I am a Black woman. Before you see my knowledge, my accomplishments, my position, my compassion; I am a Black woman. And if my Blackness intimidates you, that has nothing to do with me and everything to do with you. I am tired of trying to make you feel comfortable by dimming my light so you can shine yours.

Know that, it is not my job to make you feel comfortable in my presence. Please, don’t get me wrong, I am not discrediting your feelings of discomfort, I know how that feels. But what I am saying is, what you do with that discomfort is your responsibility.

I am not new to the industry, I’ve been here. It’s been over 25 years. And at some point, I too watched silently and was part of the exclusion of the BIPOC community from imagery, from education, and from product development. It was easier for me to pretend to fit in, so I applauded when I saw the token black girl. You know, the one that’s at the end of every hairshow… the “show stopper” with hair that is poorly executed and make up that does not complement her skin tone. That’s all I knew, that is what was given to me, so I thought it was all I deserved. I’m not doing that anymore. Let’s start to appreciate the beauty behind all cultures and recognize the many capabilities of all textures of hair. ITS TIME EDUCATE.

I feel like we’ve been here before… The promise of change. But how can we make change when many of the leaders of our industry don’t see or understand what the change is for? I understand that change cannot happen overnight but let’s at least be open. See, hear and recognize the needs of others and approach this change with sincerity. I hope you can acknowledge that I have more to bring to the table than just my skin colour. That I’m not just the black face on your stage. I hope you can acknowledge the value I bring and appreciate my talents.

“Your clients aren’t our clients” (I still don’t know what that means). I refuse to acknowledge what that means. As a black woman in the beauty industry lobbying and creating change, I have heard many things. I’m sorry, but last I checked, our clients are industry professionals which I believe to be everyone’s clients. “Multicultural” does not mean black… But if it did, why are they not your clients?

Please don’t take offense to my truth. It’s my truth. If my words hit hard, ask yourself why?

The time is now, and I will no longer allow you to put me in a category that I haven’t placed myself in. So, no, you cannot touch my hair or feel my skin. It is not appropriate to call me “Black Panther.” I am not your queen of Wakanda, and it is never okay to use the N-word. Even if I am not present. I ask, if you could please stop labelling me as an angry black woman just because I take a stance or have a strong opinion. This agenda does not belong to me solely, though I am very proud to help lead. This is the world’s agenda and it seems the only industry to not fully understand the assignment is the professional beauty industry.

For a moment I thought we were making changes. I thought we all taken a stance in regards to the future of diversity within the beauty industry? I mean, you all have a DEI department, right? Let me ask you, when was the last time you actioned an initiative to better understand the needs of your entire team? And let me be clear, I’m not taking a stance just for the black community, but for all those who call the beauty industry home. I thought we were taking small steps to create big changes. The only changes I see happening is the lack of support. I am proud that as a company, our position, mandate and direction remain the same. “The Beauty of Inclusion” was trending long before we were supposedly trending…

So, I’ll leave you with this. Diversity and inclusion should not be an imposition, or something that is overlooked, but as a stepping stone that will open doors, building new relations and new business. It is an opportunity to see all sides of beauty and integrate that into your brand messages. I’m going to do this with or without you. The goal is to welcome all allies who will stand for us when we cannot stand for ourselves, who will be our voice when we cannot speak and who will remember us in conversations, when we are forgotten. I boldly ask that if you stand with us, stand proud, and with confidence. If you choose not to stand, don’t pretend, step aside. LET’S TAKE ACTION.

Andrea Sampson always “addressing hair by texture not race”.