BEAUTY Meet Melissa Hibbert

Meet Melissa Hibbert A Letter from Our Creative Director

Hello Readers and welcome to the Winter Issue!

As the newly appointed Creative Director, I’d love to share a little about myself and my journey to HOPE Magazine. Growing up, I always enjoyed magazines as a reader. I genuinely enjoyed the experience of flipping through each page, of being guided through a complete experience from beginning to end with the pleasure of discovery. This curated nature of print media and that it defines a very particular moment in time is what has always made magazines so special to me. After graduating college from the illustrious Fisk University, I hopped on a one-way flight to New York City in hopes of landing a job with the leading publication for women of color. I received a job offer, but the income was low – extremely low. Although the magazine was prestigious, I knew I would not survive or thrive on that income. Despite being tearfully disappointed at the time, I forged ahead, landing a great and financially rewarding position with an agency in brand licensing and marketing at the age of 21.

For the next 14 years, I climbed the corporate ladder successfully. Armed with a Bachelor’s and an MBA in Media Management, I had a “seat at the table” in Executive roles in brand strategy as well as product and entertainment marketing with some of the biggest organizations such as Monet & Napier Jewelry, Nike Inc./Jordan Brand, Viacom/BET Networks, Uniworld Advertising Group, 944 Magazine and The Los Angeles Time Entertainment Marketing division.

In 2012, I knew it was time to pursue the industry that had been tugging at my heart strings since I was a teenager. I leaned on faith and I left corporate America to launch a business in beauty as a Creative Makeup Professional/Expert, in addition to hiring and staffing behind-the-scenes makeup and hair talent to work in film and television.

In 2019, I launched SHYFT Beauty, where I have the distinct pleasure of accelerating the growth and scale of female-founded beauty brands through strategic partnerships, product development, consumer product testing, marketing and omnichannel distribution. Along my journey in beauty, I have met some incredible women, including HOPE Magazine Founder & CEO, Angelia Stone – there was an instant rapport and relational energy that connected us. Within a very short period, I was honored to have been asked to be featured in the 2020 Summer Issue. We kept in touch and a few months ago, I was asked to serve as the Creative Director. I was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of not only joining the team, but this was a great compliment to the work I am doing within SHYFT Beauty. This is a natural extension of my business and background, as an integral part of this legacy powerhouse publication for women, by women and about women who inspire!

As the Creative Director, I am proud to lead in shaping the visual direction behind HOPE Magazine and its quarterly cover stories. Our Winter Issue features a cover story on Real Estate CEO, Makeda Smith. The photographs, in collaboration with photographer Carl Ankrum, illustrate Makeda’s legacy as a regal, yet formidable symbol of Black wealth, global mindset and creativity in real estate.

I have always loved being around passionate, ambitious, smart, authentic, savvy and bold women. I am in awe of women who are on the move, making things happen, being courageous, having hope, living their best life or creating their dream life, while building a legacy. I decided on the theme “Winter Wealth, Elegance & Beauty” for this Issue as it’s time we not only highlight women and the pursuit of wealth, in addition to unique stories related to the history of wealth, but also dynamic articles from writers who share the passion to help others strive for greatness, along with a holiday beauty guide that features emerging brands we should all support.

What a joy it is to work with HOPE Magazine’s awesome team of women and play a part in amplifying excellence in each and every issue!

Grateful, Hopeful and Inspired,

Melissa R. Hibbert Creative Director Founder of SHYFT Beauty