Amika’s “Rooted in Growth” grant and mentorship program has announced the latest beauty founders to receive $50K grants plus mentorship opportunities.
It’s the third year for the program for underrepresented entrepreneurs, administered by the hair-care brand along with the nonprofit Fifteen Percent Pledge. Its goal is to create more equitable pathways for founders from diverse backgrounds, spanning race, gender, identity, and economic experience, to access the funding, mentorship, and industry networks needed to grow and thrive.
The founders of the brands MoKnowsHair, SQUIGS, The Frontal Queen, and Young King Hair Care will each receive a $50K grant, along with a four-month mentorship program. Amika will guide the business owners as they scale, offering financial support as well as mentorship in product development, marketing, operations, and distribution.
Here is this year’s winning cohort of founders:
Adey Olaoluwa, founder and CEO of The Frontal Queen brand of wigs, lace frontals, bundles and wig-care products.
“I've always believed in the power of creativity, culture, and community, and this grant is such a powerful affirmation of that,” she says. “We can’t wait to grow with the support of amika and the Fifteen Percent Pledge, and to show what’s possible when you bet on Black beauty.”
Stefan Miller, founder of the Young King Hair Care brand for boys and young men with curls, locs, and waves.
“This grant from amika represents more than financial support, it’s an investment in representation, empowerment, and opportunity,” he says. “It allows us to expand into a key channel for growth while continuing to create space for young Black boys, teens, and young adults to see themselves reflected and celebrated through products made just for them.”
Monica Stevens, founder of the MoKnowsHair collection of products for natural and curly hair types.
"I am humbled to be chosen for this opportunity to learn and grow my business,” she says. "This grant is going to allow me to offer stylists resources for healthy, textured hair care that will elevate their salons and clientele."
Nikita Charuza, founder and CEO of SQUIGS, a product line free of synthetics and dyes and utilizing Ayurvedic ingredients.
“I'm beyond honored that SQUIGS was chosen to be a part of amika's Rooted in Growth recipient!” she says. “As a proud, bootstrapped South Asian owned and inspired brand, our mission of Happy Headcare was created to make Ayurveda feel fun and approachable to all.”
“We believe access and mentorship are key to unlocking a more inclusive future in beauty,” says amika’s CEO, Chelsea Riggs. “This program is our way of supporting the next generation of founders who are driving meaningful change, both behind the chair and beyond it.”