Kristen Noelle Crawley, founder and CEO of KNC Beauty, has announced a groundbreaking initiative in response to the "Black Lives" movement and the protests that have swept the nation (opens in new tab). The beauty entrepreneur is launching the first educational program to help Black women entrepreneurs navigate the beauty industry and successfully launch and grow their businesses. The program, dubbed KNC School of Beauty, will launch on July 14 via Zoom.

In her announcement, Crawley said it has always been her dream to build a skin care line and a platform to inspire others. She explained that she felt now was the perfect time to move it forward: "This is an opportunity to give BIPOC's female business owners a place to interact with inspiring, new business-minded students"

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The program is divided into four semesters, with information focusing on entrepreneurship, dealing with adversity, social media marketing, and strategic partnerships with investors. This four-part program allows students to learn directly from successful beauty founders such as Nancy Twine of Briogeo, Trinity Mouzon of Golde, and Melissa Butler of The Lip Bar. The program is tuition-free and each student will receive a $10,000 grant.

Revlon, a brand with which Crowley frequently partners and which recently became a member of the Brand Diversity Council, has pledged $25,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund on behalf of KNC School of Beauty It has pledged to donate $25,000. An official link for registration will be provided in early July.