Four of five students awarded a $2,000 scholarship and an opportunity to be mentored by a L’Oréal USA senior executive in an all-expense paid trip to New York are from Jackson State University.
The hair care company’s Young Women With a Purpose Project is part of L’Oréal’s Dark and Lovely Multicultural Beauty Division in collaboration with the Tom Joyner Foundation.
Vivianna Blanch, vice president of Integrated Consumer Communications of L’Oréal’s USA MultiCultural Beauty Division, said, “We are delighted to partner with The Tom Joyner Foundation to create an amazing opportunity for a group of deserving young college students. With a great interest in mentoring and giving back to the community, this was a great opportunity for Dark and Lovely to help mold young women to be future professionals in the beauty industry.”
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE four JSU scholars are:
- Jesslyn Course, a sophomore mass communications major from Utica. Her mentor was Erica Bowen, vice president of business development for L’Oréal’s beauty division
- Ariel Davis, a sophomore economics major from Chicago. Her mentor was Angela Rutherford, vice president of finance for L’Oréal’s beauty division.
- April Fulgham, a sophomore is a biology major from Chicago. Fulgham was paired with Cecilia Nelson-Hurt, assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion for L’Oréal.
- Markeisha James, a sophomore chemistry pre-pharmacy major from Jackson. James shadowed Sivonne Davis, assistant vice president of marketing for L’Oréal’s beauty division.
The fifth scholar, DesTeen Green of Jackson, is a junior chemistry major at Tuskegee University. Her mentor was Lisa Price, founder and senior creative director of Carol’s Daughter, L’Oreal USA.
Dr. Richard A. Aló, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said, “The opportunities our students are gaining on a national sphere is incredible. Being afforded the chance to utilize the tools provided to them, inside of the classroom, at this state in their matriculation is atypical. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to cheering them on to very bright futures.”
[dropcap]”[/dropcap][dropcap]S[/dropcap]UPPORTING educational programs is a key pillar of the Multicultural Beauty Division’s sustainability platform,” said Cherie Washington, a L’Oréal assistant in the beauty division. “The Tom Joyner Foundation is an incredible partner because it values education and empowering others as much as we do. Through its extensive initiatives and partnerships in support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, it has helped thousands of students complete their education. We are pleased to work with such a great organization.”