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PEPSI® Spotlights Female Trailblazers in Music and Web3, and Gives Back to Deserving Women through Pepsi Stronger Together and Pepsi Dig In Initiatives for Mary J. Blige’s Inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival

Business

By Cision PR Newswire

In partnership with Mary J. Blige, Pepsi – co-presenter of the inaugural “Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit” during Mother’s Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia – announces a full three days of immersive programming to help elevate, entertain, and educate women in the Atlanta area and beyond. With a lineup of iconic female music superstars including Mary J. Blige herself, Chaka Khan, Ella Mai and many more, Atlanta will be moving to the soulful sounds of true music legends, but the action-packed festival goes beyond just music and entertainment. Pepsi is co-presenting the full weekend of festivities with Mary J. Blige and her team to amplify, spotlight and support the talented – and underrepresented – voices of the community, through events and activations inspired by the brand’s rich heritage in music and entertainment, and latest contributions to culture and community. Activations include:

Pepsi Partners with Cutting Edge Web3 Female Artists to Bring Attendees Collectible Custom NFTs: Designed in partnership with leading female artists Rachel Winter (Remarkable Women NFT collection), Shaylin Wallace (digital and graphic designer specializing in surreal art), Amber Vittoria (It’s Because You’re Pretty NFT collection) and Varvara Alay (Flower Girls NFT collection), Pepsi is creating a curated set of unique NFTs exclusively for Summit attendees. Distributed as digital tokens known as Proof of Attendance Protocols (POAPs), these NFTs are true pieces of art that celebrate the partnership with the “Strength of a Woman” Festival and unapologetic love for music. Festival attendees will be able to secure these one-of-a-kind digital works of art, free on-site on Saturday, May 7 from 11 AM – 6 PM via digital kiosks. Featured artists will also have selected works displayed at a gallery within The Gathering Spot on Saturday for festival attendees to explore, along with direct access to their public galleries and personal stores. Additionally, Shaylin and Amber will join moderator Sian Morson for the “Empowering Marginalized Voices with NFTs” panel on Saturday from 4:00 – 4:30 PM to discuss web3, the digital art community, how their personal efforts and work can empower and amplify marginalized voices and provide a real-time tutorial of the POAPs.

Pepsi Showcases Pepsi Music Lab Finalist StarchildKayla and Her Original Track, “Up!”: In December, Pepsi launched Pepsi Music Lab, an annual program designed to remove music industry barriers, create new opportunities for artists, and shine a spotlight on the next generation of hip-hop superstars. StarchildKayla, one of three program finalists selected from thousands of applicants will be showcasing her new, original track “Up!” that she created at the first-ever Pepsi Music Lab Academy during the opening of the Friday night concert at the Tabernacle on May 6. The brand is also bringing Pepsi Music Lab to the Summit with an interactive panel moderated by Rachel Jackson, Artist Relations Manager at YouTube Music, featuring Black female talent managers – Claudine Joseph (LL Cool J), Nicole Jackson (MJB), and Ebonie Ward (Future, Gunna) who will discuss how to successfully navigate the music industry.

Pepsi Stronger Together Empowers Atlanta Women by Supporting Black Female Entrepreneurs and Local Organizations That Uplift the Community: Pepsi Stronger Together, PepsiCo’s grassroots series of initiatives which started at the height of the pandemic as a way to directly and positively impact micro-communities across the country, will be providing grants to a selection of local Black entrepreneurs and organizations with the aim to support and uplift women from the inside out. Organizations being supported for their work in empowering Atlanta’s strong, aspirational women include Black-owned businesses The Village Market, 1787 Capital Group and The Pink Boss, and nonprofits City of Refuge, for their work in providing services to women and people in crisis; and Silence the Shame, which aims to break the barriers of access to mental health; and The Pinky Cole Foundation, for empowering generations of color in pursuit of their entrepreneurial dreams, among others. Pepsi Stronger Together will also host a panel moderated by award winning actress and singer-songwriter Naturi Naughton featuring Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon (The Village Market), Myleik Teele (Curl Box, 1787 Capital Group), and Vanessa Parker (The Pink Box). They will discuss their own entrepreneurial and mental wellness journeys.

Pepsi Dig In and Celebrity Chef, Carla Hall, Support Black Restauranteurs in Atlanta and Beyond: Pepsi is bringing the Pepsi Dig In program, a multi-year mission and investment to support and empower Black owned restaurants across the country, to Atlanta. Carla Hall will moderate a panel of Black female-owned restauranteurs including Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan), Rasheeda (Frost Bistro and Bar), and Tamara Young (Toast on Lennox) to discuss successes and challenges in the food industry. The brand is partnering with Black female-owned restaurants Slutty Vegan, Fowl Play, Lazy Foodie, and Cookie Society to create “Food Truck Village” at The Gathering Spot, where attendees can get free beverages, merchandise, cookies, and other bites while at the Summit on Saturday, May 7. Visitors of the “Food Truck Village” will also be able to nominate their favorite Black-owned restaurants for Pepsi Dig In’s new Restaurant Royalty program, which will formulate the ultimate list of the most loved Black-owned restaurants in the country. Restaurants can be nominated via https://passport.pepsidigin.com.

“This weekend is so important because it is so much more than a concert. There are panels, classes, food events and more, aimed specifically at highlighting and supporting trailblazing BIPOC women in the greater Atlanta community,” said Ashaunna Ayars, festival partner and Founder of The Ayars Agency. “With Pepsi as a co-presenter, we’ve been able to utilize their massive scale to make this beyond anything we could have imagined when we first came up with this idea. It’s a true celebration of the strength of a woman and how that comes to life every day in music, food, culture, art, finance and much more.”

“I’m deeply proud of what this festival represents and the way we’ve been able to use our resources at Pepsi to be true collaborators and help co-present this important event,” said Todd Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer – Pepsi. “When we engaged with Mary J. Blige last year at the start of our Pepsi Halftime Show journey, we were blown away by her drive and compassion in using her platform and voice to help others. So when this opportunity was born using music as an entry way to help amplify and elevate this underserved community of women, we were all in. We’re so excited to see it come to life next month.”

“Our work in communities is anchored in our goal to utilize our brand platform as an arbiter of positive change and progress. Whether it’s our work with local restauranteurs, aspiring entrepreneurs or a legendary talent like Mary J. Blige, we want to celebrate success at the local level while creating opportunities to pay it forward, which is what we hope fans takeaway throughout the festival,” said Chauncey Hamlett, Chief Marketing Officer, South Division – Pepsi.

“Our mission with Pepsi Dig In remains laser focused on resourcing and championing Black-owned restaurants and chefs,” says Alexis Porter, Senior Director, Brand Building, PepsiCo Foodservice. “We are excited to partner with Mary J. Blige and the Strength of a Woman Festival to launch our new Restaurant Royalty program and ultimately, to amplify the voices of innovative Black women in the culinary industry.”

Click here to read the full article on Cision PR Newswire.

New Women of Color in Business: Cross-Generational Survey©, by Harvard Business School Alumnae and Business Leaders Bonita C. Stewart and Jacqueline Adams, Sponsored by Google, Published Today

BusinessCareers

By PR Newswire

Today, Harvard Business School alumnae and co-authors Bonita C. Stewart and Jacqueline Adams published their 2021 U.S. Women of Color in Business: Cross-Generational Survey© sponsored by Google. Titled Untapped Women of Color: The Talent Force Multiplier, the new release, and third in five planned annual surveys, is unique in its analysis of the opinions and capabilities of women desk workers and students across four generations. The work also highlights new, evolving skills and attitudes that managers must develop to assess and motivate talent, across cultures as well as generations, in the complex post-COVID workplace.

For the first time, the 2021 edition of the U.S. Women of Color in Business: Cross-Generational Survey© compared and contrasted the experiences of 300 White and Black male managers with those of 4,000 women managers and desk workers across four races (Black, LatinX, Asian American and White) and four generations (Gen Z students [ages 17-24], Millennials [ages 25-39], Gen X [ages 40-56], and Boomers [ages 57-74]). The results underscore the need for a more nuanced appreciation of “generational diversity,” an original concept coined by Stewart and Adams.

In addition to including Black and White male managers, this year’s survey takes a deeper look at Asian American women desk workers, with differentiating responses by the women’s countries of origin: China, Vietnam, India and the Philippines.

Co-authors Adams and Stewart, a Board Partner at Google’s Gradient Ventures, note that they truly appreciate Google’s support of their work. “The company’s sponsorship validates the originality and importance of our research,” they say. “We are also grateful for the on-going expertise of our survey partner, Quadrant Strategies. We believe creating a talent multiplier requires building new management capability in the areas of Cultural Intelligence (CQ), as well as understanding Generational Diversity in the workplace.”

“The data leads the co-authors to the conclusion that great managers matter,” says Melonie Parker, Chief Diversity Officer at Google. “The underappreciated generational changes identified in the survey should encourage and challenge leaders to assess ‘untapped’ talent pools as a force multiplier for business success. At Google, we see this research as another lens to inform our ongoing work to build belonging, while providing exceptional thought leadership to all companies navigating the growing complexities of the workplace.”

Highlights from the new research include:
Despite promises of progress, despite disruptions to corporate recruiting, the co-authors’ chief performance metric – the Onlys – remains stalled, with almost half of Black and LatinX women continuing to report being frequently or always the only person of their races in professional settings.

More distressing is that the number of Black and LatinX Millennial Onlys has spiked: 55% for Black and 45% for LatinX.

The 2021 results show clear differentiations among Black and LatinX Millennial women, especially when it comes to confidence about the future, ways of coping with workplace stresses, and even teaming up within the “sisterhood.”

This was a breakaway year for innovation among Millennials, what this survey calls “First to Know About Technology.” 44% of Black Millennial women desk workers said they are always the first to know; 42% for LatinX, 33% for Asian Americans and 38% for White Millennials.

Black and LatinX women reported that they are actively participating in the current startup boom.

32% of Black Millennial women said they founded or co-founded the company they work at, more than doubling the 14% in 2020.

Just as they reported in 2020, Black women across all generations are more likely to be “side-preneurs”—to have a business they are working on outside of their desk jobs. 27% said they are side-entrepreneurs, as opposed to 16% LatinX, 11% Asian American, and 12% White women.

Millennial women are acknowledging systemic racism in the U.S. and are not shy about using their power to address it.

In 2021, Asian American women fell behind other racial groups, across all generations, in terms of career satisfaction.

Only 30% of Asian American women (down from 39% in 2020) agreed a great deal that they’ve had the opportunity to do meaningful and satisfying work, compared to 42% White women, 47% LatinX women, and 51% Black women).

Chinese American respondents, in particular, reported the lowest career satisfaction, while Indian American, Filipina American, and Vietnamese American women were comparatively more satisfied.

Only 17% of Chinese American women feel greatly fulfilled at work, compared to 33% of Filipina American women, 32% of Indian American women, and 31% of Vietnamese American women.

Click here to read the full article on PR Newswire.

Barbie releases first-ever doll with hearing aids. 5 other groundbreaking Barbies

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By Ishita Srivastava, Daily O

Barbie has been an icon and inspiration for women across the world. Since its creation in 1959, Barbie has evolved from being only a doll for young girls to a global symbol of ‘anything is possible’.

The doll, however, has a long history of lacking inclusivity, in terms of race and body shape. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Lizzo have made the non-Barbie body type ‘stylish’ and as social media is evolving to become a safe space for all body types and races, Barbie has begun making changes of its own.

Here are 5 groundbreaking Barbie dolls that promote body acceptance and racial diversity:

1. HEARING AID BARBIE

On May 11, Barbie’s latest Fashionistas line was announced and it was a reason for joy for many consumers with hearing disabilities. The new collection, for the first time, features a Barbie doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids.

The new line also features a doll with a prosthetic leg and a Ken doll with vitiligo.

Mattel’s Barbie team collaborated with expert and hearing loss advocate Dr Jen Richardson in order to accurately represent the doll.

“I’m honoured to have worked with Barbie to create an accurate reflection of a doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids. As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, it’s inspiring to see those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll,” said Dr Richardson.

While in 2020, Mattel did release a Barbie doll with vitiligo, this is the first time a Ken doll has been released with the skin disease. (Read more about vitiligo Barbie here: 11 fancy Barbie dolls we wish we had in the 90s. Just like the Queen Elizabeth one)

2. DISABLED BARBIE

Barbie’s 2019 Fashionistas line marked the first time Mattel released Barbie dolls with physical disabilities. Available to buy since June 2019, the new line featured a Barbie doll with a prosthetic leg and another doll with a wheelchair.

Similar to Mattel’s collaboration with Dr Richardson to create a Barbie doll with hearing aids, Mattel joined hands with 13-year-old disability activist who was born without a left forearm, Jordan Reeves in 2019 to create the Barbie doll with a prosthetic leg.

Mattel also worked with the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and wheelchair experts to design the Barbie doll with a wheelchair.

Not only the physically disabled Barbie dolls, Mattel also introduced a Barbie DreamHouse compatible ramp to promote infrastructure accessibility for the physically disabled.

3. BODY POSITIVE BARBIE

Back in January 2016, Mattel announced that Barbie will now be available to buy in three new body shapes; tall, petite and curvy, marking the first time the popularly skinny doll was available in other body types.

At the time, spokeswoman Michelle Chidoni explained that the new Barbie dolls will allow “the product line to be a better reflection of what girls see in the world around them.”

4. ASIAN BARBIE

Named Oriental Barbie, Mattel’s first Asian Barbie doll was released in 1981. The collector doll was a part of Barbie’s Dolls of the World collection.

The Oriental Barbie was released in a long yellow dress with red trimmings and a red and golden-flowered jacket. Oriental Barbie described herself as from Hong Kong. Since Oriental Barbie was the first Barbie of its kind, the face sculpt came to be known as the Oriental / Miko / Kira Face Sculpt.

While Mattel did release an Asian Barbie in 1981, it was ultimately in March 2022 when the toymaker released its first Desi Barbie. To celebrate Women’s History Month, Mattel released a South Asian Barbie who was modelled after Deepica Mutyala, the founder and CEO of makeup brand Live Tinted.

Click here to read the full article on Daily O.

Kim Kardashian’s Skims casts singer Rosalía in new summer campaign – shop here

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Singer-songwriter Rosalía has been cast in Skims' first bilingual campaign. COURTESY PHOTO

By Melisha Kaur, Mirror

Spanish singer Rosalía has just been unveiled as the face of the latest campaign for SKIMS.

The billion-dollar brand, founded by Kim Kardashian, recently revealed its first ever bilingual campaign where content will be distributed in both Spanish and English.

The new campaign sees Rosalía donning pieces from the best-selling SKIMS cotton range, including the £36 Plunge Bralette, in a 15-second clip.

In a press release, brand owner Kim Kardashian said: “Rosalía’s willingness to push the boundaries and experiment with her music and personal style has been a huge inspiration for me. This campaign is all about the energy and confidence that she brings to the world.

“I’m especially excited that she’s wearing pieces from our best-selling Cotton Collection – they’re classic, cool and breathable everyday essentials that everyone feels good in.”

Rosalía added: “I love SKIMS. They are so comfy and make me feel very sexy at the same time. I’m so excited that I finally got the chance to collaborate, especially in their Cotton Collection which is my fave.”

This is the first ever fashion campaign for Rosalía, who released her third studio album Motomami back in March.

The new launch was shared by Kim Kardashian on social media, sending fans into a frenzy.

The series of stunning photos sees Rosalía wearing a black plunge bralette (£36) and matching cotton rib boxers (£32).

She’s also seen wearing a white cotton jersey T-shirt, £48, and a matching rib thong that costs £20.

The Grammy-winning singer also shared the launch to her 20.3 million Instagram followers.

“Damnnnnnn,” Kardashian commented, adding a trio of fire emojis.

The campaign comes after SKIMS dropped its new ‘Boyfriend’ collection, which saw the comeback of the brand’s signature unisex styles.

Click here to read the full article on Mirror.

Naomi Osaka Launches Evolve Sports Agency, Leaves IMG After 6 Years: ‘Natural Next Step’

BusinessSports

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka hugging after a tennis match

By BreAnna Bell, People

Naomi Osaka is making moves on and off the court!

The tennis star, 24, is cutting ties with IMG after six years and is starting her own sports agency, Evolve, with the help of her agent, Stuart Duguid. Sportico was the first to report the news.

“I’ve spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn’t what was expected or traditional, Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman,” Osaka told the outlet via NPR.

Evolve isn’t the first venture for the Olympic athlete.

Osaka launched her skincare line, KINLÒ, in 2021, and introduced her Play Academy program in 2020, which aims to empower girls and young women through sports.

“We believe that all kids — especially girls — deserve a chance to play, no matter where they come from or what they look like,” Osaka previously told PEOPLE in 2021. “The more we provide girls with opportunities to get active, the more opportunities we are giving them to become leaders in their communities.”

“For me, building Play Academy was not just about impacting others and encouraging young girls in sports; it is about raising awareness, and so creating a website shines a light on the work we do,” Osaka recently told PEOPLE of launching Play Academy’s new website.

Not only is Osaka one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, but she’s also outspoken and applauded mental health advocate.

In an interview with SELF for their May issue in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the four-time Grand Slam champion got candid about her personal journey with anxiety and depression, telling the magazine that after her decision to voluntarily withdraw from the French Open last year, other athletes began sharing their stories with her.

Click here to read the full article on People.

Camila Cabello stars in Victoria’s Secret’s first bilingual campaign: ‘I am honored’

BusinessCareersEntertainmentmusic

Camila Cabello wearing a white dress on the red carpet

By Kerry Justich, Yahoo! Life

Camila Cabello is the latest to team up with Victoria’s Secret.

The 25-year-old Cuban-American singer took to Instagram on Tuesday to share footage from her latest partnership with the brand for the Bombshell fragrance. Not only is she starring in an English version of the commercial, but also one in Spanish.

“I am honored to be the newest addition to the @victoriassecret Bombshell family 💖 and to be part of the brand’s first ever bilingual campaign!” she wrote. “Bombshell is about embracing who and what you are, and celebrating that every day.”

In the commercial, Cabello goes on to describe what the word bombshell means to her, explaining that it’s all about “owning your desires, your pleasures and enjoying everything life has to offer. Those things that make you feel great and make you feel joyful. Being who you are in every way.”

She later posted other photos from the campaign, sharing how empowered she felt to be a part of it. She even showed appreciation for not having her freckles airbrushed out of the final pictures.

“i loved this shoot !” she captioned one of three posts. “It’s rare that my lil sun freckles get to have their moment.”

Friends and fans of the singer took to the comment section to praise Cabello’s beauty.

“Linda,” singer Anitta wrote, while others called Cabello “gorgeous” and wrote “You ARE a bombshell.”

Supporters also shared that they were “proud” of Cabello for representing Latin women and Spanish speaking people in the brand’s first bilingual campaign. Some even expressed that they’d be willing to support Victoria’s Secret with Cabello’s stamp of approval.

“Influence,” one wrote. Another said, “I’m gonna try this brand cuz I trust you.”

While Victoria’s Secret has had a notable history of exclusionary practices and representation with its models, the brand has recently pivoted to become more inclusive. And although Cabello isn’t partnered on a lingerie campaign, it seems that the body positive singer is the latest to help with that mission.

Click here to read the full article on Yahoo! Life.

10 Women Scientists Leading the Fight Against the Climate Crisis

BusinessCareersWomen in STEM

Rose Mutiso speaks at TEDSummit: A Community Beyond Borders. July 2019, Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo: Bret Hartman / TED | Flickr/TED Conference

By Tshiamo Mobe, Global Citizen

Climate change is an issue that affects everyone on the planet but women and girls are the ones suffering its effects the most. Why? Because women and girls have less access to quality education and later, job opportunities. These structural disadvantages keep them in poverty. In fact, women make up 70% of the world’s poor. In a nutshell, climate change impacts the poor the most and the poor are mostly women.

Poverty is driven by and made worse by climate change also makes girls more susceptible to child marriage, because it drives hunger and girls getting married often means one less mouth to feed for their parents. Climate change also leads to geopolitical instability which, in turn, results in greater instances of violence — which we know disproportionately impacts women and girls.

Ironically, saving the planet has been made to seem a “women’s job”. This phenomenon, dubbed the “eco gender gap”, sees the burden of climate responsibility placed squarely on women’s shoulders through “green” campaigns and products that are overwhelmingly marketed to women.

There are several hypotheses for why this is. Firstly, women are the more powerful consumers (they drive 70-80% of all purchasing decisions). Secondly, they are disproportionately responsible, still, for the domestic sphere. And finally, going green is seen as a women’s job because women’s personalities are supposedly more nurturing and socially responsible.

Women should be involved in fighting the climate crisis at every level — from the kitchen to the science lab to the boardroom. Ruth Bader Ginsburg explained it best when she said: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” However, women are underrepresented in the science field (including climate science), with just 30% of research positions held by women and fewer still holding senior positions. The Reuters Hot List of 1,000 scientists features just 122 women.

Click here to read the full article on Global Citizen.

GIMME Beauty Encourages Self-Care for Moms This Mother’s Day, Highlighting Top Gifts

BusinessEntertainment

By Yahoo! Finance

Mother’s Day is just around the corner on May 8, and GIMME Beauty, the innovative hair solutions company disrupting the beauty industry, is encouraging their community to celebrate mom and create moments of self-care for mothers with various lifestyles by providing an array of selections for each kind of mom.

For the mom always on the go
GIMME’s Freedom Curling Iron, Freedom Curling Wand, and Freedom Styling Iron afford a lifestyle outside of the home for the mom who is always on the go. The Freedom collection of revolutionary hair tools leverages the combination of cord and battery power for on-the-go styling — ideal for busy moms everywhere. GIMME’s Freedom set empowers customers to comfortably and safely style hair wherever they are with evenly distributed temperature ranges from 200℉ to 400℉ and long-lasting battery life.

For the mom who does not have enough hours in the day
Time is always of the essence for moms, and there isn’t always time to style hair to its full potential — sometimes moms need to tie their hair up in a messy bun without worrying about damaging their lovely tresses. Moms can choose one of five GIMME Hair Bands, available in Thick, Fine, Extra Fine, Any, and Long and Curly sizes. The company’s hair bands are designed to wrangle in even the most finicky of hair types for ultimate comfort, style, and hold. Lastly, shoppers can select between GIMME’s Scrunchies for a fashionable comfy grip, with choices including Fleece, Midnight, Sports Grip, Platinum, Lavender, and Dusty Rose.

For the mom who needs a moment to herself
Never getting a moment to relax or needing a boost of energy, GIMME boasts a line of all-natural Dry Shampoo. Taking a moment to freshen a hairdo comes with the benefits of mood-boosting aromatherapy, whether it is soothing Lavender Calm Renewal or energizing Citrus Clarity enriched with vitamins. With an arrowroot starch base and all-natural ingredients, GIMME encourages self-care with a spritz of renewal that fits a busy lifestyle.

For the health-conscious mom
A daily regimen and routine keep life going. Nourishing one’s body with the right ingredients supports health and wellness needs. GIMME Drops hair gummies are developed to provide a unique blend of vitamins & minerals to support strong, healthy hair, featuring biotin, argan oil, and several essential vitamins to support the body’s natural processes for maintaining healthy hair.

“Moms are such an important pillar in our community, and we want to ensure we are taking this day to recognize everything they do for us and our families. By taking a moment to recognize mothers and providing personalized options that fit their daily health, wellness, and beauty needs, we can support them to continue to be their incredible selves and feel empowered to take on their day with these hair care solutions,” says Jeff Durham, President and CEO of GIMME Beauty.

This Mother’s Day, GIMME is also providing access to an exclusive Mother’s Day bundle sale. Shoppers can enjoy more than 45% off when they bundle top GIMME hair products and create the perfect gift just for Mom to arrive after Mother’s Day. Shoppers can choose one wireless tool, one hairband, and one scrunchie to complete their bundle along with a free gift, the five-star rated detangling brush for thick, medium, and fine hair types.

Click here to read the full article on Yahoo! Finance.

LA Latina Business Owner Combines Love for Culture and Pink

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Yesenia Castro, 25, owns a small business in the Fashion District of Los Angeles. Serving pink tacos, Castro blends her love of fashion, culture and food.

By Génesis Miranda Miramontes, NBC

Taco stands in downtown Los Angeles can be found on pretty much every street, but how often do you come across a pink taco truck, and with pink handmade tortillas?

With a goal to empower and inspire others, a Latina business owner found a way to combine her love for fashion, her culture, food and the color pink.

Pink and Boujee in the Los Angeles Fashion District is definitely one of a kind, bringing together the culture and food of Los Angeles.

Owner and founder Yesenia Castro is behind this unique, “not your average taqueria.”

Oh and that’s not food dye in those gluten free corn tortillas, Castro says the pink color comes from dragonfruit and beets, along with premium quality meats, to make that perfect LA style taco.

You can smell the delicious scent of authentic Mexican tacos as you approach the pink truck.

Latino owned and operated, Pink and Boujee is a family run business, giving customers a comforting sense of community along with their order of pink tacos and aguas frescas.

Castro says it all started with pop up events and farmers markets in 2019, but she officially launched her business with the pink truck in August of 2021.

Castro counts on the support of her family, as well as friends like Maria Viera, who manages their social media content.

Viera, a Latina foodie blogger in the LA area, first posted a video of Pink and Boujee on March 31 which has now garnered over 10.7 million views.

“Partnering up with Yesenia has been truly a blessing,” Viera said. “It’s fate that we just happened to collide and now here we are.”

The pair met just three weeks ago and are already not just partners in business but close friends as well.

“In the end I’m just really grateful,” Viera said. “She’s inspiring, she’s like my role model”

Castro says about 90% of her clientele come to her from TikTok.

The pink taco truck located on 948 Crocker St. definitely stands out.

The pink truck, pink tortillas, pink tables and pink boxes where your food is neatly packed all make for such a great photo op.

“I’m a girly girl at heart and I love good vibes, good food, and to dress cute,” Castro said. “I wanted to a create a place where you can feel all that”

Raised in the Boyle Heights area, Castro came to the U.S. from Mexico when she was just nine months old.

“Being a DACA business owner is extremely tough but not impossible. I think we are called dreamers for a reason and I’m here to show your dreams are impossible despite the circumstances,” Castro said.

She says she wants to empower and inspire others, especially young Latinas who would one day want to do what they see her doing.

“I’m sharing behind the scenes of what it’s like starting from the bottom and my personal journey. I am someone another young girl can relate to,” Castro said. “Representation matters to me and that is what I think makes my business so special.”

In the future, Castro says she thinks about getting a bigger food truck or finding an investor and opening up a restaurant.

But she says for now she wants to live in the moment and focus on what she’s doing now.

“It takes a team to be able to push a business forward,” Castro said. “I definitely think that when Latinas come together, women in general, there’s so much that could be done.”

Click here to read the full article on NBC.

Makeup Brand Finds Success By Targeting Afro-Latina And Multicultural Market

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By Geri Stengel, Forbes

During the early days of the pandemic, the social unrest focused attention on Afro-Latina and multicultural brands. Their communities supported them by buying their products. Corporations beefed up their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives which included providing training to diverse women entrepreneurs and selling their products.

Two sisters, Mabel and Shaira Frías, founded and launched their makeup brand, Luna Magic, in 2019. They benefit from their community purchasing their product and big-box retailers who want to reach this market. The sisters were part of Target’s accelerator program, and Luna Magic makeup is sold nationally by Target and Walmart. They appeared on Shark Tank, though ultimately, they didn’t take the deal.

Cosmetic companies have long ignored the Afro-Latina and multicultural market’s taste preferences and price points. The Frías sisters saw this as an opportunity. Their parents are Dominican immigrants and they grew up speaking Spanish at home and English in school.

“Beauty is a deeply cultural experience,” said Mabel. “There are a lot of rituals around putting on makeup. “Our culture is everything that has to do with vibrancy, bold colors, and being unapologetic in our color choices,” said Shaira.

The sister cofounders are proud to be Dominican Americans pursuing the American Dream through entrepreneurship. The brand reflects and celebrates the culture and energy of the Caribbean and Latin America along with the hustle and bustle of New York City—where the sisters were from—with a dash of glamor from L.A.—where they now live. Shaira explained that “it’s about the three Bs:

Bueno—it has to be good [quality].
Bonito— it has to look good.
Barato—it has to be value priced.”

She creates affordable, gorgeous, luxurious products that look good on diverse skin tones.

The company launched in 2019. The pandemic could have caused the collapse of the company. Instead, it accelerated the company’s growth and not just because of corporate DEI initiatives. Buying makeup is an inexpensive way to treat yourself during hard times. Mabel understood how to reach the market through social media, especially Instagram and TikTok videos. However, it is Shaira who loves celebrating everything, from National Lipstick Day to Saint Patrick’s Day, and dresses for the occasion.

The pandemic caused lots of headaches for the sisters. Shaira is in charge of product development and the supply chain. A journalist by training, she used her investigative skills to source ingredients and packaging worldwide. It was a balancing act getting shipments to arrive when needed. There were setbacks. Mabel is in charge of business development and has found that when setbacks happen, over-communicating is critical.

Building a brand and a company culture during turmoil and remote work was difficult. Having conversations around working from home and employees feeling safe to come to work were critical, said Mabel. “In a small company, every employee matters and is a key team member. I had to put myself in their shoes and show empathy and grace. I also had to provide a lot more structure and talk about the company’s vision.”

Click here to read the full article on Forbes.

Should You Get a Women Owned Business Certification

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female business owner looking at a laptop in her warehouse

By Annie Pilon, Small Business Trends

Female business owners have traditionally faced unique challenges when seeking funding and government contracts. To balance those disadvantages, there are now certain programs and contracting dollars that are reserved just for women-owned businesses. However, owning a business as a woman isn’t enough; there are specific certification requirements companies must meet to be eligible.

What is a Women-Owned Business Certification?

A women-owned small businesses certification is an official designation through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Companies that achieve this certification process are eligible for programs and contracts set aside for women-owned small businesses.

Types of Certification for Women-Owned Businesses

There are two main types of women-owned small business certifications through the SBA: Women-owned small businesses and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses. Here’s a guide to each.

Women-owned small businesses: This is the basic women-owned certification through the SBA. Companies must be at least 51 percent owned and run by women to qualify for this designation.
Economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses: This designation goes a step further. In addition to being owned and run by women, EDWOSBs must also have an 8(a) certification, which specified businesses that are owned by economically disadvantaged individuals. These businesses may qualify for contracts that are set aside both for women and economically disadvantaged businesses.

Woman-Owned Small Business Benefits

Wondering why you may want to designate your company as a women-owned small business? Here are some benefits to consider:

Qualify for more government contracts: Certain government agencies are required to earmark a certain amount of their contracts to women business owners and those who have faced an economic disadvantage. Decision-makers can filter through contractors to find these providers for various products and services. So getting a certification may increase visibility and open your company up to more opportunities.
Grow your customer base: Many large corporations also have diversity goals, which include supporting women entrepreneurs. So you may receive contracting or sales opportunities from more than just the federal government.
Network with other female business owners: There are plenty of networking events and opportunities specifically for women-owned businesses. So a certification may help you find and make the most of these contacts.
Access educational resources: The SBA and third-party organizations also provide guides and educational resources for women-owned businesses. You may find valuable information about seeking financing, marketing, or expanding your operations. The Amazon SBA Program is such a resource.
Find business mentors: You may also benefit from learning from other women who have been in similar situations. WOSB or EDWOSB certification can help you find and reach out to potential mentors.

Female Owned Business Certification Requirements

To qualify for the benefits listed above, you must meet the following criteria.

Be a small business: The SBA has specific size standards that apply to a variety of contracting and incentive programs. The definition varies by industry, but most are required to have less than 1,500 employees.
Be at least 51% owned: Women must own and control at least half of the company. They must also be U.S. citizens.
Have women in management roles: The female business owner(s) or managers must also be responsible for day-to-day operations and making long-term business decisions.

How to Get an SBA Women-owned Business Certification

If you’re interested in getting a women-owned business certification, you’ll first need to apply through the SBA or an affiliated group. Here’s a basic look at the certification process:

Check eligibility: WOSB must have proof that the business is at least 51 percent owned by a woman or women who are U.S. citizens. And EDWOSBs must also prove an economic disadvantage. The SBA offers an online Q&A tool to determine eligibility before you start the application process.
Gather essential documents: You’ll need business and personal documents to prove you meet the eligibility requirements. These may include proof of U.S. citizenship, business trust agreements, articles of incorporation, partnership agreements, and stock ledgers.
Apply online: The SBA offers an online application tool that asks questions and allows you to upload relevant documents.
Connect with a third-party certification provider: Alternatively, there are four outside organizations approved by the SBA to perform third-party certifications. Each has its own processes and associated costs. So contact them directly to learn about applying. The four organizations are the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Women Business Owners Corporation, U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

How Much Does a Certification Cost for Women-owned Small Businesses?

The SBA certification process for a women-owned small business is free. However, third-party certification may come with costs. These groups help you through the certification process, so you’re essentially paying for their services. Certification is often free for members of those groups but may cost a few hundred for non-members.

Click here to read the full article on Small Business Trends.