Celebrating 30 Years of Design Essentials: A Legacy of Innovation and Community Impact

Design Essentials Celebrates 30 Years with a $1 Million Donation to HBCUs

By London Summers

In a remarkable celebration of legacy and community impact, Cornell McBride Jr., President of Design Essentials, recently marked the brand’s 30th anniversary in the hair care industry with a significant $1 million donation to Spelman College and Howard University. This generous contribution aims to bolster the schools’ Cosmetic Chemistry programs and entrepreneurship initiatives, reflecting the brand’s commitment to education and empowerment.

In an exclusive interview, McBride Jr. expressed his personal connection to this initiative, highlighting his own journey as a Howard University alumnus. “The goal at the end of the day is to be a community impact brand,” he stated. “We have an opportunity to help student journeys at an early stage.”

The donation to Spelman College is particularly noteworthy, as it supports the launch of the first Cosmetic Chemistry program at an HBCU. McBride emphasized the importance of representation in the field, noting that few African-American cosmetic chemists exist, despite the significant number of products designed for African-American consumers. “This program gives students an early introduction to cosmetic chemistry, which is incredibly valuable,” he said.

At Howard University, the focus shifts to entrepreneurship, with the donation aimed at supporting a national HBCU entrepreneurship program. McBride shared his passion for fostering young entrepreneurs, stating, “We want to give students access to real-world case studies and let them see how we operate.”

Design Essentials, founded by McBride’s father in 1973, has always been rooted in community and education. McBride Jr. has carried this legacy forward by redefining the brand’s approach to customer engagement, focusing on hair type and texture rather than ethnicity. “Two-thirds of the global population has textured hair,” he noted, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive understanding of beauty.

As the beauty industry evolves, McBride sees Design Essentials playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of textured hair care. “If we demonstrate excellence in marketing and stay committed to community impact, the landscape changes,” he said. “Consumers are becoming more informed, and their decisions are based on what their hair actually needs.”

Looking ahead, Design Essentials aims to expand its reach beyond hair care into body and skin products, all while maintaining its commitment to community impact. “What matters most is that we stay rooted in making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve,” McBride concluded.

With a legacy of innovation and a vision for the future, Design Essentials continues to empower individuals and uplift communities, ensuring that the next generation of beauty professionals is equipped to thrive.