THE WHAT? Sephora North America has announced the names of eight BIPOC brand founders who have been selected to join its 2024 Accelerate program. The cohort spans the hair care, make-up, skin care and fragrance categories.

THE DETAILS The program features a 360-degree, six-month curriculum with mentorship, merchandising support, grants, and investor connections for all participants, with the opportunity to launch at Sephora North America upon completion.

Among the 2024 Sephora Accelerate Cohort are Hannah Dop, Co-founder of textured hair care brand Sienna Naturals, Katini Yamaoka of Katini Skin, Teri Johnson from the Harlem Perfume Co and Diipa Buller-Khosla, the brains behind Ayurvedic brand inde wild.

THE WHY? Kristin Odegaard, Senior Director, Merchandising Strategy and Business Development at Sephora, comments, “This year, we received more than 800 applications – a record-setting number of applications in Accelerate program history – which we believe is a testament to the unique and differentiated curriculum we’re able to offer, plus the strength of our community. Accelerate continues to serve as a vehicle for discovering, cultivating, and even launching these amazing brands that represent so many of our clients and the world today, while providing meaningful support for growing brands to continue to succeed well beyond the program’s completion.”