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- One of the largest
takeaways from the year 2020

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on a global scale was
that Black Lives Matter.

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- Black Lives Matter, Black
Matter, Black Lives Matter!

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No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA!

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And what our lives look like also matters.

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So here at the Glow Up we
are honoring and recognizing

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those among us from the
worlds of beauty, fashion,

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hair, image and influence
who are upping their game

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and elevating Blackness in the process.

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Meet 5 of this year's the
Glow Up 50 honorees who are

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doing the work and ensuring
that Black lives not

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only matter, but that they
thrive, excel and much much more.

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Last June Brother Vellies, founder

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and creative director, Aurora
James, challenged American

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retailers to reflect the
country's demographics

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by dedicating 15% of their shelf space

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to Black entrepreneurs and vendors.

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And thanks to her 15% pledge initiative

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many rose to the occasion.

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- In the wake of all of these
incredibly senseless murders

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of Black people across
this country, I really

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wanted to take accountability
to another level.

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And I really wanted to address some

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of the economic inequalities
that were happening.

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- Along with a career board
on the 15% pledge site,

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Aurora's work goes to
show that when it comes

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to advocating for Black folks,
it's all of our business;

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Our Black businesses, that is.

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Last summer, Uoma Beauty
founder, Sharon Chuter

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became the public face

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of challenging racial injustice in beauty.

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When she urged companies
to pull up for change

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meaning she wanted the receipts from quote

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"All brands that have released a statement

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of support for Black lives
matter to publicly release

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within the next 72 hours

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the number of Black employees they have

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at their organizations
at the corporate and

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executive level" unquote,

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proving that if you're
going to talk the talk

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you better also walk the walk.

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Costume designer and wardrobe
creator, Zerina Akers,

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is all about Black Owned Everything.

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Aker's launched the now
viral Instagram page

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and e-commerce website
during the pandemic and

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is continuing to promote
visibility, support, admiration

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and validation to brands that

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arguably deserve them the most.

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After a year that saw serious
racial reckonings happen

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across various industries,
Sandrine Charles, along

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with former editor in
chief of Teen Vogue and

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fellow TGU 50 honoree, Lindsay
Peoples Wagner, formed the

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Black in Fashion Council in 2020

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Their goal? To represent and

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secure the advancement
of Black individuals

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in the fashion and beauty industries

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and envision a world in which Black people

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in fashion and beauty spaces
can be open and honest

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guaranteed equal rights and
be celebrated for our voices.

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Now we can get with that.