HBCU-led program expands Black talent in fragrance industry
Black consumers have long been key buyers in fragrance, and new efforts at Spelman College with an HBCU-focused career pipeline seek to widen access to leadership, entrepreneurship, and decision-making roles in the fragrance industry. This explainer outlines what happened, who is affected, and practical next steps for stakeholders and readers.
What changed in fragrance industry access
The fragrance market shows strong growth in both prestige and mass-market segments. Industry data cited include a reported 5.9 billion dollars in prestige fragrance sales in the first nine months of 2025 and a 17% growth in fragrance within mass-market beauty. Critics and industry observers note that while sales are rising, leadership and access to opportunities behind product development and marketing have not always reflected the diversity of buyers.
In response, Sharné Jackson, the first African American executive director of The Fragrance Foundation, created the Scents of Success program at Spelman College in 2021. The program aims to educate, represent, and open doors for Black students and professionals in fragrance-related careers.
Key facts for readers
- Black consumers are described as long-time core buyers of fragrance products.
- The industry cites multi-billion-dollar size and notable growth in prestige and mass-market segments in 2025 data.
- A career pipeline developed at an HBCU (Spelman College) seeks to increase Black representation in leadership and entrepreneurship within the fragrance sector.
- The Fragrance Foundation, led by Sharné Jackson, is involved in advocating for education, access, and representation in the field.
Who is affected
Black students and professionals in the fragrance industry could gain more education, mentorship, internships, and leadership opportunities through the Spelman program and related industry initiatives. The broader community of Black consumers may benefit from more diverse decision-makers and product perspectives in fragrance development and marketing.
Practical next steps for readers
- Students: Explore related programs at Spelman College and similar HBCU initiatives in fragrance, cosmetics, or marketing fields.
- Industry professionals: Support scholarship funds, mentorship, or internship pipelines that connect Black students with fragrance brands and retailers.
- Consumers: Seek out brands and products with transparent diversity commitments and know who leads product-curation and marketing teams.
- Policymakers and funders: Consider funding pipelines that expand access to industry leadership for underrepresented groups.
Limits and questions
The article relies on a single set of industry claims and a particular program at Spelman College. It does not provide a broad comparative analysis across all fragrance brands or regions. Readers may ask how scalable the program is, what measurable outcomes exist (e.g., internships filled, leadership roles attained), and how other institutions are participating.
Which sources did Setup in Bahrain review?
Setup in Bahrain reviewed the following source material before preparing this explanatory article.
The links remain visible so readers can inspect the evidence, compare dates and context, and confirm current requirements with the relevant authority.
- blackenterprise.com — evidence source reviewed for this article.
Information and responsibility notice: This article is general information based on the cited material available when published. It is not legal, tax, immigration, medical, financial, banking, or investment advice; it does not create a professional-client relationship; and it is not a guarantee of outcome, availability, accuracy, or eligibility. Rules, schedules, prices, and third-party information can change. Confirm material decisions with the relevant authority and an appropriately qualified adviser before acting.