Black to the Lab: Inspiring Black Girls in Cosmetic Chemistry

Recent years have produced a spike in minority-owned businesses, specifically Black-owned businesses. As has been widely reported, Black entrepreneurship fueled business creation during the pandemic, led by Black women.One of those entrepreneurs is Kristen Wells-Collins, founder and lead creative chemist of Black to the Lab, a STEM-based company launched in 2020 with a unique mission: namely, to inspire Black girls to pursue the field of cosmetic chemistry by bridging beauty and science. Black to the Lab Cosmetic Activity Set (from blacktothelab.com)
That first creation was the Cosmetic Chemistry Activity Set. This starter science kit allows Black girls as young as six to start creating their own beauty products while learning about an industry that is heavily marketed toward them.
Wells-Collins cites the lack of representation in the cosmetic industry as the inspiration behind the brand. Despite gains made to diversify the industry, as of 2021 only 4.4% of chemists in the United States were Black.“I wanted to create something that gave young girls an early introduction in a way that they could learn by playing. But also see themselves represented in toys and in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in a culturally relevant way…” When asked about what sparked her inspiration in the field, the Prairie View A&M University alum candidly admitted that she didn’t even know the field existed when she entered college. However, it didn’t take long to find her spiritual connection with Madame CJ Walker, who she fondly refers to as “the OG of cosmetic chemistry.” Fast forward to the present, where, along with expanding her products line, Wells-Collins also offers kid-friendly curricula in her Black to the Lab workshops. “Not only do the girls get a chance to create their products, but they also get a chance to learn about branding and marketing those products.” 
Asked about the challenges of running such a unique company, Wells-Collins admits the need to balance out the creative and scientific elements of her passion. While she wants to expand her curricula and product line even further, she is not immune to the fact that running her business takes capital. Then there are the additional challenges faced when potential investors are informed that her products are specifically designed for Black girls. However, Lewis does make it a point to say that she will work with anyone who loves and celebrates Black girls like her company does.So what is next for Black to the Lab?Kristen Wells-Collins (via Instagram)“We want to introduce Black girls to technology that allows them to test out color theory via textures and text, test out bottles and other receptacles, to teach the basics of packaging design. My vision is to allow them to submit their ideas to real shows, so that their work and creativity can be recognized by the industry. I think it would be a wonderful way to inspire their creativity while pursuing yet another entrepreneurial aspect of the cosmetic chemistry industry.”
To learn more about the products and workshops offered by Black to the Lab, visit their website.

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