PCPC announces 2nd annual Madam C.J. Walker Award

Written on: November 28, 2022 by SprayTM

The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) announced its second annual Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). The Award recognizes individuals in the beauty and personal care products industry who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to DEI through strong leadership and sustained efforts with a focus on workplace culture, program and policies, or through external engagement with consumers and communities. 

Eggleston Bracey

Presented at the PCPC Leadership Summit 2022 opening reception, the selection committee awarded the distinction to Esi Eggleston Bracey—President of Unilever U.S. & CEO of Unilever Personal Care North America—in recognition of her dedication to advance DEI. Eggleston Bracey is widely recognized and admired across the industry as someone who leads with respect and brings fresh thinking to businesses. She champions high-impact, purpose-driven efforts like Dove’s founding of the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Coalition to foster beauty inclusivity and eradicate hair discrimination through the support of the CROWN Act legislation.

“This award means the world to me because the business of diversity is a team sport. Madam C.J. Walker knew that it wasn’t just about her own financial success, it was about the success she bestowed on others,” said Eggleston Bracey. “The work that we do changes the narrative around beauty. So, let’s embrace it as a team sport. Let’s make this all of our award, raise the bar high, and commit to making this world more inclusive and more equitable for all people.”

The Award honors industry pioneer Madam C.J. Walker who started her hair care business at the turn of the century, during a time when women of color had few rights and little opportunity. The Award is given each year to individuals in the cosmetics or personal care industry. Nominees are judged on areas of achievement based on predetermined criteria.