Latest news with #Blacktivity
Forbes
09-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Beyond The Blowout: How Veteran Hairstylists Are Elevating Professionalism For Younger Generations
When Elgin Charles talks about the future of hairstyling, his voice carries the weight of four decades behind the chair — and the vision to ensure the craft thrives long after he's put down his shears. Known as the 'King of Hair' and one of the few Black salon owners in Beverly Hills, Charles has styled icons from Gabrielle Union and Serena Williams to Diahann Carroll and built a multimillion-dollar career rooted in both artistry and business acumen. Now, with his new reality competition series Hair Camp — premiering next year on the Black-owned streaming platform Blacktivity — Charles is taking his mentorship mission to the screen. Contestants will vie for a $25,000 grant and licensing rights to one of his salons, with challenges designed to test not only technical skills but also the entrepreneurial know-how essential for long-term success. 'You can be a jack of all trades, but you have to master one,' Charles says. 'And you need the business skills — the LLC, the trademark, the customer service — to match. Longevity in this industry is about more than hair. It's about people, professionalism, and persistence.' His emphasis on fundamentals comes at a pivotal timem, especially for young Black stylists. Disgruntled customers have taken to social media to share their unpleasant beauty service experiences online. The top frustrations? Last-minute cancellations, lack of time management, and inconsistent quality. From Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurial LeadershipDezi Santiago understands those concerns intimately. Raised in Detroit and trained through rigorous apprenticeships, she transitioned from stylist to entrepreneur after spotting gaps in the systems and service standards at salons where she worked. In 2010, Santiago launched her own space with a client-first philosophy: streamlined scheduling, strict professional hours, and full-service appointments that always begin with a shampoo and condition — a practice she notes is shockingly rare in today's market. Her beauty brand, Biomni, grew out of a need for high-performing, non-toxic products suitable for diverse textures, and now includes a cult-favorite hair mask, shampoo, and leave-in conditioner. 'This is not a hustle — it's corporate,' Santiago says. 'Your clients are paying for your lifestyle. Respect their time, respect their hair, and set up your business right from the start.' Beyond the Brush: Building Business Savvy While Charles and Santiago focus on bridging artistry with entrepreneurship, Tamara Taylor approaches the challenge from another angle: management and infrastructure. As founder of Mastermind Mgmt, a talent management firm for hair, makeup, and wardrobe artists, she saw firsthand how many creatives excel at their craft but falter in areas like entity formation, tax compliance, and contract negotiation. Her nonprofit initiative, Mastermind Matters, offers workshops on foundational business practices — from protecting intellectual property to tracking expenses and building credit. 'People talk about making money, but not about maintaining it,' Taylor says. 'I've seen multi–six-figure earners unable to work high-profile jobs because their paperwork wasn't in order. My goal is to make sure artists are set up for the opportunities they deserve.' A Shared Mission Across their different paths, all three leaders share a belief that the next generation of Millennial and Gen Z stylists must reclaim a culture of excellence — one that marries skill, professionalism, and smart business practices. As Charles puts it, 'It's time to pass it on.'
Associated Press
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Blacktivity Greenlights Elgin Charles Hair Camp a Bold New Reality Series Starring the Legendary Stylist
The nonprofit, equity-first streaming platform partners with the 'Emperor of Hair' for a high-stakes competition series aimed at inspiring the next generation of Black beauty moguls. BALTIMORE, MD / ACCESS Newswire / August 5, 2025 / Blacktivity, the first Black-owned, nonprofit streaming platform built to center Black and BIPOC creatives, is set to make its official debut in unscripted television with the launch of Elgin Charles' Hair Camp, an inspirational new reality competition series starring the celebrated stylist and cultural icon. Best known as the 'Emperor of Hair,' Elgin Charles is a globally recognized beauty mogul, best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and the first Black proprietor of a salon in Beverly Hills. He returns to television more than a decade after his hit VH1 docuseries Beverly Hills Fabulous with a fresh mission: to find and mentor the next breakout star in beauty. In Elgin Charles' Hair Camp, contestants will undergo rigorous challenges testing their styling skills, business acumen, and community impact as they compete for the ultimate prize: a $25k grant towards opening/renovating their very own salon, ongoing mentorship from Elgin Charles, licensing rights-granting use of the prestigious Elgin Charles brand name and signature hair care line-and a launching pad into global hair stardom! 'This isn't just about hair. It's about legacy, excellence, and lifting up the next generation of creative leaders,' said Elgin Charles. 'I'm proud to partner with Blacktivity, a platform that truly honors our culture, our talents, and our right to build wealth on our own terms.' The show marks a major milestone for Blacktivity, which officially launches August 30, 2025. Founded by media executive Devin L. White and nonprofit strategist Ngozi T. Robinson, Blacktivity is the first streaming platform of its kind-offering free access to viewers and a nonprofit revenue-sharing model that returns up to 60% of ad revenue back to creators. Through original content, community reinvestment, creator ownership, microgrants, production funding, wellness hubs, and industry training, Blacktivity aims to rewrite the rules of the digital content economy. 'Elgin Charles embodies the Black excellence that Blacktivity was built to uplift,' said co-founder Devin L. White. 'Hair Camp is more than a show-it's a movement toward reclaiming our brilliance and our power.' Hair Camp will stream exclusively on in 2026. The series is one of several original programs set to premiere on the platform. About Blacktivity Blacktivity is the first Black-owned, creator-led nonprofit streaming platform designed to elevate the work of Black and BIPOC creatives. The platform operates on a free-to-view, ad-supported model and reinvests directly into the creative ecosystem through grants, training, and strategic resource access. Blacktivity's mission is to shift the creative economy from gatekeeping to shared ownership and cultural equity. Learn more at Media Contact Organization: Blacktivity Contact Person Name: Jasmine Browley Website: Email: [email protected] City: Baltimore State: Maryland Country: United States SOURCE: Blacktivity press release
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Rewriting The Script: How Black Millennial Streaming Executives Are Centering Ownership In Film
Devin White of Blacktivity and Chanel Nicole Scott of In The Black Network The entertainment industry has long profited from Black creativity without investing in Black creators. But a new class of millennial media executives is working to disrupt that dynamic—this time, on their own terms. Devin White, co-founder of the streaming and creative ecosystem Blacktivity, and Chanel Nicole Scott, CMO of In The Black Network, are leading the charge. From content licensing and compensation to strategic partnerships and platform design, both are reshaping the business of storytelling with equity at the center. 'Blacktivity was born from frustration—but also imagination,' said White. 'We're building a space that gives more than it takes. That means curating authentic stories, compensating our creatives fairly, and fostering a community where Black and BIPOC artists can grow—without having to pay to be in the room.' Founded in 2024, Blacktivity offers an intentional alternative to traditional streaming models. It operates as a nonprofit and gives creators a 50/50 revenue split for non-exclusive content and 60/40 for exclusive deals—figures that sharply contrast with industry norms, where creators often relinquish ownership for limited exposure. Payouts are distributed quarterly, and agreements are capped at three years to protect creator autonomy. But Blacktivity is more than just a platform. It's also an incubator, offering monthly masterclasses, networking events, and soon, micro-grants. 'We don't just distribute films—we build a community,' White emphasized. 'We know our creators. We talk to them. And we're investing our revenue right back into them.' Similarly mission-driven, In The Black Network is a hybrid AVOD/TVOD platform co-founded by entertainment veteran James DuBose and co-owned by Scott, who also serves as the brand's Chief Marketing Officer. Since its 2023 launch, the platform has secured distribution on Apple TV, Roku, Samsung, and most recently, Vizio. 'Our model is designed to empower content creators—especially Black creators—to maintain ownership,' Scott explained. 'We're not in the business of telling creators what their story should be. We want them to come with a finished product, and we help them amplify it.' The platform's approach requires creators to have skin in the game: they fund their productions independently and then enter licensing agreements with In The Black. Depending on viewership and pricing strategy, creators receive a revenue split based on performance. 'It keeps everyone accountable,' Scott said. 'If the work is strong and the audience shows up, you're compensated fairly.' That emphasis on creator control marks a major shift from legacy practices—especially for Black talent. According to McKinsey, Black professionals hold less than 6% of executive positions in film and TV, despite making up a significant share of audience viewership. Meanwhile, Nielsen reports that Black audiences consume 35% more streaming content than the general population, often shaping pop culture narratives without seeing proportional returns. For White and Scott, that gap between cultural influence and economic power is precisely what they're working to close. 'We know that Black viewership drives the culture—and the market,' said White. 'So why shouldn't we benefit from the platforms we help build?' Both platforms also prioritize storytelling that pushes beyond tropes. 'We're not here to replicate the conflict-heavy, drama-driven formulas,' Scott added. 'We're building a space where our culture is reflected with nuance—where normal Black life, joy, and complexity are just as valuable.' Still, disrupting an industry comes with challenges. Scott noted that In The Black remains investor-backed and is still on the path to profitability. 'It's a long game. But we've been intentional about bringing in people who believe in our mission—not just the margins.' For White, the nonprofit structure of Blacktivity has required a bit of convincing among potential funders. 'We've had people question why we're offering such high pay splits,' he said. 'But this is about long-term sustainability for our community. We're not here to extract—we're here to empower.' As both executives prepare for major milestones—including Blacktivity's June 14th launch event at Baltimore's CFG Arena and the first annual Blacktivity International Film Summit in Barbados this fall—they're clear on the legacy they hope to build. 'Equity, to me, is ownership,' Scott said. 'It's having the power to tell your story, your way—and reap the benefits of it.' White agrees: 'This isn't just about streaming. It's about shifting the power back to the people who create culture. And we're just getting started.'
