The Black Beauty Justice Project

Love Letters to Our Bodies

Episode 8: Show Notes
Could the beauty products you're using be silently harming your health? In this powerful episode of the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Astrid Williams, Director of Programs and Initiatives for the California Black Health Network, to reveal a disturbing truth: many of the beauty products marketed to Black women contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other serious health issues. Join us as Dr. Williams dives into the heart of the Conscious Black Beauty Movement (CBBM), which is fighting to protect our communities from these dangers while challenging the harmful Eurocentric beauty standards that pressure women to conform. From exposing startling truths, like the fact that the $7.5 billion Black beauty industry often promotes carcinogenic products, to sharing practical ways to choose safer products and support legislative efforts that are pushing for better regulation, this episode is an urgent wake-up call. If you want to reclaim your health, embrace your natural beauty, and take a stand against toxic beauty norms that don't serve you, be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Dr. Astrid Williams and the California Black Health Network.

• Harmful toxins in Black beauty products that contribute to breast and uterine cancer.

• How the CBBM advocates for access to clean, safe, and affordable beauty products.

• Legal protections like the Crown Act that safeguard natural hairstyles at work and school.

• The importance of rethinking (and reclaiming) our relationship with beauty.

• Eurocentric beauty standards that often pressure Black women into using toxic products.

• Why education and awareness are critical in the under-regulated beauty industry.

• Vote with your dollars: the buying power we have in the $7.5 billion Black beauty industry.

• Legislative initiative pushing for regulations to ensure safer Black beauty products.

• The scope of the CBBM and how the campaign is being received by communities of color.

• Practical tips and tools to help you choose safer beauty and fashion products.

• How to join the Conscious Black Beauty Movement and make meaningful change!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Astrid Williams on LinkedIn

California Black Health Network

California Black Health Network on Instagram

California Black Health Network on Facebook

California Black Health Network on X

Conscious Black Beauty Movement (CBBM)

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP)

Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Living App

Think Dirty App

Clearya App

Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
instagram.com/moyoinstitute