Meet Sher + Jess | Inclusive Beauty Creators

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sher + Jess and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sher + Jess, how does your business help the community?
We started Melanated24K to address the lack of representation of melanated skin in the beauty industry. We are two very different complexions, and we found that it was difficult seeing how products that we both like look on our skin tones. For example, even when we see beauty brands post 3 different models with different complexions wearing a product we find that the focus is typically on the extreme and not the in between. We want to bridge that gap, and our brand is our contribution to amplifying melanated voices.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Sher: I am a Product Manager with over a decade of experience in healthcare and hospitality and multiple certifications in both product and project management. What sets me apart from others is the way that I use the skills that I have learned from the roles that I have had and apply those skills to other aspects of my life. My job as a Product Manager has taught me how to strategize with the content that I create. I typically review my plans quarterly to refocus on my goals, consider what I want to adjust on my roadmap, and reenergize myself to keep moving forward. I got to where I am professionally by relying on my faith in moments of weakness, receiving encouragement from the family and friends in my life that support me, and moving forward with doing the things that scared me. I remember when I would be studying for new certifications or for my MBA I would have moments where I would feed into my fears and question if I really have what it takes to continue.

Along the way, I have learned that life moves even when you don’t. You can choose to keep going and move with it or you can stay stagnant in a space that feels safe but also reaps no rewards. I have a couple of projects that I am passionate about. One is my podcast, The Ignorance Project, where I conduct interviews with professionals on topics that are beneficial to marginalized communities like healthcare and financial literacy. The second is the Melanated24K where I work with my best friend to celebrate the diversity of beauty. I am dedicated to creating content that is meaningful and impactful because everyone deserves to be armed with the information I want the world to know that no matter your background, we all deserve to have the tools and understanding to feel empowered.

Jess: Jess is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 9 years of experience, currently working full-time in outpatient rehab. She achieved her accomplishments through the support of her friends and family, along with her unwavering determination to succeed. She learned that the path to success is not always linear. The process of overcoming challenges along the way allowed her to grow into a resource and a source of encouragement for those pursuing similar dreams..

At work, Jess is passionate about providing education on self-advocacy to patients who may not know how to navigate the medical world.

Outside of her professional life, Jess is passionate about creativity and is excited about the potential Melanated24K has to make a lasting difference in the beauty industry. She is committed to uplifting people who often don’t see themselves represented in the beauty world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Fun question!

Sunday

Morning: Arrive in Atlanta and kickoff with brunch at cultivate food.

Evening: Enjoy a fun evening playing mini golf at Putt Shack.

Monday

Morning: Brunch at Flavor Rich.

Evening: End the day at drinks Parlor.

Tuesday

Afternoon: Check out the The Botanical Garden

Evening: End the night at Bar Vegan.

Wednesday

Morning: Go to Stone Mountain for a hile.

Evening: Photoshoot at Piedmont Park to catch the sunset and the Atlanta skyline!

Thursday

Spend the entire day at Six Flags.

Friday

Morning: Visit the Georgia Aquarium

Evening: Shopping and dinner at Atlantic Station

Saturday

Morning: Do a bike tour of the belt line.

Evening: End the trip with visiting the Hyde Museum for First Friday!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would like to dedicate our shoutout to The Lip Bar. The Lip Bar is a Black woman owned beauty brand and was the first brand to celebrate the content that we were creating and our focus on inclusivity!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanated24k/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562893951810

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melanin24k

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@melanated24k?_t=8sYTZDirsAo&_r=1

Image Credits
Brownwood Imaging