“There’s the department of motorcars and a Popeye’s—that’s it.”

Ebony J. Karim graduated from Chicago State University over a decade ago, but acknowledges not much else has modified in that span of time, namely that there aren’t many places around that sell quality haircare products. Despite the HBCU being situated in probably the most densely Black populated neighborhoods in Chicago, there’s isn’t a beauty supply store for miles.

“For those who don’t have a automotive and have been at school for hours, there’s nowhere convenient for college students to get what they should take care of their hair, even those that survive campus. They don’t need to need to get on a protracted public bus ride. It’s form of ridiculous, truthfully.”

She’s right—ethnic haircare gaps don’t make much sense, ethically and financially.

African American women spend nine times greater than other groups on haircare, per a  Nielsen report. In 2018 alone, Black US consumers allocated $54.4 million of the $63.5 million total spent on ethnic hair products.

After seeing this information, Karim jumped into motion.

“I began fascinated by how I could solve this access issue in a wise way without opening a neighborhood brick-and-mortar beauty supply store, an industry that has notoriously locked Black women out (dominated by Asian owners), and vending machines got here to mind.”

She began researching the logistics and got here up with Beauty Genie, a machine that dispenses bonnets, gels, bundles, braiding hair, shampoos, conditioners, edge control, and more for college students without risking the comfort or safety of leaving campus. Karim shared the thought together with her hair stylist, Quintella Rodgers, during a hair appointment and unknowingly gained a business partner. A licensed cosmetologist, Rodgers immediately understood the potential impact the Beauty Genie could have across underrepresented neighborhoods all over the place.

“Our girls need access to the things they should take care of their hair,” she said. “I see plenty of college students and so they after all care concerning the styling, but harsh chemicals are utilized in the method which requires proper repair and recovery.”

Rodgers and her twin sister Swanzetta, a trained geriatric counselor, immediately bought into the thought and have become Karim’s vision and immediately invested, and got here onboard. They not only provide backing, but in addition lends their expert insight into product inventory for the machines, in addition to haircare education.

“The vending machines have a video component integrated that plays demos for women and older women in nursing homes to take care of their hair the best way,” Swanzetta Rodgers said. “Everyone knows that proper hair maintenance directly impacts ourself esteem.”

Although their plan is to tackle all 107 HBCU campuses, nursing homes and beyond, the primary Beauty Genie might be installed at Chicago Premium outlet mall in Springfield, IL on July 1st. The situation makes perfect sense because it is a hotspot for teens and early college students.

“We’re so excited to be doing this because people really want it,” Karim told ESSENCE. “Everyone Should Be Able To Care For Their Crowns’ regardless of where they’re.”