Black History Month: Celebrating 3 Women Making an Impact in our Industry

Black History Month is a time to reflect on and learn about the past, while also platforming and amplifying Black voices in the present. 

In the beauty and wellness industry, Black women are the pioneers of so much innovation and artistry. That’s why this Black History Month, we want to spotlight three incredible women within the world of personal care whose dedication and talent are making a lasting impact: a skilled manicurist, a health and wellness coach helping others feel their best, and a makeup artist empowering people through creativity.

Their work isn’t just about trends or techniques—it’s about fostering confidence, well-being, and community. Representation in beauty and wellness matters, not just in February but all year long. 

By sharing more about these women and their work, we hope to highlight the importance of their contributions and the need for continued recognition and support for Black women in this industry.

Also, keep an eye out at the bottom of this article, where we’ll share some fantastic resources for those who want to delve into and learn more about Black history.

Ingrid Herbert, Founder of Wellness to Go

Ingrid Herbert helps people take control of their health to get healthy, live a healthier lifestyle, and manage stress. In today’s fast-paced environment, mental well-being, cultural appreciation, and team synergy have become more important than ever.

We love Ingrid’s commitment to wellness and are inspired by the genuine care and compassion with which she approaches all of her work. We also love how her idea of wellness encompasses so many different categories, including mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness.

 

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A post shared by Speaker, Coach Health & Happiness (@wellnesstogo)

 

Ingrid offers a unique Health & Wellness online program for individuals and businesses, called the Wellness Warrior, tailored towards mental and physical well-being, relieving stress, building confidence, and strengthening interpersonal connections.

Ingrid is also a Holistic Skin Coach and we’ve loved sharing some of her insights on our blog over the years. Here’s one of our fave articles featuring Ingrid, and another one for good measure!

Visit Ingrid’s site here and learn more about her Wellness Warrior programs here.

Danessa Myricks Beauty

Danessa Myricks Beauty has some makeup products a few people on our team have been loving. Founded by self-trained makeup artist Danessa Myricks, her line of makeup and beauty products was created to empower people to express themselves creatively and confidently. 

We love that she’s self-taught, which inspired her to teach others the skills they need to express themselves through makeup!

The brand is known for their “yummy skin” line of complexion products, and they are so well-loved even celebrities are wearing them! In fact, Cardi B just wore a full face of Danessa Myricks Beauty to the Grammys. Check out the full look:

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A post shared by Danessa Myricks (@danessa_myricks)

 

We love that not only do these makeup products work amazingly on the skin, but they’re also from a company that believes in creative expression and educating their customers. They have tutorials and advice from expert MUAs on their site to help people get inventive with their makeup.

Visit Danessa Myricks Beauty here.

Nella Ngoyi, Toronto-Based Luxury Manicurist

Nella is a skilled manicurist who is dedicated to helping her clients achieve their dream nails. Nella combines her artistry with a specialization in healthy nail growth, and only uses polishes, treatments, and products that protect the integrity and health of your nails. No damaging services here!

Nella shares with us, “Education is at the heart of everything I do. When I moved from Belgium to Toronto about 8 years ago, I quickly realized I was never truly happy with my nails. Nail appointments here are often rushed, and many salons overfile, leading to damaged, weakened nails.

Now that I have the knowledge, I feel a responsibility to educate my clients, other women, and the nail community. I don't gatekeep! A proper manicure isn’t just about aesthetics...it’s about safety and long-term nail health.”

We admire Nella’s commitment and personalized approach to nail health, and it’s clear you can have gorgeous nails without damaging them. Her gorgeous client photos are proof!

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A post shared by I’m Nella 👋🏾 | Luxury Manicure | Bio Gel Nails | Toronto Nails (@nella_k_nails)

 

“At the end of the day, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a client’s big smile, getting a warm hug or hearing: ‘Nella, now you can't leave Canada because I won't go anywhere else to get my nails done’, after their manicure. It’s a reminder that I’m making a positive impact, helping women feel confident and elegant.”

You can find Nella on Instagram at @nella_k_nails or visit her site here.

Black History Month Resources

Understanding the history and contributions of Black communities is essential to fostering a more inclusive and informed world. Here are some valuable resources to explore, offering insights into the cultural, social, and historical impact of Black trailblazers past and present.

28 Days of Black History

This newsletter sends an article to your inbox every day in February, each one focusing on a different figure from Black history. This is an incredible resource because Anti-Racism Daily, the publishers of this newsletter, make the effort to platform and prioritize the stories of women, as well as queer and disabled people, whose stories are too often forgotten or pushed to the side.

Catch up on their 2025 series of articles on the theme of “African Americans and Labor” here.

A Different Booklist

A Different Booklist is an indie bookstore located in Toronto, but you can order titles online as well. They’re African-Canadian owned and specialize in books from authors and storytellers who are African, Caribbean, or from the Global South. They have an incredible selection of books that cover so many important aspects of Black history.

Shop their titles here.

Government of Canada: Noteworthy Figures

For more information on Candian Black history in particular, the Canadian government’s site has a great page highlighting important people who have “helped shape Canadian heritage and identity, and who have made and continue to make enormous contributions to the wellbeing, and prosperity of our country.”

Check it out here.

Happy Black History Month

February is a time to celebrate Black voices, though it’s something we should do all year round.

We’re wishing everyone a happy Black History Month!