Munroe Bergdorf announced her seat on L’Oréal Paris’ new UK Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. Munroe's statement issued via both her Instagram and Twitter pages read:
'This week I spoke with L’Oréal Paris new president, Delphine Viguier, who reached out to me directly. We had an open and constructive conversation, she listened to what I had to say and expressed her regret for how the situation was handled three years ago. Shortly L’Oréal will release a statement on their plans to make a charitable donation of €25,000 to @mermaidsgender, supporting gender varient and transgender youth in the UK, and €25,000 to @ukblackpride, an annual safe space to celebrate diverse sexualities, gender identities, cultures, gender expressions and backgrounds.'
'As an activist part of my work is to encourage big businesses to understand their responsibility with regards to diversity and inclusion. It's imperative that in all industries a wide range of people from different backgrounds and experiences are in the room at all levels and in decision making roles, to reduce oversight and to create a product that is built with all people in mind.'
'So when L’Oréal offerend me a consultancy role, to sit on their UK Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board, helping to influence and inform the brand, I thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to practise what I preach and take up that seat at the table to be the representation that we deserve as a community. I believe in accountability and progress, not cancellation and grudges. While what happened 3 years ago was extremely traumatic for me personally and professionally, sitting on a board to provide a voice and a champion for black, trans and queer voices in the beauty industry is important to me.'
'It feels good to finally have closure on this matter and I look forward to new beginnings with the L’Oréal team. Thank you to everyone who has had my back this past week. I appreciate it massively, especially my friends @jameelajamilofficial and @duckiethot who have been there for me 24/7 start to finish.'
'Over the past three years I have realised my responsibility as an activist is to help unite us as people, regardless of our identity. We are all in an exciting time of change. I hope this reconciliation is proof that we can all find a way to put aside our differences and work together to push for a more progressive, fair and equal world.' - Munroe Bergdorf.
This week Munroe's announcement details donations that L’Oréal Paris intend to make to LGBTQIA+ charities as well as the formation of the beauty giant's new UK Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and her seat on it. Munroe's voice is loud and strong and no doubt responsible, in part, for signs of progress we're starting to see amongst beauty brands the world over. Her call for greater inclusion and diversity at every level of the professional hierarchy within beauty brands is one that has yet to be answered across the board, but with her at the helm of L’Oréal Paris' new effort, it seems the beauty industry is that little bit closer.
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