OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY & CARE
THE HEART OF OUR BRAND LIVES IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE
At Design Essentials, care is more than a product benefit. It’s the value we bring to every space we enter and every relationship we build. For 35 years, we’ve blended science, culture, and compassion to create solutions that support not just healthy hair, but healthy communities. That commitment lives in how we listen, how we lead, and how we remain present in the places that matter most.
Our community work is shaped by connection. We believe real change starts with listening, learning, and honoring the needs of others with consistency and care. Every initiative is an opportunity to be of service, to deepen trust, and to help others move toward possibility with dignity and support. These stories are part of our purpose. They are the heart behind the work we do.
SPELMAN COLLEGE
Opening Doors in Science and Innovation
We’ve pledged $1 million to Spelman College to support the development of young women pursuing careers in cosmetic chemistry. Through scholarships, internship opportunities, and lab-based learning, this partnership expands access to science education in ways that are tangible and lasting. It reflects our belief in representation, rigor, and the power of knowledge to drive meaningful change.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Building Pathways for the Leaders of Tomorrow
At Howard University, our $1 million pledge supports the growth of future leaders through scholarships and programming that strengthen both academic and professional development. By investing in these students, we are helping to cultivate visionaries who will shape the future across industries, communities, and culture.
THE BASARA TRIBE IN CHAD, AFRICA
Supporting a Village With Purpose and Presence
Our relationship with the Basara Tribe in Chad reflects a deeper commitment to shared values and cultural respect. What began as a sourcing partnership has evolved into a broader collaboration focused on community wellness. We’ve worked alongside tribal leaders to support clean water access, food and supply distribution, and repairs to essential structures like the local community center. This work continues to grow through trust, dialogue, and presence.
RUNWAYS TO FREEDOM
Empowering Women to Rebuild and Rise
Runways to Freedom supports women recovering from displacement, trafficking, and trauma through fashion, training, and healing-centered care. Our partnership helps provide resources and space for transformation, reminding each woman that her story is worthy and her future is filled with possibility.
KIDS'-DOC-ON-WHEELS
Delivering Care Where It’s Needed Most
KidsDoc On Wheels brings mobile pediatric nursing care to children in underserved areas. This initiative ensures that more students receive wellness screenings and health support during the school day, where access can be difficult. It’s a model of care that meets families where they are, delivered with empathy and consistency.
WELLNESS & ADVOCACY PROGRAMS
Taking Care Into Our Own Hands
Our commitment to wellness extends beyond hair. We align with organizations that share our focus on health equity, partnering with groups like Ovacome and the African Caribbean Leukemia Trust to raise awareness around ovarian cancer, breast cancer, kidney disease, and blood disorders. Through these efforts, we aim to support early detection, increase donor awareness, and help bring critical conversations to communities that are often overlooked. Every partnership is grounded in care and shaped by purpose.