EBONY × Mielle Celebrate HBCUs, Community & Black Excellence with a Historic October Cover

From shape-ups to blowouts, and dorm rooms to the national stage, Mielle spotlights the student hair stylists shaping tomorrow's culture

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Black excellence takes center stage this October as EBONY joins forces with beauty powerhouse Mielle to honor HBCUs and the next generation of changemakers. The culture-shaping partnership brings together EBONY—celebrating 80 years of storytelling—and Mielle, the fastest-growing Black-founded, women-led global beauty brand, for a special cover tribute to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Together, EBONY and Mielle highlight the vital role HBCUs play in shaping culture, cultivating future leaders, and fueling the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the beauty industry and beyond. As the first major publication to unapologetically center Black stories, beauty, and culture, EBONY has shaped conversations and defined representation in media for generations. Mielle's decision to partner with EBONY reflects a shared mission: to amplify Black voices, celebrate cultural legacy, and invest in the future of excellence.

EBONY's October cover, "Styling The Yard," shines a spotlight on eight HBCU student stylists and hair ambassadors whose innovation, hustle, and artistry embody Mielle's essence:

• Taylor Mills | Miss Spelman College
• Janiya Corcolis | Hampton University
• Kyla Davis | Howard University
• Jayden Sparkman | Florida A&M University
• Zaria Salter | Florida A&M University
• Ivan Walker | Morehouse College
• Chandler Ryan | North Carolina A&T University
• Wynter Clemons | Clark Atlanta University

The cover celebrates style, self-expression, and the entrepreneurial drive that thrives on HBCU campuses.

For more than a decade, Mielle has built trust by championing textured hair and partnering deeply with community. Its focus on access, education, entrepreneurship, and cultural advancement aligns seamlessly with HBCUs' role in nurturing the next generation of leaders across beauty, wellness, and culture.

"The EBONY and Mielle partnership is a special one to us as it not only celebrates the legacy of where we have come from, but it also highlights the continuing relevance of supporting our future style icons and changemakers," said Eden Bridgeman, CEO of EBONY. "EBONY looks forward to partnering with Mielle as it continues to define what it means to celebrate our culture across a myriad of hair textures, hues, and cultural perspectives. We are proud to provide the platform for this moment."

Timed to the cover, Mielle launches the MiCurl Out Homecoming Tour in October 2025 as a multi-campus, culture-first celebration that centers textured hair, builds authentic student connections, and amplifies the joy of HBCU homecoming season.

"Pouring into HBCUs and the next generation of stylists isn't just business—it's personal," said Omar Goff, President of Mielle. "As a proud Florida A&M graduate, I know how HBCUs nurture creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit. We celebrate EBONY's spotlight on dorm room stylists and honor students already leading with hustle and vision. At Mielle, we're here with products, resources, and education to help them thrive because we know the next wave of beauty innovators is already on campus."

Mielle champions the truth that hair isn't linear—it's curly, coiled, textured, and deeply cultural. More than style, hair is identity, self-expression, and power. By partnering with EBONY, Mielle amplifies this message on a historic platform, celebrating individuality while honoring the shared stories curls tell across generations.

This EBONY × Mielle collaboration is a tribute to Black legacy, a salute to creativity and entrepreneurship, and a real investment in the future of culture, community, and excellence.

MEDIA CONTACTS
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Jeana Edney | [email protected] 
Maxine Dior Taylor | [email protected] 

About EBONY
For 80 years, EBONY has stood as the defining voice of the Black American experience and remains the most influential Black-owned media company in the world. With a legacy rooted in chronicling cultural excellence and achievement, EBONY has expanded into a global multi-media brand—spanning EBONY, EBONY Studios, and JET—with an unshakable mission to Move Black Forward.

As EBONY celebrates its 80th Anniversary, it continues to illuminate the Black perspective, celebrate Black innovation, and serve as the ultimate curator of culture—past, present, and future. EBONY Media Group is a division of 1145 Holdings, LLC. Follow on social: @EBONYMagazine on Instagram and @EBONY on X and Facebook.

About Mielle
Founded in 2014 by CEO Monique Rodriguez, Mielle is the fastest growing Black-founded and women-led global beauty brand. With a heavy emphasis on incorporating healthier ingredients and a "root to results" approach, Mielle's collection of beauty products is designed for all hair types. Today, Mielle is a global and viral sensation, with orders in over 90 countries around the world. Their products can be found in more than 100,000 stores across the U.S. in retailers such as CVS, HEB, Rite Aid, Sally Beauty, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, and Walmart.

SOURCE EBONY Media Group