Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence
Overview
Madam C.J. Walker started her hair care business in the early 1900s to address an unmet need among women in her community. As an activist and entrepreneur, she was relentless in her pursuit in making women feel confident and creating economic opportunity for all.
Inspired by Walker’s remarkable legacy of entrepreneurship and her vision of economic opportunity for all, PCPC created the Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in 2021.
The award recognizes individuals in the beauty and personal care products industry who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to entrepreneurship and inclusivity by advancing positive change, exhibiting strong leadership, and sustained engagement with consumers and communities. Awardees are individuals who lead by example and serve as a catalyst for change within the industry.
Nomination Form
Submissions for the 2025 award nominations are closed as of January 12, 2026.
Recipients of the award will be recognized during a ceremony by Madam Walker’s great-great granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles at PCPC’s 2026 Beauty Collective Summit.
Please direct questions to [email protected].
2026 Nomination Form: Madam C.J. Walker Award
2025 Recipients
Vera Moore
Small Business Category
Founder & CEO, Vera Moore Cosmetics
A pioneering beauty entrepreneur, Vera Moore built her company from the ground up, breaking retail barriers and championing equity, diversity, and inclusion while mentoring entrepreneurs and expanding access for minority-owned businesses.
Robert Cradle
Small Business Category
Managing Director, Rob’s Barbershop Community Foundation
A master barber and community leader, Robert Cradle has dedicated his career to education, advocacy, and service—creating apprenticeship programs, supporting the CROWN Act, and providing free grooming services to underserved communities.
Erica Roberson
Corporate Category
Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, L’Oréal Groupe – Professional Products Division
A transformative DEI leader, Erica Roberson launched the Texture of Change initiative and helped drive legislation requiring textured-hair education in beauty schools, impacting students across nine states nationwide.
Past Recipients
2024 Winner:
Heela Yang, Co-Founder and CEO of Sol de Janeiro
2023 Winners:
Monique Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Mielle Organics
Michelle Wang Goodridge, U.S. President of Brand Growth of Kenvue
2022 Winner:
Esi Eggleston Bracey, President of Unilever U.S. & CEO of Unilever Personal Care North America
2021 Winner:
Latriece Watkins, EVP, Walmart
