Black Beauty Rooster, Warner Bros. Discovery Set 12 for the new hair and makeup department manager training program

EXCLUSIVE: Black Beauty Roster and Warner Bros. Discovery today announced their partnership on a new, unique program that gives hairstylists and makeup artists from historically marginalized communities the opportunity to position themselves for area-specific leadership in entertainment.

The 12 selected from the US and Canada are Denise Baker (Hair/LA), Gabby Navarrete (Makeup/LA), Charles Zambrano (Makeup/NYC), Allison LaCour (Makeup/NOLA), Tiffany Daugherty (Hair/LA ), Kauilani Goodwyn (hair/LA), Amber Hamilton (hair/LA), Se’Anne Simon (makeup/NOLA), Khalieha Cunningham (hair/Canada), Krista Haan (makeup/Canada), Amber Crombach (makeup/Canada ) and Marecel Callagan (Makeup/Canada).

Launching this month, the new BBR and WBD education program will bring selected beauticians together virtually for four months, with artists undergoing extensive Black Beauty Roster training to ensure they are ready to perform upon completion of the role which by the head of department. You’ll have leading MUAH department heads from across the industry as guest speakers and trainers and will also hear from top producers who speak to what they’re looking for in hiring, providing guidance on creating CVs and portfolios, networking, understanding key language and building ‘ a team, contract negotiations, budget, crisis management and more.

Participating creatives as visiting professors include two-time Emmy-winning Hair Dept. Conductor Barry Lee Moe (Pam and Tommy), Head of Makeup Vonda K. Morris (Uncertain), Head of Makeup Department Zabrina Matiru (The Babysitters Club), Hair Manager Porshawna Mosely (All Americans), two-time Emmy-nominated makeup department. Director Angie Wells (blackish) and head of makeup department, Marietta Carter-Narcisse (Blues by a jazzman).

“We are excited about our program with Warner Bros. Discovery to create more leadership opportunities behind the camera in hair and makeup. We are focusing on diversifying not only the beauticians in the trailers, but also the executive positions – heads of the hair and makeup departments who ultimately hire the beauty teams,” said BBR founder Maude Okrah. “We will identify the participants together. to grow, develop and lead through hands-on training that will impact them and the entertainment industry for years to come. Our goal is that by the end of the program participants feel confident and well prepared to land their dream roles in TV, Film & Beyond countries and in turn inspire other creatives to do the same.”

“This meaningful content collaboration has resulted in a unique operating program aimed at expanding the network of available hair and makeup and truly demonstrating the symbiotic relationship between content, programming and our productions,” continued Yvette. Urbina serves as VP Content & Production, DEI at Warner Bros. Discovery. “With this partnership, we’ve not only expanded capabilities across the business, but we’ve seen real results, including industry awareness and connecting talent with our manufacturing to internal teams through our training webinar and direct support site to train BBR.”

“The Black Beauty Roster x Warner Bros Discovery Program is an exciting project to be a part of,” said Matiru, Cohort Instructor. “We are optimistic about helping shape the future of the film industry by developing a diverse pool of talent who we hope will be the leaders of tomorrow, the leaders we want them to be. My intention is to lead by example through encouragement, mentorship and education.”

Matiru added, “Participants will gain insight into how to successfully manage departments and meet the expectations of studios and creatives. What I am most looking forward to is positively impacting the future of the film industry by discovering and nurturing talented artists develop.”

Cohort member Cunningham concluded, “It is indeed an honor to be a part of the BBR X Warner Bros. Discovery Program. I am very excited and oh so excited to learn more about the business acumen training offered. I hope that the training I received in this cohort will enable me to make new connections as I continue to improve and share my talents and experience with like-minded people to change the gap for BIPOC department heads in the film industry. and to fill.”

BBR’s new program with WBD follows a collaboration between the organizations announced in February, with BBR providing hair and makeup staff support to WBD productions through its extensive network, as well as executive workshops on topics such as alliances and advocacy and panel discussions that is focused on diversity behind the camera.

For more information on the Black Beauty Roster D&I platform, click here.