Gabrielle Union Partners With IPSY For Black History Month

Gabrielle Union is launching a Black History Month campaign with beauty subscription service IPSY, emphasizing that celebrating Black joy is as vital as honoring historical struggles. Within the collaboration, she curated IPSY’s February Icon Box, which will be sent to subscribers and features selections made by Union herself. 

Union will also narrate IPSY’s “Black Joy Is Beautiful” campaign in correlation with the box subscription. Through this partnership, she aims to spotlight the vibrancy of Black self-expression and amplify their voices as a way to celebrate the dedicated month.

As a veteran advocate for inclusion, Union’s influence spans across multiple other industries. She founded Flawless by Gabrielle Union for textured hair, co-created Proudly, a haircare and skincare brand for children with melanated skin, and authored New York Times bestsellers such as “We’re Going To Need More Wine,” which addresses Black identity and personal experience.

Union’s IPSY collaboration is an extension of how she already promotes and supports black voices.

“As a Black female founder, it’s important to me to find ways to highlight the joy found in self-expression and vibrancy found in the Black experience,” Union said in a statement announcing the collaboration.

This emphasis on celebration marks an evolution in Black History Month observances, expanding beyond historical achievements to include present-day joy and creative expression.

Union’s approach also reflects a broader cultural shift toward embracing and amplifying Black joy as a form of upliftment.

“Through this collaboration, I hope I can empower everyone to hold space for the many versions of themselves and help them find the looks that celebrate each one,” she said.

Black History Month originated in 1926 as “Negro History Week,” created by historian Carter G. Woodson to ensure Black Americans’ contributions were taught and celebrated, according to the NAACP. The week was then expanded to a month in 1976, recognizing February’s significance in Black history such as the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb.12) and Frederick Douglass (celebrated Feb. 14 due to no official record).  

In addition to Union’s partnership, IPSY will be spotlighting inspiring stories, content, and products that honor the beauty and resilience of the Black community. Across its platforms, the beauty subscription service will use its audience to amplify voices and brands that champion diversity, creativity, and empowerment.

IPSY will also offer limited edition mystery bags that showcase designs created by students from Project Level, a youth program non-profit dedicated to nurturing the creative talents of at-risk and underserved children. The bags feature two unique designs inspired by an ode to hair, a powerful symbol of identity and cultural expression within the Black community.

Available Feb 1., Union curated the specialty subscription box to include brands such as LYS Beauty, Kosas, Elemis, and Benefit Cosmetics, along with her own brand Flawless by Gabrielle Union. 

IPSY members will also have exclusive access to a curated selection of Black-owned beauty brands through the IPSY Shop. Featured brands include Fenty Beauty, Briogeo, Danessa Myricks, Pat McGrath Labs, and Buttah Skin.