The beauty industry is mourning the loss of Sharon Chuter, the visionary founder of Uoma Beauty and the social impact initiative Pull Up for Change, who has died at just 38.
Known for her unapologetic voice and fearless leadership, Chuter transformed not only how beauty brands thought about inclusivity but also how corporations at large were held accountable for diversity.
Born in Nigeria, Chuter built her career working with powerhouse companies like LVMH, Revlon, and Benefit Cosmetics before stepping out on her own.
In 2019, she launched Uoma Beauty, a brand celebrated for its bold aesthetics, fearless messaging, and, most importantly, its inclusive foundation range that rivaled even the biggest players in the industry. With shade names that celebrated Black heritage and campaigns centered around empowerment, Uoma quickly became a favorite among beauty lovers seeking authenticity and representation.
But it was in 2020, during the height of global protests for racial justice, that Chuter cemented her place as an industry changemaker. She founded Pull Up for Change, a movement that demanded transparency from beauty brands and corporations about the number of Black employees they had in leadership.
Her initiative forced global giants, from Estée Lauder to L’Oréal, to publicly release their diversity data, sparking conversations and reforms that rippled across industries far beyond beauty.
Colleagues, fans, and fellow entrepreneurs have taken to social media to honor her. Many recall her sharp wit, fearless spirit, and ability to challenge the status quo while still uplifting others. To them, Chuter wasn’t just a CEO, she was a mentor, a fighter, and a beacon for underrepresented voices in beauty and business.
Her passing at such a young age feels like an immeasurable loss, but her legacy continues to echo in every corner of the industry. Uoma Beauty stands as a testament to her belief that makeup should be bold, inclusive, and liberating. Pull Up for Change remains a blueprint for how grassroots activism can shake up billion-dollar corporations.
Sharon Chuter leaves behind a legacy that is bigger than beauty. She showed the world that one woman’s voice, when amplified with courage and conviction, could spark systemic change. Though gone too soon, her impact will be felt for generations.
