In 2017, Sharon Chuter introduced herself to me at a Vogue Beauty breakfast. Within minutes, I could tell she was unlike anyone else in the room—a seasoned beauty executive, laser-focused and charming, with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. Her beloved dog Leo was either cradled in her arms or peeking out of her Hermès bag. She spoke quickly, almost a mile a minute, but every word carried weight. It felt like listening to a great TED Talk in real time: compelling, clear, and impossible to ignore. She told me she was launching a beauty brand—something I hear often in my line of work—but this felt different. This was Uoma Beauty, a brand with a radical, forward-thinking, and technologically advanced approach to inclusivity.

Yet Sharon’s ambition went beyond just owning a beauty brand. She was an activist on a mission to ensure Black people received the same care and attention in beauty as everyone else—and that equity was achieved across the board. She wouldn’t stop until she had changed the beauty industry forever.

Soon after, I began working closely with her as Uoma took shape. From late-night calls about names and campaigns to strategy sessions on positioning and storytelling, and connecting her with retailers like Selfridges, I had the privilege of watching her vision come to life. Sharon was relentless. Nothing was superficial or performative. She questioned every detail—every name, texture, and shade—with one driving question: “Does this push us forward?”

And my goodness, she pushed. When Uoma Beauty launched in 2019, it wasn’t just another debut in an oversaturated market. Uoma was disruptive, political, joyous, and unapologetically Black.

While many brands paid lip service to diversity with glossy campaigns but offered limited shade ranges, Sharon delivered 51 foundations across six formulas, carefully calibrated to the Fitzpatrick scale—a system that classifies skin types for deeper, more diverse understanding. This alone was groundbreaking. No one else was creating foundations with this level of precision, innovation, or ambition. She tested them everywhere: at Soho House over drinks, in boardrooms during meetings—always striving for perfection. For Sharon, foundation wasn’t just about color; it was about accuracy, recognition, and belonging.

Her talent for naming was another sign of her brilliance. Sharon had a rare ability to capture culture and politics in a single word or phrase. Her concealers were called Stay Woke—a rallying cry that also hinted at the product’s effectiveness. Her lipsticks were named after icons: Maya (Angelou), Eartha (Kitt), Sade, Miriam (Makeba), Diana (Ross)—Black women who shaped culture, inspired generations, and were celebrated in their community. By putting their names on lipsticks, Sharon wasn’t just honoring them; she was weaving their legacy into everyday beauty rituals, bringing their power into makeup bags.

Even her campaigns were radical in intent. The first one was shot in Nigeria at Fela Kuti’s Shrine—a place rich with political history and musical rebellion. Shooting there was a statement. Fela was the father of Afrobeat and an outspoken critic of dictatorship and oppression. By placing beauty imagery in that space, Sharon made it clear: Uoma wasn’t here to conform; it was here to challenge. To bring that vision to life, she chose Nadine Ijewere, one of the most sought-after fashion photographers of her generation and a fellow Nigerian. With Sharon, “good enough” was never an option. Only the best would do—anything less was an insult to the mission. She always said Uoma wasn’t just a beauty brand; it was a manifesto.

Then came 2020. After the murder of George Floyd, brands around the world rushed to post black squares on Instagram—gestures that were, at best, hollow, and atSharon saw right through the beauty industry’s empty promises long before “inclusivity” became a popular term. Years earlier, she was already speaking out about the lack of Black representation in leadership, creative roles, and research labs—often at significant personal and professional cost. So when she started Pull Up For Change, it wasn’t just jumping on a trend. It was the next step in work she had been doing all along.

Pull Up For Change was straightforward but powerful: Sharon demanded that beauty brands reveal the number of Black employees in corporate and leadership positions within 72 hours. The hashtag #PullUpOrShutUp went viral, pressuring major companies like Estée Lauder, Glossier, MAC, and elf to become transparent. For years, these brands had profited from Black consumers while keeping Black people out of decision-making roles. Sharon made them show the truth, and once those numbers were out, they couldn’t be ignored. She shifted the focus from superficial diversity to real accountability.

She didn’t stop there. In 2021, she launched Make It Black, an initiative that reimagined popular beauty products in bold black packaging, with proceeds going to the Pull Up For Change Impact Fund. This provided Black entrepreneurs not just visibility, but crucial funding. For Sharon, representation without resource sharing was meaningless.

But don’t think she was all work and no play. Sharon knew how to have a good time. I’ll never forget the London launch of Uoma at Isabel’s in Mayfair—a night full of glamour, dancing to artists like Davido and Wizkid, with Sharon shining in her white Alexander McQueen suit. The L.A. launch was just as memorable, with a performance by Burna Boy. These weren’t typical product launches; they were celebrations. Uoma was innovative, but it was also joyful—a reflection of Sharon’s belief in music, laughter, and living fully.

She was relentless, driven, and often so absorbed in her work that I had to remind her to rest and eat. She was complex and demanding, but she felt she had to be. For too long, the beauty industry had settled for mediocrity or outright ignored Black consumers. Sharon refused to let Uoma—or herself—be anything less than excellent.

With me, she was warm, open, and vulnerable. Our relationship was built on respect, trust, and friendship. I believed deeply in her and in Uoma. It’s heartbreaking that the brand, despite its strong start, never reached the global success it deserved. Challenges like funding gaps and systemic barriers were beyond even Sharon’s fierce determination. She was no longer leading Uoma when she passed away, but what she achieved as an independent founder remains extraordinary. She made an industry built on exclusion face its biases. She centered Blackness not as an add-on or a marketing tactic, but as essential. She insisted that beauty is political, cultural, and above all, for everyone.

Listening back to our podcast interview, I hear her voice—funny, sharp, full of laughter, yet unwavering in her convictions. She sounds so alive. It’s hard to believe she’s gone at just 38. We’ve lost a true powerhouse, a fearless woman who always demanded more. I’m deeply grateful to have known Sharon Chuter, worked with her, and witnessed her brilliance up close. I hope her spirit lives on.It continues to influence every brand, compelling them to approach inclusivity with greater depth and authenticity. It also endures in every Black entrepreneur who feels empowered to create a brand that boldly centers our community.

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Remembering Sharon Chuter Founder of Uoma Beauty

Who is Sharon Chuter
Sharon Chuter is the founder and CEO of Uoma Beauty a makeup brand known for its inclusive shade ranges and empowering messaging She is also an activist and advocate for diversity in the beauty industry

What is Uoma Beauty
Uoma Beauty is a cosmetics brand launched by Sharon Chuter in 2019 It focuses on highperformance inclusive makeup for all skin tones and promotes selfexpression and confidence

Why is Sharon Chuter considered a fearless visionary
She challenged industry norms by pushing for true inclusivity in beauty speaking out against performative activism and creating products that cater to underrepresented communities

What were some of Sharon Chuters major accomplishments
She launched successful Uoma Beauty products like the Say What Foundation initiated the PullUpOrShutUp campaign to hold brands accountable for diversity and expanded the brand globally

What is the PullUpOrShutUp movement
It was a campaign started by Sharon Chuter in 2020 urging beauty brands to disclose the number of Black employees in leadership and corporate roles to promote transparency and real change

How did Sharon Chuter stand her ground in the beauty industry
She consistently advocated for equity called out brands for tokenism and built Uoma Beauty with a missiondriven approach rather than following trends

What challenges did Sharon Chuter face as a founder
She faced industry resistance funding hurdles as a Black female entrepreneur and pushback when calling out major brands on lack of diversity

What is Sharon Chuters background before Uoma Beauty
She held executive roles at major beauty companies like LVMH and Revlon giving her deep industry experience before launching her own brand

How has Uoma Beauty made an impact
It set a new standard for shade inclusivity influenced other brands to expand their ranges and supported social causes through initiatives and donations

What can aspiring entrepreneurs learn from Sharon Chuter
To stay true to their values use their platform for advocacy and persevere despite industry challenges

Where can I learn more about Sharon Chuter and her work
Follow her on social media explore the U