THE BEAUTYWELL PROJECT

THE BEAUTYWELL PROJECT IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS FOUNDED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF SKIN-LIGHTENING PRACTICES AND CHEMICAL EXPOSURES IN THE IMMIGRANT AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO DEVELOP HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, EMPOWERMENT, POLICY AND SYSTEMS CHANGES. WE HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING COMMUNITY FORUMS TO EDUCATE THE SOMALI/AFRICAN GROUPS, HMONG AND LATINO AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ABOUT THE SKIN-LIGHTENING PRACTICES, CHEMICAL EXPOSURES, THE HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS. WE HAVE CONDUCTED SEVERAL FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS AND KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS IN THE SOMALI, HMONG, LATINO AND SOUTH SUDANESE COMMUNITIES TO LEARN THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SKIN-LIGHTENING PRACTICES, HOW THE CULTURES INFLUENCE THE PRACTICE AND THE UNJUST RACIAL ASSOCIATE WITH SKIN COLOR. WE HAVE TRAINED FOUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS INCLUDING MORE THAN 100 CLINICS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL METRO AREA AND GREATER MN. MORE THAN 3,000 HEALTH CARE PROVIDER