Uoma Beauty Founder Sharon Chuter Dies at 38 in Los Angeles

Sharon Chuter, the Nigerian-born founder of Uoma Beauty and a pioneering advocate for inclusivity in the beauty industry, died unexpectedly at age 38, with her death currently under investigation. Chuter launched Uoma Beauty in 2019, introducing over 100 products including foundation shades spanning 51 tones, aiming to authentically represent diverse skin tones beyond superficial inclusivity. She had a notable career with major brands like L’Oréal, LVMH, and Revlon, where she notably helped expand Revlon's presence in Nigeria. In 2020, Chuter launched the Pull Up for Change initiative and the viral #PullUpOrShutUp campaign, challenging beauty companies to disclose the number of Black employees in corporate and leadership roles, urging transparency and economic empowerment in the Black community. Despite stepping down as CEO in 2023 after a serious health scare, she remained an influential shareholder and activist, continuing to push for meaningful diversity in the industry. Her death marks a significant loss for the beauty world and advocates who saw her as a transformative leader.