Wells\u2011Collins, who grew up in the Houston area, said she had little exposure to STEM careers as a child. She later earned a biomedical chemistry degree and a master\u2019s in community development from Prairie View A&M University, where she was first introduced to cosmetic chemistry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to be a pharmacist so that I can create an organization to help serve underserved youth,\u201d she said. \u201cI stumbled on the industry really just formulating and creating out of necessity because I have a citrus allergy.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Kristen Wells\u2011Collins helping girls in a learning lab at a local school.<\/p>\n
That discovery, she said, changed her career path and ultimately inspired her to make science more accessible to girls who may not see themselves represented in the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that Black women spend nine times more on beauty products than any other demographic. And Black people only make up 8% of cosmetic chemists,\u201d Wells\u2011Collins said. \u201cFrom that number, about only 2% of them are Black women.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through Black to the Lab, Wells\u2011Collins has worked with Dallas ISD, Duncanville ISD, and DeSoto ISD, along with local Girl Scout troops. The organization has reached more than 3,000 students so far and aims to serve 10,000 by the end of the year. Programs have also expanded into classrooms outside Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, it was very important to meet the learners where they are in that school environment,\u201d said Wells-Collins. \u201cWe ask students all the time when they come into our workshop, what did you use to get ready this morning? Because it is beyond beauty. Did you know that those were made by scientists?\u201d<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s mobile learning activations transform school spaces into temporary chemistry labs. Students use beakers, fragrance oils, and pigments to formulate their own products, then learn how those items connect to science and potential careers in STEM fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust to see how they light up with just that first connection is what we’re always aiming for when we are trying to figure out where we want to reach learners,\u201d said Wells\u2011Collins.<\/p>\n
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She said the program also helps boost confidence, especially for girls who may not have considered science careers as an option.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re building that confidence muscle and learning something new in hopes that it will keep them inspired to see themselves represented in STEM beyond where they are,\u201d she said. \u201cWe also have an opportunity to end our sessions where they can develop a pitch and tell us about their product, if they’re interested in selling their product or if they were to build a business around their product.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later this week, Black to the Lab will host a special learning lab at a Dallas ISD campus in partnership with the Dallas Mavericks, bringing cosmetic chemistry lessons to even more young students.<\/p>\n
Wells\u2011Collins said the mission is not just about introducing girls to chemistry but showing them they can be creators in an industry where they are often underrepresented.<\/p>\n
“While we have a great time and we are inclusive of everyone and we know that all young girls enjoy our experience — the heart of what started this is really creating an opportunity to address that disparity, especially where you are seeing yourself as a consumer,” she said. “We want young girls to now also see themselves as producers as well.”<\/p>\n