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Skin You're In

Austin company on mission to end discrimination one lip balm at a time

James Jeffrey
May 9, 2019 | 10:38 am

Austin-based skin-care company Skinisskin is a Senegalese-British endeavor selling “the little lip balm on a mission to end discrimination.” To which one might wonder: What has lip balm got to do with discrimination?

The answer lies in the company’s origins, steeped in racial tensions that erupted in America during 2016 over a deluge of much publicized police shootings of African Americans.

“It was a stark, stark reminder for me, and it really highlighted the fact that we still have biases running deep in our society,” says Magatte Wade, CEO and founder. In addition to founding the company, Wade is a well-known thinker and speaker — she’s cracked a TED talk — on the subject of using business as a solution to poverty and social issues.

“I consider myself a radical optimist, especially in the face of pain and in the face of adversity,” Wade says. “I am always reminded and inspired that that’s actually the time to do something.”

While America seethed with anger and confusion over the shootings, Wade caught a New York-bound flight from Austin en route to Paris to give a talk about “Economic Freedom in Africa.” She found herself sitting next to Sharon Miller, a British expat who has made Austin her home for the last two decades while building her stateside advertising and marketing company, Fire Studios.

The two ladies got into a deep conversation about the state of xenophobia in the world and the role of brands in changing culture. At the end of the flight, they decided to meet again. Four coffee meetings later, a new partnership was formed, after which Skinisskin followed.

The pair decided to start with the humble lip balm as it is an accessible product that anyone can buy. It’s also easily carried around, hence the company’s hope that each time you take out your lip balm to take care of your lips, if it’s the “mint and curiosity” variety — the range also includes “anise and empathy” and “coconut and love” — you are reminded to also switch on your curiosity, an essential ingredient in un-doing the habit of unconscious bias.

The lip balms are produced in Senegal — where Wade is from — and made from organic coconut oil, organic shea butter, candelilla wax, castor, and hibiscus and baobab seed oils, all of which are 100 percent natural and vegan, and have a proven track record of improving skin.

“We wanted to make a product that nourishes the parts of people that can do some good,” explain the duo on the website. “Lips are connectors, they are the place for kind words, they smile, they encourage, kissing isn’t bad either.”

In addition to an online store, the lip balms are sold in 28 independent natural stores and co-ops scattered nationally, though mostly in Texas and on the West and East coasts for now.

Fifty percent of profits go to organizations working to end bias, and the company is always looking for new partnerships with those working on discrimination and bias in schools and the community.

It is also currently partnering with the University of Wisconsin Prejudice and Intergroup Relations Lab, which has developed a training program that has shown to un-do the habit of unintentional bias.

“They have helped us extensively with making their training program palatable for the general public and the short attention spans of the current social media landscape,” says Miller, the company’s CMO and brand steward, who started her career as a publicity department assistant to Jim Henson before working on assignments for the likes of ESPN, Apple, Nike, Whole Foods Market, and Rolling Stone.

The Skinisskin website carries five exercises from the university’s research that can be applied to counter such unintentional biases, as well as other myriad pieces of advice, information, and videos on how to avoid stereotyping and retrain your brain against its hidden prejudices, which, the company wants you to know, are much deeper and bigger than any of us realize.

“You believe yourself to be fair and open, but in reality your brain is relying on harmful stereotypes to make a million decisions throughout its day,” Miller says. “This happens because your brain is lazy and loves automation.”

With its efforts to do more for society than just sell a product, the company fits into growing momentum for more socially conscious businesses that encourage societal change, with younger customers increasingly demanding greater honesty and accountability from businesses.

With new accounts such as Whole Foods, Skinisskin is planning for good growth this year and is also coming out with a hand balm, which the duo say they hope encourages more hugs and handshakes.

Underpinning all this, Wade and Miller emphasize, is the notion that the mission comes before the product. “This company, at its base and core, is really an act of hope,” Wade says.


The balms can be purchased online or at retailers like Whole Foods Market.

SkinisSkin founders
Courtesy photo
The balms can be purchased online or at retailers like Whole Foods Market.
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beer inspires creativity

Austin Clone - New craft beer bar taps into Rice University's Midtown innovation district

Eric Sandler
Nov 13, 2022 | 7:33 pm
Austin Clone - New craft beer bar taps into Rice University's Midtown innovation district
Photo by Taylor Cooper
Second Draught has arrived at the Ion.

Innovative Houstonians will soon have a place to collaborate over a beer or two. Second Draught opens Monday, September 12 inside The Ion, Rice University's new innovation district in Midtown.

Customers will be able to select from 18 beers taps that draw upon Houston's community of 70-plus craft beer breweries such as Saint Arnold, True Anomaly, and Eureka Heights. The counter service bar also offers two wines. Overall, Second Draught will seat 66 people inside and another 20 on its patio.

Owners Sarah Pope and Adam Cryer bring craft beer credibility as the owners of Baileson Brewing Company, a nano-brewery near Rice Village. They recognize the bar will be a place to introduce new breweries to the Ion's community. It will also be a gathering place where a conversation may spark a promising new invention.

“We are overjoyed to open Second Draught to Houston’s innovation ecosystem — as well as to those stopping in to the Ion for innovation-focused and community-centric events," Pope said in a statement. “Second Draught is designed to be a communal destination for anyone and everyone who visits the Ion, whether they are here on a daily basis, are coming for a specific program, or are taking advantage of the Ion’s expansive open working areas.”

“As the Ion has continued to grow its community of tenants, partners, and collaborators, the need has never been greater for a watering hole for this dynamic group of Houston’s current and future leaders,” added Ion executive director Jan Odegard. “Gathering outside of the office and exchanging ideas in a relaxed environment could spark the next innovation that solves a complex problem. Second Draught brings added vibrancy to the building as programming has expanded and the Ion’s ecosystem continues to evolve.”

Second Draught joins Common Bond On-The-Go as the Ion's second food and beverage concept. In the months to come, the facility will welcome Late August, an Afro-Asian restaurant from Top Chef finalist Dawn Burrell and Lucille's chef-owner Chris Williams, and The Lymbar, a bar-forward, small plates concept from chef David Cordua, formerly of Churrascos and Americas. Cajun-inspired restaurant Stuff'd Wings recently opened in the former Shipley Do-Nuts across from the Ion's main building.

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Best Wishes

The holiday shopping genie returns to Austin to fulfill one-stop browsing wishes

Brianna Caleri
Nov 11, 2022 | 1:25 pm
Interior sign of Blue Genie Art Bazaar in Austin
Photo courtesy of Blue Genie Art Bazaar

The floor is packed with nearly 200 vendors at the 2022 bazaar.

Sometimes it feels like the only way all the holiday shopping can get done is if a genie steps in. Austin’s Blue Genie Art Bazaar (BGAB) isn’t far from that fantasy; no one can choose for you, but the curated artisan goods narrow down the possibilities, gathering a mix of people-pleasing and hyper-specific gifts under one roof.

November 18 kicks off the 22nd iteration of the bazaar, with nearly 200 vendors that generally steer clear of holiday clichés, focusing mostly on art, snacks, and home goods. It would be easiest to shop for friends and family who love decorating their homes and kitchens, but shoppers will also find accessories, toys, and sometimes even experiences.

The website divides the vendors into categories that make it easy to plan a trip with shoppers who like a plan, although seeing what stands out in person is at least half the fun. One step further into perfectly streamlined shopping, personal shoppers will make selections for a fee of 10% of the price of the item a home shopper selects (capped at $25).

Three of the four BGAB founders — all artists themselves — sent out some ideas to their nice list contacts:

  • Dana Younger recommends soap by Fleegal Farms, tea towels by Victrola and Kimball Prints, chocolate by Madhu, tea from White Cloud and SESA, and shirts by Supermaggie.
  • Kevin Collins recommends artworks by Dan Grissom and Danika Ostrowski, and accessories by JNA Designs.
  • Chris Coakley recommends art by JCR Work, Eya Claire, and another founder, Rory Skagen.

“As always, this year’s Blue Genie Art Bazaar will be filled with some of the best work of our local artists,” said Younger in a press release. “And, as always, we’ll have a mix of recognized favorites along with exciting new artists and plenty of items to surprise and inspire."

In 2021, Blue Genie’s efforts were acknowledged by Austin Chronicle readers, who voted it to the top of the Austin Gifts/Souvenirs category. In addition to a well-balanced curation, it offers a very shopper-friendly experience with free parking and admission, and a snack bar. Shoppers can feel good about supporting local artisans as well as the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Central and South Texas, which receives a portion of every Monday’s sales.

The 22nd annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar will be held in the Blue Genie Art building at 6100 Airport Boulevard, from 10 am to 10 pm daily until December 24. The last day, Christmas Eve, closes at 6 pm. More information and shopping links are available at bluegenieartbazaar.com.

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historic discovery

NASA confirms stunning discovery of Space Shuttle Challenger artifact

Steven Devadanam
Nov 11, 2022 | 12:34 pm
Space Shuttle Challenger liftoff 1986
Photo courtesy of NASA

Divers off the east coast of Florida discovered the underwater artifact.

A TV documentary crew has just made a startling discovery linked to one of the American space program's greatest tragedies, one that deeply resonated here in Texas. Divers off the east coast of Florida have found an artifact underwater that NASA confirms is debris from the space shuttle Challenger.

While searching for wreckage of a World War II-era aircraft, documentary divers noticed a large object covered partially by sand on the seafloor, one that was clearly crafted by humans. The team contacted NASA after analyzing the proximity to the Florida Space Coast, the item’s modern construction, and presence of 8-inch square tiles, according to the space agency.

Upon viewing the TV crew's footage, NASA leaders confirmed the object is indeed part of the Challenger, which exploded during launch on January 28, 1986, killing all seven crew members on board — all of whom trained in Houston.

A History Channel documentary depicting the discovery of the Challenger artifact is scheduled to air Tuesday, November 22. While the episode will screen as part of a series about the Bermuda Triangle, the artifact was found well northwest of the area popularly known as the Bermuda Triangle, researchers note.

NASA, meanwhile, is currently considering what additional actions it may take regarding the artifact that will properly honor the legacy of Challenger’s fallen astronauts and their families, the agency notes.

The Challenger disaster is now counted as one of American history's "where were you?" moments. The mission, dubbed STS-51L, was commanded by Francis R. “Dick” Scobee and piloted by Michael J. Smith. The other crew members on board were mission specialists Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, and Judith A. Resnik; payload specialist Gregory B. Jarvis; and teacher S. Christa McAuliffe.

Space Shuttle Challenger crew 1986The Challenger crew poses ahead of the mission in January, 1986.Photo courtesy of NASA

McAuliffe, a charismatic civilian with a bright smile, became an international celebrity, bringing everyman accessibility to the space program. She was beloved by fans young and old, and quickly became the face of the doomed mission.

Celebrating NASA's 25th shuttle mission, the spacecraft waited overnight on Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A sudden coastal cold front brought freezing temperatures, causing ice to form on the shuttle. Launch managers cleared the mission for launch at 11:38 am on January 28, despite concerns raised by some shuttle program employees.

A mere 73 seconds after liftoff, major malfunction caused the explosion that killed the seven crew members, a moment captured on live TV and watched by millions.

Later, a NASA investigation revealed that the unexpectedly cold temperatures affected the integrity of O-ring seals in the solid rocket booster segment joints, sparking the explosion.

Challenger's loss, and later Columbia with its seven astronauts – which broke up on reentry in February 2003 over the western United States – greatly influenced NASA’s culture regarding safety. The agency went on to create an Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, developed new risk assessment procedures, and established an environment in which everyone can raise safety concerns.

NASA also created the Apollo Challenger Columbia Lessons Learned Program to share these lessons within the agency and with other government, public, commercial, and international audiences.

“While it has been nearly 37 years since seven daring and brave explorers lost their lives aboard Challenger, this tragedy will forever be seared in the collective memory of our country,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. “For millions around the globe, myself included, January 28, 1986, still feels like yesterday. This discovery gives us an opportunity to pause once again, to uplift the legacies of the seven pioneers we lost, and to reflect on how this tragedy changed us. At NASA, the core value of safety is – and must forever remain – our top priority, especially as our missions explore more of the cosmos than ever before.”

By law, all space shuttle artifacts are the property of the U.S. government. Members of the public who believe they have encountered any space shuttle artifacts should contact NASA at ksc-public-inquiries@mail.nasa.gov to arrange for return of the items.

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