In 2020, Olay announced their #FaceTheSTEMGap program in order to give women the recognition they deserve. The initiative kicked off with video marketing ads presenting STEM leaders, with each individual's message coded in scientific formulas or computer programming language. Rolanda Wilkerson, Principal Scientist and Senior Director Skincare at Olay and P&G, comments, “With over 65 years of a science-first approach to skincare, we understand the importance of science, engineering, technology and math. We’re proud to recognize and support the next generation of women in STEM who will one day be making history in their respective fields and become role models for young girls in the future.”

To kick off year two of the 10-year #FaceTheSTEMGap campaign, which aims to achieve gender equality in STEM fields by 2030, Olay is partnering with EBONY to release the first limited-edition EBONY print issue since 2019. Founded in 1945, and operating under the mantra of “Moving Black Forward,” EBONY declares itself a leading media authority on Black culture and all facets of Black Life. The print issue created by Olay and EBONY will feature HBCU x OLAY STEM Queens, an initiative designed to spotlight collegiate Black women alongside women of color in STEM roles at P&G.

Due to release on 2/11, the issue will feature a retrospective on Black female inventors. This will include an insight into the top historically Black college and university STEM programs, as well as a glance at Atlanta’s Black tech scene and a letter to the upcoming STEM generation from vaccine developer Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett. Wilkerson adds, “As a woman of color in science myself, it would have been life-changing to have more role models that looked like me to look up to, and I’m so excited to be able to provide this for young women today, including my daughter. I want my daughter to know that no dream is too big, and she can be anything she wants to be.”

Women currently make up only 27% of the STEM workforce, and this has only worsened due to burnout as a result of the pandemic. As part of the Olay and EBONY collaboration, $10K grants will be provided alongside the print release to recognize collegiate Black women in STEM fields. The magazine release is one of four $1 million commitments across four initiatives, all of which will be released within the coming months.