Crystal Marie Render and Erynn Townsend of Salon Concepts Tri-County location are two of twenty nationwide recipients of Procter & Gamble’s Salon Give Back Grant Program.

Render’s Crystal Marie Divine Designs and Townsend’s E-Exclusive Hair were each awarded $10,000 to help salon owners and stylists reopen and rebuild during the pandemic.

The Cincinnati-based maker of consumer goods such as Pantene and Royal Oils by Head & Shoulders, helped 20 Black salon owners and stylists whose women-owned businesses have been affected by the pandemic. 

Erynn Townsend

“Thank you, Pantene, Head & Shoulders and Procter & Gamble for recognizing how hard Covid-19 has hit our industry and being there in full support,” Render said in a Facebook post. “I work hard for my Crystallized beauties, and to be rewarded in this way means everything to me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

P & G noted that while all businesses have been disrupted by the global pandemic and shutdowns mandated by governments to prevent the spread of coronavirus, those owned by women of color have been hit especially hard.

“Salons and stylists are essential to our community,” said Lela Coffey, P&G’s vice president of multicultural beauty. “We hope these grants enable stylists to continue to do the work they love, safely.”