Shontay Lundy
Shontay Lundy | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 12, 1982 Fort Knox, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, advocate |
| Known for | Founder of Black Girl Sunscreen |
Shontay Lundy (born October 12, 1982) is an American businesswoman and advocate known for promoting sun safety awareness in communities of color. She is the creator of Black Girl Sunscreen, a sunscreen line formulated specifically for people with darker skin tones. In 2018, her innovative product was recognized by Popular Science as one of the 100 Greatest Innovations.
Early life and education
Lundy was born on a military installation in Fort Knox, Kentucky and grew up in Upstate New York. She completed her secondary education at Valley Central High School in Montgomery, New York before obtaining a Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Cortland. Later, she moved to Miami, Florida to pursue an MBA, earning her Master of Business Administration in Management and Operations from St. Thomas University (Florida) in 2006.
Career
After spending ten years working in middle and senior management roles within corporate America, Lundy relocated to Los Angeles, California at age 34 to embark on a career in the cosmetics sector. This transition led to the development of Black Girl Sunscreen. She subsequently returned to South Florida to establish the company, investing $33,000 of her own funds to engage a chemist and manufacturer.
Since launching, Black Girl Sunscreen has become the first Black-owned sunscreen brand available at prominent retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Ulta. In 2020, the business secured $1 million in private investment, placing its valuation at $5 million. Lundy has also formed strategic collaborations with organizations including Disney Studios, the USC Women's Track & Field Team, and iHeart Media.
Beyond running her enterprise, Lundy hosts the “Radio-to-Podcast” series titled Shamelessly Shontay and partners with dermatology departments at institutions like George Washington University and Howard University. Her media appearances include spots on Good Morning America, The Sherri Shepherd Show, The Real, various national radio and news programs, the 2024 BET Awards, and Peacock's documentary Founding In Color.
Activism
Lundy’s advocacy centers on promoting inclusivity and health equity in sun care by educating about the necessity of sun protection for people of color, particularly within Black communities. She draws attention to the underrepresentation of Black women in beauty and skincare sectors and champions increased research and product innovation aimed at Black consumers.
Awards
- Included in Popular Science’s 100 Greatest Innovations of 2018.
- Featured on Forbes Next 1000 list in 2021.
- Recipient of the RevolutionHER Trailblazer Award in 2022.
- Honored with the Archive Award from Where Brains Meet Beauty Podcast in 2023.
- Awarded the Phenomenal Women Award by the Regional Cal Black Chamber of Commerce in 2024.
- Recognized at Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW)’s inaugural Visionary Awards in 2024.
External links
- 1982 births
- American cosmetics businesspeople
- 21st-century American inventors
- 21st-century African-American businesspeople
- Living people
- African-American activists
- People from Knox County, Kentucky
- Businesspeople from New York (state)
- Businesspeople from New York City
- State University of New York at Cortland alumni
- St. Thomas University (Florida) alumni