This February, Macy’s will honor the history, resilience, and contributions of Black Americans through “Black History. Black Brilliance,”  a round-up and donation campaign in stores and online at macys.com benefitting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which raises scholarship funds for promising students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Additionally, Macy’s, through its social purpose platform Mission Every One, will spotlight Black-owned brands, host online shopping events, and more in its ongoing commitment to take action to empower and support diverse businesses.

“This Black History Month, we’re furthering Macy’s mission of building a brighter future with bold representation for our colleagues, customers, and communities by spotlighting and celebrating the history, accomplishments, and resilience of Black Americans throughout our stores and across our brands,” said Shawn Outler, Macy’s chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer. “Through Mission Every One, we work with our communities and UNCF to raise critical funding that will empower the next generation of leaders, enabling growth and leadership through HBCU educational opportunities.”

From February 1st through February 28th, Macy’s customers can donate online or round up their in-store purchase amount, up to $0.99, to support Macy’s Brighter Futures Scholarship Fund. Since 2021, Macy’s has raised more than $2 million for UNCF, benefiting more than 100 HBCU students through academic and emergency aid scholarships that support their degree completion. Funds generated from this campaign will continue to provide scholarship aid and academic support for Black youth across the United States.

“UNCF appreciates the continued support of Macy’s and their customers through this outstanding campaign during Black History Month to help more HBCU students go to and through college,” said Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer, UNCF. “Every dollar counts as we work to support these deserving students, many of whom are first-generation and come from low-income communities. We encourage others in corporate America to follow Macy’s lead with similar round up and give-back campaigns and to keep giving to support HBCUs and the students they serve.”

Black Brilliance Takes Center Stage

As part of the store’s commitment to fuel accelerated growth and amplify diverse-owned brands, select Black-owned brands will be highlighted in-store and online via macys.com, in marketing and on Macy’s social. Featured brands include:

• Beauty Stat, a premium quality skincare brand
• Buttah. by Dorion Renaud, a skincare line geared towards melanin-rich skin
• Harlem Candle Co., a luxury home fragrance brand inspired by Harlem’s Jazz Age 
• Soap Distillery, a sustainable line of cocktail-scented soaps, candles, and bath & body products
• SPGBK (pronounced ‘Spring Break’), a vibrant and colorful watch brand.

These brands’ unique stories will also be featured as part of Macy’s ongoing “Black History. Black Brilliance.” showcase via macys.com/purpose. In addition, “Macy’s Live” will host a live shopping event on February 14 highlighting an array of Black-owned products, co-hosted by Dorion Renaud, owner of Buttah Skin.

Macy’s will also launch rotating product pavilions in 275 stores nationwide, highlighting the company’s social purpose work. The pavilions will feature product from diverse-owned brands throughout the year. Product on display in February will feature exclusive products from Black-owned brands, Coco Michele and Puzzle Huddle.

In partnership with Harlem’s Fashion Row, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have joined the organization’s new shopping directory called HFR&Co., which provides curated lists of emerging Black and Latino-owned designers for consumers to shop. By providing a list of brands, the platform allows shoppers to easily find and support these designers. This partnership is another avenue in which Macy’s is elevating and supporting Black-owned brands, a commitment reinforced by the company when it signed the Fifteen Percent Pledge. Since joining the long-term pact Macy’s has increased its number of Black-owned brands by eight times, with product sold nationwide.

Black History. Black Brilliance. will also be on display in Macy’s iconic Herald Square windows during the month of February. From February 3rd to 27th, customers can enjoy displays created for Macy’s by Harlem’s Fashion Row Designers, with images hand-painted by Brooklyn-based artist, Ashley Buttercup.

Partners for a Brighter Future

In addition to UNCF, Macy’s, Inc. will continue to create positive change for the Black community through its longtime commitment to various nationwide and local organizations focused on education, economic development and social justice. This includes providing grants to a variety of organizations like 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Black Retail Action Group (BRAG); National Action Network (NAN); NAACP – NY Chapter; National Urban League; Thurgood Marshall College Fund; and the National Museum of African American History & Culture.

New this year, Macy’s has also committed $50k to support a survey piloted by The Steve Fund, an organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. In partnership with UNCF the survey will address emerging needs, themes, and priorities on HBCU campuses.

Additionally, Macy’s Future of Style Fund, an initiative promoting bold representation in design, styling and sustainability, is supplying Clark Atlanta University with a $100k grant to provide deserving students with scholarships. The grant will also provide total programming support including funding hands on learning experiences, and updated technology.

Authenticity is at the heart of all Macy’s social impact work. Leadership Development and representation are engrained into Macy’s culture by the Black Employee Resource Group (ERG), ONYX. Serving as an important resource for the Black colleagues at Macy’s, ONYX promotes career development while supporting company business priorities, objectives, and brand values. With a focus on the recruitment of premier talent and the retention/mentorship of Black executives, ONYX is committed to community service and volunteerism impacting Black communities.

This February, Macy’s colleagues will have the opportunity to participate in an in-person learning event focused on leadership skills and colleague development, attend panel discussions on Macy’s initiatives including S.P.U.R. Pathways – a funding program to advance entrepreneurial growth, close wealth gaps and shatter systemic barriers faced by diverse-owned and underrepresented businesses-, partake in volunteer mentoring opportunities with Figure Skating in Harlem, and join a discussion with JOY Collective on Black Beauty and The Crown Act.

For more information and to shop the collections visit macys.com/purpose.