TFF Launches #FragranceForwardTFF for Diversity & Inclusion

The initiative will use TFF’s membership base to share resources for education and scholarship programs, recruitment, outreach, mentoring and networking opportunities.
The initiative will use TFF’s membership base to share resources for education and scholarship programs, recruitment, outreach, mentoring and networking opportunities.

The Fragrance Foundation (TFF)has announced #FragranceForwardTFF, an initiative to advance, increase and sustain measurable levels of diversity, equity and inclusion in the fragrance industry.

Related: The Fragrance Foundation UK Awards Winners 2021

The initiative will harness the collective power of TFF’s membership base to share and allocate dedicated resources towards education and scholarship programs, recruitment and outreach, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.

In support of #FragranceForwardTFF, The Fragrance Foundation will present Industry Perspectives on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, a free webinar on Wednesday, October 20 at 12:00 PM EST.

The virtual event will discuss the challenges of building a career in the fragrance industry with insights from professionals. Panelists include Chris Collins, founder, World of Chris Collins; Corey Smith; head of diversity and inclusion for North America, LVMH; Rob Smith, CEO and founder, The Phluid Project; and Linda Song, senior perfumer, Givaudan. Helen Shelton, global chief diversity officer and luxury brand marketing communications expert, Finn Partners, will moderate the discussion.

Panelists will address questions such as what inspired them to build a career in the fragrance industry, what some of the challenges are they face and how the industry can be more accountable in driving DEI across all levels, from fragrance development to marketing, creative, retail and more.

A major element of #FragranceForwardTFF is the creation of an industry-wide, Fragrance Foundation DEI Signatory Pledge. TFF’s 100-plus members will commit not only to furthering their respective DEI goals but also pledging to assist TFF in building and shaping #FragranceForwardTFF in the months and years ahead. This will be achieved by sharing resources and creating opportunities for mentorship, educational advancement and more aggressive recruiting.

The Fragrance Foundation is also embarking on a series of virtual listening sessions and tours of institutions of higher learning to engage with students and to discuss ways in which they might enter the field. A TFF Career Paths series will premiere this week with students, faculty and alumni during Homecoming at Spelman College. The session will be led by Levy, along with Spelman alumna Sharné Jackson, TFF’s senior director of Events, Education and Give Back.

Linda G. Levy, president, The Fragrance Foundation, said, “The Fragrance Foundation is committed to working with our members and the entire industry to make representation a priority. This can only be achieved through a dedicated, sustainable effort, and through #FragranceForwardTFF, we’re bringing together the entire community to align on actionable steps to ensure access to opportunities for all people, everywhere. Together, we are creating pathways for success with the ultimate goal of shaping an industry that is a true reflection of the total population we all serve.”

Register for the event here.

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