BICA launches, with the inaugural event tied to the December 12, 2021 date and an emphasis on getting the beauty industry and community together in one place.
Our Story
Beauty, community, and Black economic growth belong in the same room.
BICA launched in 2021, and the NYC chapter was started by Dr. Dave Ray to bring that wider mission into New York through recognition, relationship, and shared Black economic growth.
Why BICA matters
Public coverage of BICA describes its mission as bridging the gap between the beauty industry and the community while creating more economic growth within Black communities. That framing shows up clearly in the chapter’s events: the gatherings are celebratory, but they are also built around visibility, support, and business connection.
The NYC chapter carries that mission into a local scene shaped by brunch culture, fashion, salon relationships, entrepreneurship, and neighborhood-level support. The result is not just an event series. It is a meeting point for people who create style, culture, and opportunity.
Timeline
A quick chapter line through the public record.
Coverage around BICA Legacy Weekend describes a growing network of events in cities including New York, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, Oklahoma City, and Winston-Salem.
Public NYC event listings place a BICA Awards Brunch at 440 Convent Avenue, with language that centers honoring Black achievers, Black businesses, and Black economic growth.
The 4th Annual BICA Awards Brunch NYC takes place on August 24, 2025 at The Social Hall on Convent Avenue, with Natural Hair Expert Thurando Kafele named as honoree in the supplied chapter materials.
“From there, we encourage everyone to intentionally shop Black businesses...” remains one of the clearest public articulations of BICA’s economic focus, and it still reads as a useful compass for the NYC chapter.