We recently had the chance to connect with Deida Massey and have shared our conversation below.
Deida, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Everyday I wake up, I start my day in prayer with gratitude and thanksgiving. I love going to the gym to reset my mental health. If I’m not working on Bixa Beauty fulfilling orders or on set filming, I spend time in my co-working space answering emails, filling out grant applications and working on elevating my brand.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Deida Massey, I am a dynamic and visionary brand owner, makeup artist, philanthropist, and author whose career reflects both artistic excellence and social impact. As the founder of Bixa Beauty, I created a brand that celebrates inclusivity, confidence, and the beauty of diverse skin tones—especially centering women of color in an industry that has too often overlooked them.
With a celebrated career in TV and film, I have brought an expert touch to high-profile productions, helping shape the visual storytelling behind the camera while also advocating for greater representation in front of it. My work isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about amplifying identity, presence, and power through beauty.
Beyond my professional success, I am deeply committed to giving back. As a philanthropist, I use my platform to uplift underserved communities, mentor young artists, and create access to opportunities through as Co-Owner of Last Looks Chicago. My work in education and empowerment reflects a belief that beauty is not just seen—but felt, lived, and shared.
As an author, my voice to inspire others, sharing my journey and insights to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives to own their purpose and push past the limitations placed on them.
In every lane I move through—business, media, philanthropy, and storytelling—and exemplify what it means to lead with purpose, passion, and power.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that really shaped me on how I viewed the world is when I started to travel internationally. Traveling has a profound impact on you. A famous Anthony Bourdain quote on travel is, “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life- and travel leaves marks on you.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Everyday I want to give up but I refuse to give up. Being a business owner can be challenging. Resilience is apart of the process. Life lessons, overcoming obstacles and choosing you everyday is a mental journey. The journey is not defined by the outcome-it is defined by the process. I believe I have been refined in ways imaginable through the process of being a business owner.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Here are two lies that intersect inside industries I am apart of:
As a brand owner, one of the biggest inequities facing Black women in the entertainment industry—and in business more broadly—is access to funding. While our white counterparts are often given the benefit of the doubt and access to capital based on potential, Black women are too often asked to prove ourselves ten times over, even when we have the track record, the vision, and the ability to deliver. It’s not just about lack of resources—it’s about who gets trusted with investment and who doesn’t.
There’s a persistent myth in the industry that Black-led projects are ‘niche’ or ‘risky,’ and that’s simply not true. Time and again, we’ve seen the commercial and cultural power of stories led by Black women, yet when it comes to financing, gatekeepers still treat us as the exception, not the rule. This lack of equity in funding reflects deeper issues of bias and a lack of imagination about who gets to lead, innovate, and build sustainable businesses in this space.
If the industry is serious about inclusion, it must start with capital—because money is power, and without equitable access to it, we’re kept on the margins of an industry we help shape in profound ways.
As a Black woman in the entertainment industry, I’ve seen firsthand how the conversation around inclusivity often stops at visibility—what we see on-screen—while completely overlooking what happens behind the scenes. The truth is, Black women are consistently excluded from decision-making positions, creative leadership roles, and even entry-level opportunities that serve as stepping stones in this business. The industry has created an illusion of progress by spotlighting diversity in front of the camera, but the hiring processes behind the camera tell a different story. There’s a systemic bias that assumes our voices aren’t as ‘marketable,’ our perspectives not as ‘universal,’ and that bias directly affects how and if we’re hired.
What’s even more troubling is that many within the industry remain blind to how deep this issue goes. It’s not always about overt racism—it’s often the result of comfortable networks, unconscious bias, and a lack of intentional outreach. Until there is a real commitment to equity—meaning not just opening the door but ensuring we’re invited into the room, empowered, and heard—the industry will continue to miss out on the full spectrum of talent and storytelling that Black women have to offer.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Investing!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Bixabeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bixabeauty
- Facebook: Bixa Beauty
Image Credits
Erika Bracey Photography and Rosemint Media
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
