On Saturday, June 25th, Founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products, Jesseca Harris-Dupart, accomplished an industry first by setting the Guinness World Record title for the largest donation of haircare products in 24 hours.
The brand collaborated with Harlem Pride during their 13th annual Celebration Day, alongside prominent guests including Mayor Eric Adams, to unveil this incredible activation on stage to a crowd of more than 20,000 attendees from across the country.
Prior to the celebration, we had an opportunity to speak with Jessica Harris- Dupart about how Kaleidoscope Hair Products came to be and its continued growth in the hair care space.
The Knockturnal: As the first black, openly gay founder in the multicultural hair space — How do you think your identity has influenced the impact you’ve made in this space?
Jesseca Harris- Dupart: It’s not like I went into this like “hey, let me be the first!” I have just been very transparent about who I am and I hope my journey and my life can show everybody that they can do anything. You don’t have to stay within the guidelines of what people try to make you. Whoever you are, whoever you love, whatever you do, you can be successful.
The Knockturnal: What motivated your desire to enter the hair care space?
Jesseca Harris- Dupart: I was a hairstylist for over 20 years and one of my clients cheated on me and went to another hairstylist. She ended up having a bald spot in the center of her head from a ponytail install and bobby pins. It made me want to find a solution; I wanted to be able to fix this. From then on, I started exploring what that would look like. I started speaking to chemists and I never expected it to be from behind a chair, I never expected to retire. God just had a different story for me.
The Knockturnal: What are 2 of your best selling products from the Kaleidoscope Hair Product line?
Jesseca Harris- Dupart: Currently, it would be the Original Miracle Drops which is a light hair treatment and the Pecan Pie Growth Booster Oil. Both products are our top growth boosting agents.
After declaring the Guinness World Record title, Jesseca and leaders from Harlem Pride spoke to the impact this donation will have in the community, followed by a surprise performance from Jesseca’s new wife, Atlanta hip-hop legend Da Brat.
Actor Robert Ri’chard is starring in Amazon/ NBC Universal’s hit show “Harlem” that is produced by Tracey Oliver, Amy Poehler, and Pharrell Williams. Ri’chard is best known for the American sitcom “One on One,” starring as Arnaz with co-star Kyla Pratt. The show is still popular today and Ri’chard informs viewers that the character Arnaz shows people that they cannot be put in traditional boxes despite how they may look, or carry themselves.
