Deirdre Roberson, Founder of EUMELANIN & Cofounder of The Lab Drawer & Motor City STEAM Foundation

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Deirdre Roberson, Founder of EUMELANIN & Cofounder of The Lab Drawer & Motor City STEAM Foundation

Deirdre Roberson, MS, is a Detroit native designer and Chemist. As the Founder and CEO of EUMELANIN, she infuses science into her fashion brand by using the chemical structure and pigments of Melanin as the central focus of her designs. From a young age, Deirdre honed her sewing and design skills under the guidance of her grandmother. Although she pursued chemistry, earning both a bachelor's and master's degree, her creative side yearned for full expression. In 2018, the convergence of her scientific and artistic passions led her to launch EUMELANIN, named after the specific type of melanin responsible for the beautiful black and brown hues in skin and hair.

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EUMELANIN was created with a global vision to celebrate and empower black and brown individuals, tackle colorism, challenge conventional beauty standards, and foster the appreciation of all skin tones as beautiful. Deirdre's significant achievement includes owning the trademark for the chemical structure of melanin. EUMELANIN gained widespread recognition through a national MasterCard commercial aired during the 2021 Grammys and on major networks. In 2021, Deirdre delivered a powerful TEDx Talk titled "Fighting Colorism with Fashion," and in 2022, her luxury handbag collection for EUMELANIN went viral.
 
Deirdre firmly believes that her background in STEM provides her with a unique perspective within the fashion industry. She recognizes the transformative potential of combining STEM and art, unlocking endless possibilities. It is her mission to ensure that more black and brown students have access to quality STEAM education.
 
In addition to EUMELANIN, Deirdre is the Co-founder of The Lab Drawer, an Ed-Tech STEAM company dedicated to providing black and brown youth globally with comprehensive STEAM education. She is also a Co-founder of Motor City STEAM Foundation, a Detroit-based nonprofit organization that empowers youth in Detroit and Highland Park by offering accessible STEAM educational experiences.
 
Deirdre's passion to merge scientific expertise with creative solutions is evident in her work with EUMELANIN, The Lab Drawer, and Motor City STEAM Foundation. Through these endeavors, she strives to make a lasting impact and shape a future where innovation and inclusivity thrive.