Kenya Hunt
Kenya Hunt is a seasoned marketing leader and a fractional beauty marketing consultant with over a decade of experience in product marketing, consumer engagement, and brand strategy. A Harvard MBA and Tuskegee University alumna, she has built her career at renowned global brands, including Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, and MAC Cosmetics, before founding her own independent brand marketing studio, Raphael Road. Today, she partners with entrepreneurs, founders, and creators to design scalable, results-driven marketing strategies that combine clarity, structure, and innovation.
Beyond her professional expertise, Kenya brings creativity and connection into her work through her bi-weekly Substack newsletter, which cleverly ties marketing insights to themes from the hit show The Office. Passionate about helping brands grow with integrity and vision, she leverages her background in strategic leadership to deliver tailored solutions that drive measurable impact.
Outside of her career, Kenya treasures her life with her husband of 11 years and their young child. She enjoys arts and crafts, reading, and writing—creative outlets that fuel both her personal fulfillment and professional storytelling. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and active in leadership development networks, Kenya embodies a blend of strategic expertise, mentorship, and authentic creativity that makes her a trusted voice in the world of brand marketing.
• Tuskegee University
• Harvard Business School- M.B.A
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my roots and my village, to the unwavering love and prayers of my family and friends. Nothing happens in isolation. Success, for me, has always been communal — the product of people who believed in me even when the industry didn’t.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Use your voice.” Early in my career, I thought being strategic meant staying quiet until I had the perfect answer. The best advice I got was to speak up sooner — to trust that my perspective had value in the room, even if it wasn’t wrapped in a 40-slide deck. That advice changed how I lead, how I consult, and how I write.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t confuse access with acceptance. Just because you’re “at the table” doesn’t mean the table was built for you — but that doesn’t make your perspective less valuable. Learn the rules, but don’t be afraid to rewrite them. And most importantly, invest in your own vision. A career is a paycheck; a vision is an inheritance.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the beauty industry right now is how to create brands that truly last in such a noisy and crowded space. The opportunity lies in cutting through the chaos with substance. The brands that will win aren’t the loudest; they’re the ones that know exactly what they stand for and create communities that feel both authentic and investable.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My brand marketing studio was founded on one belief. And that is that Black beauty consumers are not a niche: we are the driving force of the market. Our core values are integrity, imagination, equity, and community. Integrity because beauty routines and rituals are a part of culture, and culture is not a trend to exploit. Imagination, because strategy without creativity is just math homework. Equity because we believe Black founders and Black consumers are not exceptions—they are central to global markets. And community, because we are committed to nurturing a broader community where founders, investors, and consumers feel equipped and supported. Our legacy will be an ecosystem where Black-owned brands not only survive but dominate. These values guide everything I do, from boardroom strategy to bedtime stories with my son.