8th Annual Business to Business Exchange, Madame C. J. Walker Award Honoree - Vera Moore, President and CEO, Vera Moore Cosmetics

Vera Moore is President and CEO of a highly competitive business, Vera Moore Cosmetics. She has national recognition as one of the first black actresses to be contracted on a national television show when she portrayed “Linda” on the soap opera Another World for 12 years. She also holds many credits for other television programs and Broadway shows including the Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical “Purlie Victorious.” Vera realized the need to fill the void for quality products for women of color as a result of this national exposure, specifically a natural looking foundation that didn’t rub off on your clothes or his… at the mere touch. This gave birth to Vera Moore Cosmetics, a family owned business.

Ms. Moore believes that “our universal objective as people of color should no longer be merely to aim but to Hit Our Target!” Vera Moore Cosmetics started locally in New York and initially sold through hair salons. As interest in her product grew, she began widespread distribution to boutiques and other retail outlets throughout the US and international markets. One of her dreams became a reality when she broke the barrier in one of the major malls in the US. Vera was the first Black tenant in the 40-year history of the Green Acres Mall. Her ultimate satisfaction was realized by affording her the opportunity of economic empowerment in her own backyard and community. Ms. Moore was born in Queens, attended Hunter College and received a 4-year scholarship to Sadisbury Academy of Music. She is co –founder and Vice Chair of Black Woman Enterprises, (BWE) a Board Member of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (CACCI) a Charter Member of the National Association of Woman Business Owners (NAWBO) Board Member of the American Women’s Economic Development (AWED) Vera has received numerous honors, awards and citations in recognition for her many achievements and dedicated service to the community including, the 1982 Distributor’s Award – Black Hair Olympics and the Wilfred Beauty Academy Business Award, the Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women’s Entrepreneur of the Year, the 1986 HB Business Award, London England; the 1990 Green Acres Mall Certificate of Excellent, The Town of Hempstead’s 1991 Pathfinder Award in Business, the 1994 Woman of the Year Award from the State Beauty Culturist Association of NY, the 1995 Outstanding achievement as an actress/pioneer from One Hundred Black Men Nassau/ Suffolk, Inc. The Long Island Association 1995 United States SBA Minority Advocate Award, the 1996 Business Woman of the Year from the Nassau Council Chamber of Commerce, the 1996 March of Dimes, Woman of Distinction Award, the 1998 African-American Award for Excellence from Governor George E. Pataki. An historical first, in 2002 Vera became the first woman Vice Chair in the 31-year history of (NMBC) the National Minority Business Council and founded the (NMBC) Women’s Business Committee, of which she is Chair. In 2004, Vera was appointed Board Members of the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls, the Advisory Board of the Coalition of 100 Black Women and the recipient of the Success Stories Award from Volvo Cars of North America. Vera is also one of ten featured in Black Enterprise’s Book Collection- “Against All Odds”

Currently Vera’s column “Skin Deep & Moore” can be read in major beauty magazines. Vera has a licensing agreements in Kings Plaza Mall, Brooklyn, NY Queens Center Mall, Manhattan Mall, NY as well as celebrating 27 years in her flagship store in Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream Long Island, NY. Vera just opened her new location in Harlem at Nubian Heritage at 5th and 125 Street, NYC.