Butler, a 2009 graduate of the School of Business and Industry (SBI) with a bachelor’s degree in business finance, is an inspiring figure in the world of entrepreneurship and beauty. After working as a licensed stockbroker on Wall Street, Butler founded The Lip Bar beauty brand in her kitchen, driven by a desire to challenge the toxic and limited beauty industry. Her journey from the financial district to the beauty world has been marked by innovation, integrity, and passion.
Butler's appearance on "Shark Tank" and subsequent rejection only fueled her determination to make her dream a reality. Since then, The Lip Bar has grown from a vegan lipstick brand to a pioneer in beauty and inclusion, offering a range of products designed to empower women of all ages, races, and body types. The brand has been featured in numerous prestigious publications, including Forbes, Fast Company, and Essence.
FAMU President Larry Robinson, expressed his excitement about Butler's upcoming speech, stating, "We are eagerly anticipating hearing from alumna Butler. Her personal story of entrepreneurship and perseverance serves as an inspiration to all Rattlers and is a reminder that you can get anywhere from FAMU."
Butler is equally honored and humbled to be chosen as the commencement speaker. "I am both honored and humbled to speak at the Summer commencement," she said. "FAMU gave me the aptitude to succeed, and it is my intention to pour into the next generation of leaders in the same way FAMU and its industrious alumni have poured into me."
The Lip Bar, Inc., is the largest Black-owned makeup company in Target Stores. Butler, in a sense, has become sort of a modern day Madam C.J. Walker inspiring a new generation of Black entrepreneurs in the beauty industry.
The FAMU Summer Commencement ceremony is open to the public, and no tickets are required. However, the clear bag policy will be enforced at the event. Parking is available at the Bragg Memorial Stadium parking lot, with shuttle service provided by The Venom beginning two hours before the ceremony and continuing up to two hours afterward.
As FAMU prepares to celebrate its graduates, the university community looks forward to hearing Melissa Butler's inspiring message of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and the power of creating change.