Eunice Cofie; Founder of Neukie

Tell me about your background and education?

I am born of Ghanaian heritage and based in Florida. I have always been interested in science ever since my father exposed me to it as a little girl. He would spend countless hours with me creating science experiments. He helped me to enter my first science fair. I attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and completed a degree in Chemistry/Molecular Biology. I am the former Miss Black Florida and spent my year traveling the state promoting childhood obesity prevention. I am also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. I also completed an executive education program at Harvard in Global Leadership and Public Policy.

When did you first start to get an interest in product development for ethnic skin?

I got interested in cosmetic science when during my organic chemistry lab class at FAMU. My professor decided to teach us how to make hair relaxers and lotions so that we could understand organic chemistry better. I became so intrigued by it. So I began doing research with my professor on cosmetic science and learned so much from him about product development. It was there that I learned about the needs for ethnic skin.

What are the specific challenges to ethnic skin care that are currently not being addressed by theconventional skin care products?

Some of the challenges in ethnic skin care are addressing skin disorders such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, pseudofolliculitis barbae, melasma, and hair loss. Ethnic skin has a unique structure and function to it. Those with ethnic skin are people of African, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Pacific Islander background. They tend to have a darker hue in comparison to Caucasian skin because of their large melanocytes and the large fiber cells contribute to the youthfulness of ethnic skin. Therefore formulation of products to treat ethnic skin diseases requires a unique approach.

What inspired you to form Nuekie?

I was inspired to form Nuekie because I noticed during my research that there were very few companies dedicated to the research and development of ethnic skin care products. I also saw how impactful the usage of Traditional African Medicine and modern cosmetic science could ethnic skin conditions. I wanted to meet a need in the market by creating quality, high performance products which too into consideration the unique structure and function of ethnic skin.

What are the future directions in which you would like to take Nuekie?

I plan to add more products to our current line. We will also expand into pharmaceuticals that specifically developed to treat for ethnic skin disorders.

Tell me about your experience of being named the 2012 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum?

My experience with being a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum has be amazing. It has opened so many opportunities for me to meet and collaborate with other young leaders from around the world. It has also provided me with the opportunity to attend Harvard Kennedy School of Government to receive global leadership training with other Young Global Leaders. In that program, I learned a lot about myself as a leader, my place in the global ecosystem, and discovered the areas of much needed impact.

What is your own skin care regimen?

For my morning and night skin care regimen, I use Nuekie Pre-Cleanser to wash my face and I moisturize my face with the Nuekie Moisture Therapy Crème. I also wear my sunscreen to protect my skin from the UVA/ UVB rays.

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About Eunice Cofie

Cosmetic Chemist. Entrepreneur. Innovator. Scholar. Often noted as the modern-day, Madame C.J. Walker, Eunice Cofie is also making great strides in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. With her entrepreneurial spirit and her passion to create beauty products, she is the President and Chief Cosmetic Chemist of Nuekie. Nuekie provides innovative dermatological products for women and men with skin of color. In 2013, her company was name Start-up Company of the Year by the Tallahassee Chamber of Eunice is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry/molecular biology and completed the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Global Leadership and Public Policy Executive Education program. Her deep commitment to social causes worldwide has led her to make a positive impact across the globe, specifically in Ghana and the Philippines. While in college, Eunice spent her summers working in a village community in Ghana, West Africa implementing the Save a Million Lives HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program. As the former Miss Black Florida USA, she spent a year promoting her platform Preventing Childhood Obesity and Diabetes through Education and Life Transforming Habits. She was able to contribute greatly to her community by inspiring young people to live healthy Eunice was honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader in 2012 for her professional accomplishments and commitment to society, as well as her potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world by providing inspiring leadership. Forbes named Eunice as one of the 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. She was featured in the 2012 Tallahassee Community College Cherry Alexander African-American Calendar. She was also awarded the 2012 Golden A.C.E. Award in Science and Technology. The Florida Commission on the Status of Women recognized Eunice with the prestigious 2011 Florida Achievement Award for her commitment to improving the lives of women and families in her community. In 2008, Eunice was named by the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper as one of the “25 Women You Need to Know in Tallahassee”. She has been featured in noteworthy publications such as the Forbes, Scientific American, Florida Trend Magazine, Tallahassee Magazine, South Florida Times, South Florida Gazette, The Florida Courier and Onyx Magazine and she has also appeared on CBS and ABC affiliates, and Ghana Television. She currently serves on the board of directors for DGI Inspired Foundation and is a member of the Leadership Tallahassee Class 29.

Visit her online at www.eunicecofie.com or email info@eunicecofie.com