NYX Cosmetics to host first Metaverse Pride parade

Metaverse platform The Sandbox is collaborating with newly launched game platform, People of Crypto Lab (POC) and NYX Professional Makeup to create the first-ever diversity, equity, and inclusivity hub in the metaverse.

The new hub will launch 24 June 2022 during its Belonging Week event in The Sandbox to celebrate differences and reaffirming the importance of an equitable Web3.

POC said it aims to build a ‘cultureverse’ whilst investing in and amplifying creators and communities with diverse stories, teams, and projects that represent black and brown women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ creators, developers, and brands.

In a metaverse first, NYX Professional Makeup, will be the first cosmetics brand to integrate into The Sandbox and kick off a new wave of consumer onboarding and education in Web3 via #MetaPride.

To celebrate Pride Month, NYX Cosmetics and POC Lab will be dropping a non-binary NFT avatar collection which will incorporate over 36 skin shades, every ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identification.

The 8,430 avatar NFT drop, which will mint on 17 June, will represent the estimated 84.3% global majority population of communities of colour & LGBTQIA+. NYX Professional Makeup will be donating 100% of its proceeds from the sale of the avatar NFTs to the Los Angeles LGBT Centre, amounting to $50,000.

Akbar Hamid, POC Lab's co-Founder said: “Given the current climate of rising discrimination against LGBTQIA+ and other minorities, there has never been a more important time to build a safe space that welcomes all.

“As someone who has had to hide my real identity, I want to help build Web3 to allow marginalised communities to feel represented and not left behind. We are proud to have NYX Cosmetics as a partner that shares our mission.”

Sebastien Borget, COO and co-founder of The Sandbox added: “Our vision for The Sandbox metaverse is to create a continuous shared digital space where worlds and brands collide to make rainbow-coloured magic in which everyone is invited to participate, engage, create, and play.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential in a truly open metaverse. We’re proud to work with POC Lab to bring #MetaPride to life. Rather than replicating the biases and inequality of the real world, the metaverse must break barriers and forge an inclusive, welcoming global community.”