Society Pages - Nikkia McDonald

Name: Nikkia M. McDonald

What companies have you worked for? The L’Oreal Ethnic Institute and Universal Beauty Products.

How long have you been involved with the SCC? I’ve been a member of the SCC since April 2007 and became active in the local chapter in August 2007 as the newsletter editor.

Why do you think SCC membership is important? Membership is important for recruiting younger chemists to further the research in this industry. It also allows for partnerships between research institutions and personal care companies to flourish while helping consumers define true standards of beauty and attain optimal health and wellness.

What is your favorite SCC moment (function, event, talk or other)? I enjoyed both our local chapter’s tech symposium meeting and supplier’s day held in NJ this year. The tech meetings are good because I like staying informed and you learn about new technologies, business mergers and regulatory mandates. Supplier’s day is even better because you meet new people and get lots of cool, free stuff. My best freebie this year was an airbrushed butterfly tattooed on my leg courtesy of Sensient.

Where have you lived? Champaign, IL, Evanston, IL, Chicago, IL, Aurora, IL and Atlanta, GA

Tell us about your hobbies or leisure activities: My hobbies include running, creative writing and contributing to CHIKE, an online beauty guide I launched in October 2007. (www.chikebeauty.com)

Any pets? Yep. A chihuahua named Sugar. After spending a day at doggy day care I learned she doesn’t play well with others. I had absolutely nothing to do with this.

MY FAVORITES....
Vacation spot?
Morocco, Africa. To experience first hand my ancestral heritage and culture.
Restaurant? Home Run Inn Pizza. The homemade butter crust is to die for.
Book? The Catcher in The Rye. I didn’t understand the main character Holden Caulfield when I read the book in highschool. Re-reading it as an adult lends a different perspective to his sarcasm, cynicism and loneliness.
Movie? My favorite movie was Match Point with Scarlett Johannson until I saw Denzel Washington’s performance in The Great Debaters. Both of these films are far removed from the typical films we’re used to seeing. Honorable mention to George Clooney for Good Night, Good Luck.
Sports team? The N.E. Patriots – Tom Brady and Randy Moss are the new Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Unstoppable.
Ideal weekend? Getting my hair braided at my sister’s home playing with my younger cousins eating ice cream and watching Chappelle’s Show on DVD.
Time of year/season? Summer – Love the sunshine and warm weather. I am an August baby.
Holiday? My birthday. That counts right?
Celebrity? NAS, Kobe Bryant, John Mayer, Kanye West, Michael Eric Dyson and Nia Long. At times I wish I had just a little of the talent, brilliance, courage, insight and beauty that they possess.
Radio host or TV show? Family Guy. Peter is funny but Stewie is the shining star.

INISIGHTS...
As a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? A lawyer. If you speak with those closest to me they’d say I’m already a lawyer - I just bypassed law school though I have yet to pass the bar.
What are you most grateful for in life? The desire to always want to be better than what I am.