Class Note 1991
Issue
May-June 2026
Class Note 1991. Hello, fellow ’91s!
Recently featured in The New York TimesMark Makers series, Esi Eggleston Bracey shared how a deeply personal decision in 1995 became the foundation of her leadership philosophy. When she traded her corporate bob for a short natural Afro, she finally recognized herself in the mirror. “I got a little pep to my Esi step,” she said—and that moment of authenticity became her lifelong superpower.
After studying engineering and premed at Dartmouth, Esi rose through the consumer products world by pairing rigorous data with sharp instinct, ultimately helping create a billion-dollar fabric-freshening product. Along the way, she learned that her instincts were “reflective of others”—and proved it in her next job with the company by boldly partnering with an award-winning celebrity rapper, demonstrating that true representation doesn’t just resonate, it also drives results.
Now at Unilever, where she leads Dove, Esi has helped co-create the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to end hair discrimination, contributing to its passage in 28 states and more than 50 municipalities. On a global scale, she’s reshaping marketing across 190 countries by centering real human emotions—pleasure, trust, and belonging. As she puts it, “Our most powerful advantage is our ability to be more human.”
Her message is as clear as it is powerful: “Do you. It’s your superpower. No one can do you better than you.” Esi’s journey is a reminder that authenticity isn’t just personal—it’s also transformational. Proud of you, Esi—keep shining!
As for the rest of you—please send in those updates.
—Tracey Cushing Gilliam, P.O. Box 131, Manchester, VT 05254, (917) 951-1472, tragilliam1@gmail.com
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More of 1991 Class Notes
Recently featured in The New York TimesMark Makers series, Esi Eggleston Bracey shared how a deeply personal decision in 1995 became the foundation of her leadership philosophy. When she traded her corporate bob for a short natural Afro, she finally recognized herself in the mirror. “I got a little pep to my Esi step,” she said—and that moment of authenticity became her lifelong superpower.
After studying engineering and premed at Dartmouth, Esi rose through the consumer products world by pairing rigorous data with sharp instinct, ultimately helping create a billion-dollar fabric-freshening product. Along the way, she learned that her instincts were “reflective of others”—and proved it in her next job with the company by boldly partnering with an award-winning celebrity rapper, demonstrating that true representation doesn’t just resonate, it also drives results.
Now at Unilever, where she leads Dove, Esi has helped co-create the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to end hair discrimination, contributing to its passage in 28 states and more than 50 municipalities. On a global scale, she’s reshaping marketing across 190 countries by centering real human emotions—pleasure, trust, and belonging. As she puts it, “Our most powerful advantage is our ability to be more human.”
Her message is as clear as it is powerful: “Do you. It’s your superpower. No one can do you better than you.” Esi’s journey is a reminder that authenticity isn’t just personal—it’s also transformational. Proud of you, Esi—keep shining!
As for the rest of you—please send in those updates.
—Tracey Cushing Gilliam, P.O. Box 131, Manchester, VT 05254, (917) 951-1472, tragilliam1@gmail.com