Polished, But Not Perfect: Lipstick, Therapy, and the Truth About Healing with Dawn Payne

Let's be friends!Dawn Payne earned her BA in Sociology from Winston Salem State University in 2007. She went further and received her master’s degree from UNCG and the NC A&T Joint Master of Social Worker program in 2009. While enrolled at WSSU as a freshman she was called to active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dawn is highly decorated and has received numerous Marine Corps Awards. She served from 2001-2009. After serving the remainder of her time in the reserves, she pursued a career in mental health and became a licensed psychotherapist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs where she is currently employed. It was Dawn’s military connections that placed her in the world of beauty and on the set of movies as a makeup artist. Dawn believes in the power of entrepreneurship and owns a vegan cosmetic line Dusk to Dawn Cosmetics. Her studio is located in the heart of downtown Greensboro where she passionately gives back to the breast cancer community and provides mentorship to young women. She is a celebrated New York Fashion Week makeup artist with many features and publications.  In addition to her community work with the Marine Corps League Dawn stays active in professional organizations and provides free psychotherapy groups to underserved communities of color. Dawn is active with many Veterans service organizations most notably the National Veterans Justice network. Her passion for beautifying people both inside and out always shines through. Dawn is the embodiment of WSSU’s Enter to Learn Depart to Serve motto. http://dusktodawncosmetics.com/