Resources For Learning About Textured Haircare
Keya Neal's organization is dedicated to helping people understand that hair is a fabric and not a race, and to deconstructing biases and stereotypes surrounding curly, coily, natural hair through exposure and education.
They host town hall events as well as education summits and also tons of online education in hair cutting, styling, coloring techniques, and well as anti-racism work.
I've taken several Keya's classes and loved each of them, I also participated in the virtual version of the 2020 Texture Vs Race Summit, and learned a ton! Keya fosters a safe space for real talk and a community of open-minded folx
Corinthian is probably my favorite educator on this list, she has a free YouTube channel, and also easy to access online education with digital workbooks and progress trackers.
Her Texture on Texture Styling course comes with a textured hair mannequin called Adah and is the only place I have been able to find a truly textured hair mannequin online. I looked like crazy a few years back and only found mannequins with curly perms on smooth textured hair. However, I think Pivot Point has since released a whole series of textured hair mannequins which is great.
Corinthian is a beauty school owner and educator so her courses are easy to follow and really well designed. They are also incredibly reasonably priced.
Cut it Kinky is tight-curl education that comes in the form of a hybrid digital class and hands-on immersive workshop for those desiring to become curl specialists.
They also have a just-released Tight Curl Manual called Product, Process, & Culture: The Tight Curl Manual by Cut It Kinky that features the fundamental processes and methodologies of Cut It Kinky in-person basic education in written, photo, and video format for those who are just getting started on tight curl education
Or, you can book private in-person education for your salon on their website
The educators behind Cut It Kinky are also authors of another awesome resource called Wash Your Damn Hair. Wash your Damn Hair is a product and styling guide and companion to their consumer site called @IAmBlackGirlCurls. Combined, the two are a beginner-friendly resource for textured hair consumers wanting to learn how to master a signature style and/or how to best use hair products currently available on the market.
These are meant for natural and tightly curled hair consumers, but I have learned and un-learned a TON from reading through the e-book.
Black Beauty Roster is a collective focused on amplifying the work of Black beauty artists in TV, Film & Editorial. They welcome allies of all races.
BBR is a Diversity and Inclusion platform that connects the TV and Film, Fashion, Commercial, and Beauty industries with diverse beauty professionals while also providing education to the broader industry so that beauty professionals can work with all textures and complexions.
They have a free class on their education page, as well as further classes if you sign up.
You should also watch the TV series The Hair Tales on Hulu or Own, The Hair Tales is a docuseries about Black women, beauty, and identity through the distinctive lens of Black hair. It is produced by Tracee Ellis Ross and Michaela Angela Davis and features stories from Oprah Winfrey, Issa Rae, Chlöe Bailey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Marsai Martin, and Chika.
Be sure, if you haven't already, to check out the work that @TheCrownAct is doing for the advancement of anti-discrimination legislation across the United States, and in elevating the public narrative around hair bias and discrimination.