Black Performers Speak Up About Hair Education & Inclusivity

SAG-AFTRA National Board members Jason George (Station 19) and Michelle Hurd (Star Trek: Picard) were speakers at the Inclusivity in Cosmetology Education panel in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 11.

The panel, hosted by U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D–N.Y., brought together cosmetologists and public figures to discuss the lack of textured hair education and its negative impact on hair artists and consumers. Other panelists included Youma’s Beauty Founder Youma Niangadou and Thrive Hair Bar owner, founder and Chief Executive Officer Aija Minnis Cruz Lanham.

Panelists also talked about the importance of the Texture Positive Act of 2024. Introduced by Velázquez and U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell, D–Ala.; Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D–Fla.; and Yvette Diane Clarke, D–N.Y., the bill was created to incentivize educational training in cosmetology towards textured hair. Its goals are to educate hair stylists about diverse hair types and enable them to better service clients across a multitude of industries, including entertainment.

SAG-AFTRA supports the Texture Positive Act and its expanding educational training for cosmetologists to include textured hairstyles.

Photo: SAG-AFTRA National Board members Michelle Hurd and Jason George at the “Inclusivity in Cosmetology Education” panel in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 11.