REFLECTION AND GRATITUDEAmy Shelley

Wow. Just, wow.

As I prepared to write this, I was reminded how quickly time can move.

At this time last year, there was a need and a concept. We knew from our community, our programming, and our industry that this was something they had been waiting for. So, what next? Andrea and I had only briefly met a few times, but something clicked, and it was inevitable that our work together would be able to rise to any challenge. As Andrea built content, we started working on the program details and “Texture with Confidence – Sharpening Skills in Hairstyling” was created.

Dates were set for the first group and the news began to spread. We had participants register that were apprentices at varying levels, stylists ranging in years of experience, and educational instructors in pursuit of professional development to bring back to their classrooms. The first group flew by and before we knew it, we were preparing for the next. From October 2022 – March 2023 there were 16 training sessions delivered to over 40 participants, multiple hair models, countless kilometers driven, and many bags of Werther’s Eclairs consumed. As Andrea led the training with her valuable experience and expertise, the program was enriched with an amazing group of industry experts. Participants became people who we saw every other weekend for multiple weeks. We shared the journey of learning with them and had the opportunity to witness moments of vulnerability, awareness, and accomplishments.

Now here I am – training complete and looking to what’s next – but I’m looking with a transformed perspective. Something is different in me. Is it because I was able to capture a glimpse of the hair-styling world in a way I have never seen it before? Is it because I realize there is so much more education required in this space and this is only the beginning? Is it because it led me to collaborate with a brilliant group of people - John, Aba, Paula, Rob, Spark, Steve, Taunya, and Marc - who gave extraordinary support on this journey? Is it because I met remarkable and passionate people - Andrea, D’antal, Eugenia, Munny, and Jay - who genuinely care about what they do and sharing their talent with the world?

Maybe, it’s actually because of it all.

Andrea, Efe Magazine and The Beauty of Inclusion have left a mark; and left me with something I will always want to be a part of. Something I take with me every day is this: There MUST be space for listening, learning, and conversation in the pursuit of sustained inclusion and belonging in our communities. It must be unwavering.

Finally, remember to lead with empathy and kindness in all you do.

We asked our students

 Why Texture with Confidence?

 What did you learn about yourself? What changed for you after taking the Texture with Confidence?

 What did you enjoy most about the class?

 Do you have more confidence with multiple textures? If yes, what was you aha moment? If No, what will you do to gain more confidence?

 What was your overall experience during Texture with Confidence?

 What are some highlights for you of the sessions?

Crystal Nobles

 There is a lack of education on textured hair. It's a ‘niche’ that isn't being tapped in Kingston and I want to be able to offer the best services that I can for ALL of my clients, both existing and future

 There is so much that I don't know. Not just about hair but also about the history, culture, and traditions associated with hair and styles. It was shocking.

 The open atmosphere and safe space provided to ask questions and actually get answers. Also, the ladies were great, really fun, and engaging.

 I am gaining more confidence with texture. I have the confidence to try now which I didn't have before. My ‘aha’ moment was actually in the early classes. I realized how much I didn't know or notice about the discrimination against the BIPOC community when it comes to not just hair but everything. It was eye-opening and disheartening. I cried.

 Overall, it was very positive. The learning activities were fun and inventive, and the course delivery was engaging. I am really hoping for a next level follow-up class.

 Learning how to differentiate the different texture numbers and levels. Also, how knowledgeable Andrea and Eugenia were when we asked different questions.

Jénn Merlo

 I wanted to gain more knowledge on textured hair. I was unhappy that I didn’t receive much instruction on how to cut and style many types of textured hair in the hairstyling college program, and also in the salon. It was a course that I couldn’t pass up!

 I learned that I knew more than I thought I did. This class made me want to keep expanding my knowledge and to keep practicing styling and cutting all textured hair types.

 I enjoyed the in-depth discussions that we had during the class. I also loved when the twist-out style was done on the model.

 Yes, I have more confidence with multiple textures now.

 It was a great experience, and I enjoyed all of the classes.

 I enjoyed when we had in-depth discussions, and when we got to get our hands on some textured mannequin hair.

Stephanie Van Belle

 I wanted to learn more about not only my own hair texture but textures that were a little bit more curly or kinky than mine, because growing up with curly hair is a difficult thing with both understanding how to work with it and knowing that straight hair is not the majority.

 This course gave me a better understanding of the different struggles people go through with their hair as well as greater insight into how few people understand how textured hair works. But I love that everyone was willing to learn and the amount of people in this course made me so happy.

 I enjoyed listening to both Andrea and Eugenia talk about their experiences while creating a safe space for people to understand and explore their questions and personal understanding of things.

 I absolutely have gained a lot more confidence with textures I am happy to say that I am more encouraged than ever to work on textures that are curlier than my 3C hair and I can't wait to share this with not only my coworkers but my community here in Kingston.

 It was a very open honest and fun experience to have.

 I think some of the highlights were getting to touch and feel different textures even if it was on synthetic hair and trying to tell without looking what kind of texture it was.