MEET THE RECIPIENTS OF THE TRESEMMÉ FUTURE STYLISTS FUND
We’re thrilled to announce the third annual class of the TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund!
In September 2020, we launched the TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund, a $100,000 initiative to help increase representation in the professional beauty industry. This program was created to offset the cost of tuition for Black women interested in becoming hair professionals through accredited cosmetology programs, industry exposure, and mentorship from our network of TRESemmé stylists.
To help review applications, we partnered with a powerhouse group of women leaders in the beauty and fashion industry who are known champions of advancing women, and vocal advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion. Ahead of Fashion Week 2023, these visionaries helped us determined the 10 recipients of a $10,000 scholarship, respectively to go towards the cosmetology school of their choice.
Ready to meet our TRESemmé Future Stylists of 2023?!
Daisha "Daizy" Torain is a creative hairstylist specializing in hair art and sculptures. Her secondary specialties include loc care, styling, and maintenance, as well as vivid fantasy colors. She has always been captivated by hair, even from a young age. It has never been "just hair" to her; it has always been a means of expression and a creative outlet. Daisha cultivated her skill and passion for hair by taking on clients, producing her first hair show, and working on creative projects.
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
School: Paul Mitchell The School
Instagram Handle: @stylesfordaiz
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? I decided to pursue a career in the hair industry because it allows me to create a living by doing something that brings me immense joy. Every day, I am able to use my hands to manifest thoughts into reality and make others feel good about themselves.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? The part of hairstyling that I enjoy the most is the before and after, experiencing the different ways in which I can reinvent, create, and express myself.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I specialize in creative editorial hair art, locs and fantasy colors.
Devorah Price, also known as the Silk Press Princess, is a hair stylist located in Brooklyn, NY. She has a profound passion for straightening natural hair. Devorah has been in the hair industry since 2018, and her ultimate aspiration is to establish a natural hair salon that celebrates and embraces the beauty of natural hair.
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
School: Enrolling Fall 2023
Instagram Handle: @silkpress.princess
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? After having a hard time finding a stylist who could straighten my natural hair without suggesting the use of chemicals for optimal results, I made the decision to learn how to silk press my own hair. I desired the ability to enjoy versatility without permanently changing my curl pattern. Consequently, I successfully taught myself this technique, which enabled me to establish my own business in 2018. Since then, I have been providing services to clients who have had similar experiences to mine.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? I love working with different hair lengths, textures, colors, and densities. Natural hair is so beautiful, and I truly enjoy seeing the satisfaction on my clients' faces once they see how versatile their hair can be without using any chemicals.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I specialize in silk presses on natural hair.
Diamond Williams is an aspiring hair stylist and makeup artist located in Bronx, NY. She is determined to change the world as we know it through her technique. Diamond enjoys working with a variety of textures to produce unique hair art.
Hometown: Bronx, NY
School: Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
Instagram Handle: @The_diamondexperience
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? Growing up, having my hair styled by my mother was the highlight of my mornings. She made it her mission to remind me of how beautiful I was, regardless of what the world thought. She expressed this not only through her kind words but also through hair styling. It was then that I vowed to share that same experience with others through hair. I wanted everyone to feel that love. Since then, I haven't put down the comb.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? What I enjoy most is working with a variety of textures, each of which produces different aspects of artistry. Each texture is beautifully designed in its own unique way. However, through the art of styling, hair is able to take on so many unique forms. Styling is abstract and, in my opinion, the best form of art.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I personally have a love for all different forms of styling; however, at the moment, extensions are my area of expertise.
Rose Fellows is a current cosmetology student who will be completing her program in June of 2023. Her goal after obtaining her license is to specialize in color, cutting, and nails. In the long term, Rose aspires to own her own full-service salon. Her passion lies within the beauty industry, and she is incredibly enthusiastic about commencing her journey in this new career.
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
School: Baltimore Beauty and Barber School
Instagram Handle: @Braidsbylailarose
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? What honestly inspired me to pursue a career in hairstyling was my mom. I distinctly remember accompanying her to the hairdresser when I was five years old, and I was utterly mesmerized by everything I saw. That experience stayed with me and ultimately ignited my passion for hairstyling.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? The aspect of hair styling that I enjoy the most is the whole process of it, including seeing the final results and, most importantly, observing how happy the client is with the final look. That truly warms my heart.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I have multiple areas of expertise. However, I have been a braider since I was 12 years old, so braiding comes naturally to me. Additionally, I enjoy doing silk presses, cutting, and color.
Ja'Cinta Williams, a 22-year-old hairstylist hailing from Phoenix, AZ, began experimenting with her own hair back in 2019. Initially, it was just a pastime, but she soon discovered her genuine passion for hairstyling. Taking her passion to the next level, she enrolled in Empire Beauty School, dedicating 11 months of her life to acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge, ultimately earning her cosmetology license. Currently, Ja'Cinta is thriving with a fully booked schedule and an eagerness to witness her cosmetology career flourish.
Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: Empire Beauty School In Avondale
Instagram Handle: @Cintas_Glamorous_Wigs
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? Hair brings me so much peace and confirmation. When I am with my clients in that moment, sitting in the chair, all my worries vanish, and my entire focus is dedicated to ensuring that they leave with a flawless experience. I often watch TikTok, observing the girls executing various styles, which motivates me to do the same. I aspire to inspire others and demonstrate that they too can achieve those styles.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? What I love most about hair is the creativity that can be expressed through it. You can literally create anything using hair, and no one will even notice. I also enjoy the challenges that come with styling hair. Sometimes my clients present me with the most difficult styles to accomplish, but I always manage to get them right. Regardless of how long it takes me, I will not stop until my client is satisfied. Each challenge I face helps me advance in my career and cater to different clients in the world. Without my clients, I wouldn't be the person I am today.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? My area of expertise is extensions. I love doing wig installs, ponytails, and sew-ins. Anything dealing with extensions is fun because you can do all types of crazy things with your hair, and your real hair is in a protective style underneath. You can color, cut, style, updo, bridal styles—anything you want, you can get it.
Jasmyne Garnett, a hairstylist originally from Indianapolis, Indiana but now residing in Los Angeles, CA, discovered her passion for hair at a young age. With bravery and ambition, she earned a bachelor's degree in Finance from Central State University before pursuing her dream at Paul Mitchell for cosmetology. Jasmyne's love for creating unique styles and bringing others' visions to life fuels her purpose of serving others. Specializing in styling, cutting, and weaving with extensions and wigs, she aims to enter the entertainment industry, including events like Paris Fashion Week, the Met Gala, films, music videos, and editorial fashion designs.
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
School: Paul Mitchell The School, Sherman Oaks
Instagram Handle: @jglams_
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? My inspiration for becoming a hairstylist was the knowledge that I could make someone's day and help them feel good about themselves. Additionally, my family serves as a source of inspiration, as I know that my current choices can positively impact our lives.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? The thing I enjoy the most about styling is the ability to create looks while stepping outside of my comfort zone.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I specialize in constructing wigs, styling hair, and maintaining the integrity of natural hair.
Kiara Hargress is a cosmetology student at Aveda Arts and Science Institute poised to make her mark in the beauty industry. Despite not initially having a childhood passion for the beauty industry, Kiara feels fortunate to have discovered her gift and the chance to delve into this field. She finds joy in various aspects of hairstyling, such as cuts, color, and creating voluminous curls. Kiara's expertise lies in blowouts, as she appreciates the endless possibilities that can be achieved.
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
School: Aveda Arts and Sciences Institute
Instagram Handle: @wonderfullymade_kh
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? I actually didn't grow up with a passion for the beauty industry, but I was lucky to have found this gift and the opportunity to explore it.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? When it comes to hairstyle, I enjoy everything: cuts, color, and big curls!
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I specialize in blowouts. Oh, the wonders you can achieve with a round brush and a blow dryer.
Quinetta Wilmington, a professional hair artist currently residing in Los Angeles, CA, has displayed a natural talent for hair since a young age. Over the years, she has continuously created diverse hairstyles, constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with hair and extensions. After obtaining her degree in Nursing and enjoying a successful decade as a professional dancer, Quinetta is now fully committed to embarking on a career in the hair industry. She is currently completing her education at Paul Mitchell The School to obtain her license in Cosmetology.
Hometown: North Philadelphia, PA
School: Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks, CA
Instagram Handle: @qrwnxquinetta
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? I love knowing that my creative artwork, expressed through hair, can make people feel their best from the inside out. Another inspiration that I have recently discovered is the desire for a more diverse representation of hair artists in the industry/beauty business. I have been the client in the chair, feeling super uncomfortable knowing that the stylist was afraid of my hair and/or had a lack of knowledge on how to style it properly. I would love to be a part of changing that narrative and experience for others.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? The aspect of hair styling that I enjoy the most is the actual process. Using my knowledge and creativity combined to figure out how to reach the hair goals of my clients is so rewarding, especially when the end goal is exactly what we hoped for or close to it.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I have expertise in natural hair care, protective and unique stylings, and I am also working on mastering cutting and coloring.
Cosmetology is more than beauty deep for Taylor Miller; it is a way to connect to her culture and express creativity. During her time at Spelman College, many of Taylor's most meaningful connections blossomed while styling someone's hair during study sessions with friends. It was in those moments that Taylor realized the significance of hairstyling and felt drawn to pursue a career in cosmetology. She is currently enrolled at Tucker’s Beauty College.
Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: Tucker’s Beauty College
Instagram Handle: @the_physics_of_beauty
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? I am inspired to pursue an industry where I can be creative, scientific, and connected to my community.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? I enjoy the caring aspect most in hairstyling. When someone looks to me to nurture their hair, the connection I make with clients is like no other.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? At this time, I do not possess expertise in hair braiding and coloring, but I hope that one day it will become my area of specialization.
Trinisha Shorty is a 28-year-old hairstylist and mother residing in Grand Prairie, TX. Trinisha has a deep passion for everything related to fashion, cosmetics, and aesthetics. Her favorite activity is beautifying herself and others. Her long-term goal is to become a salon suite owner with her own line of products and hot tools.
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
School: OGLE Cosmetology School Hurst, TX
Instagram Handle: @thehairchemist__
What inspired you to pursue a career in hair styling? I've always had a talent for styling hair, and with the world changing in the ways that it is, I figured that being my own boss would work best for me.
What aspect of hair styling do you enjoy the most? The aspect of hairstyling I enjoy the most are natural hair care services such as hair treatments, silk presses, and coloring services.
Do you have a specific area of expertise? I specialize in braiding and hair extensions.
Every woman, regardless of hair type, deserves to have access and feel confident that they will receive quality hair care at every appointment—and unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
In 2020, TRESemmé conducted two national studies on hair biases and uncovered that stylists lack education and training when it comes to styling and caring for textured, curly, and coily hair types.
This has led to an overwhelming number of Black women (86%) who have reported challenges when it comes to consistent, quality haircare at salons, including difficulty finding a stylist who could care for their type/texture of hair and even outright discrimination or bias due to their hair type. 1 Surveyed stylists agree that education is the top growth driver that would help them advance in their career (40%) and three in four stylists (75%) wish they had more training in how to style Black hair.2
Through the Future Stylists Fund, it’s our goal to support the education, training and development of burgeoning hair professionals, while also investing in representation of Black female stylists.
Follow along with news and updates from our TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund journey by following @tresemme on Instagram.
1 Results are based on a survey of 1000 Black women (ages 18+) in the United States. KRC Research fielded the survey from October 15 through 22, 2020.
2 Results are based on a survey of 500 professional hair stylists who serve at least 50% women in the United States. KRC Research fielded the survey from October 15 through 27, 2020.