MEET THE RECIPIENTS OF THE TRESEMMÉ FUTURE STYLISTS FUND

We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural 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 2021, 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 2021?!

Agnes B., Takoma Park, MD

Agnes is a hair braider and associate scientist. She is eager to bridge the gap between science and her passion for the beauty industry in hopes of providing more options for women of color.

Aishat A., Aurora, CO

Making people feel beautiful and confident is Aishat’s ultimate passion and goal. She plans to open her own salon and launch a collection of hair products one day.

Ariana G., Crofton, MD

Ariana is a cosmetology student who is passionate about teaching proper haircare and its relation to confidence and mental health. She loves hairstyling because it’s artistic and community-oriented.

Arkeeshia N., Austin, TX

Arkeeshia is an aspiring cosmetology student who “eat, sleeps, and breathes” hair. She is passionate about hairstyling and excited to embark on her professional hair journey.

Ayanna W., Louisville, KY

Ayanna is a cosmetology student currently attending the Chenoweth Empire Beauty School. She is looking forward to opening her own salon in the future and becoming a master stylist.

Davanay E., Lauderhill, FL

As an aspiring textured hair expert from Jamaica, Davanay’s dream is to help black women and women of color with their hair.

Khadijatu D., Philadelphia, PA

Khadijatu is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in weaves, braids, ponytails and tender loving care. Her brand, TU NATURAL, gives women the confidence to embrace their natural beauty and try new things.

Kopper W., Columbus, GA

Kopper left the corporate world behind to follow her dream of becoming a professional hair stylist. Her go-to motto is: “I speak hair, English is just my second language.”

Oluchi E., Houston, TX

As a hairstylist and hair artist, Oluchi loves to create artistic hairstyles and explore the stories that can be told through hair. She is inspired by the beautiful and intricate styles she saw while growing up in Nigeria.

Stephanie Q., Brooklyn, NY

Stephanie has been in the beauty industry for 14 years and it is her greatest love and passion. She loves providing customers with the “perfect finish” and is looking forward to helping more women feel and look beautiful.

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.