MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Angelina Liom isn’t a pro just yet, but her apprenticeship at A Natural Affair Salon puts her in the real work setting with real clients.
“You practice customer service with the client, also people skills,” said Liom.
The is the second step for Angelina and other students who went through months of training at Memphis’ first natural hair school that opened in January.
“So far we have a 100 percent pass rate on the theoretical portion,” said Tamika Turner, owner of The Institute of Beauty in Bartlett. She started the business after Tennessee passed a law that allowed schools in specific areas of training that set students up with apprenticeships.
“The goal is they will pick up more education in the salon,” said Turner.
Salon owner LaKeisha Berry-Brooks signed on to train students.
“It’s very important when you are first starting out, to be up under a stylist or at a salon that offers continuing education,” said Berry-Brooks.
Tennessee State Representative Antonio Parkinson was behind the Natural Hair and Apprenticeship Law. He told WREG’s April Thompson it helps students overcome barriers.
“This allows them to go to work faster, go to work while they are in school, build clients while they are in school,”said Parkinson.
The natural hair business is expanding. The institute has more students than it ever imagined and A Natural Affair Salon is moving to a larger space.
It’s good news for Liom.
“It’s like an art to me. The human head is like my canvass and I use my hands as the paint brush. So it’s just about a love of doing hair,” said Lioam.
The Institute of Beauty in Bartlett will hold enrollment for a new class on November 28.
There are also more natural hair schools opening up since the law passed.
