Louisiana stylists must learn to cut 'textured' hair

Starting next summer, aspiring hairdressers will need to prove they can cut textured hair—hair typically belonging to Black people—if they want to work in Louisiana. The state Board of Cosmetology unanimously passed a resolution that requires all licensing exams to include a section on cutting textured hair—but not a section on textured hair styling. According to board chairman Edwin Neill, anyone who fails this section will not earn a license as of next June. Textured hair refers to hair that isn’t straight, including waves, tight curls, kinks, coils, and Afro hair. In 2008, the board established an alternative hair license but did not require all stylists to understand natural hair. The license was the first of its kind, and it began changing the profession of alternative hair care based on a curriculum created by natural stylist and loctician Uyai Imaabasi of Baton Rouge in 2008. Prior to that, stylists were only given a permit to do natural, textured hair. The new requirement goes into effect June 2022.

(Photo by NEOMEN Magazine on Unsplash)

Whitney Plantation reopens after sustaining severe hurricane damage

Hurricane Ida severely damaged the Whitney Plantation—the only plantation museum in Louisiana with a focus on slavery. The Antioch Baptist Church sustained the most damage. It was built by formerly enslaved people only five years after slavery ended. Large portions from the roof of the plantation store were ripped off and much of the content was damaged. The exterior wall of an expanded slave cabin was destroyed. After three months of closure, it re-opens Friday, Nov. 26 for public tours starting at 10am with last entry at 3pm. The Whitney is best known for its use of restored buildings, museum exhibits, memorial artwork, and first-person slave narratives to share the lives of Louisiana’s enslaved people.

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North Lafayette ministers push for holiday boycott

The Greater Southwest Ministerial Coalition is asking those living in north Lafayette to stop shopping within the city — just in time for the holiday season. The boycott is planned to start on Thanksgiving and end on Christmas Day. Residents are being encouraged to instead spend their money on businesses elsewhere, in surrounding cities like Scott, Youngsville, and Broussard. A spokesperson for the coalition, told KATC they hope that the impact of this boycott will bring attention to not only economic disparity the northside faces, but racial disparities as well.

17-year-olds and parents face penalties under Shreveport curfew

Mayor Adrian Perkins signed legislation on Oct. 22 that amends the city’s curfew ordinance to include 17-year-olds and imposes a penalty on the parents of juveniles who do not comply. The ordinance restricts outdoor activities for juveniles in Shreveport on weekdays from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from midnight to 5 a.m. One exception is when a juvenile is accompanied by a parent or other adult person authorized by a parent. If a juvenile is found to be in violation of the ordinance for a second time (and subsequent times), the parent, having been previously notified of violations, will be fined no more than $500 per offense or sentenced to up to six months in jail.

Xavier students win Tampax scholarships

Five juniors studying pre-med at Xavier University of Louisiana have been named recipients of Tampax’s Flow It Forward Scholarship. They are Sydney Ambrose of Lafayette, Jasmine McLeish of Fort Montgomery, NY, Ayanna Prather of Atlanta, Jillian Harris of Houston, and Fabiola Pierre of New Orleans. The scholarship provides $200,000 annual tuition assistance each year for 4 years for Black women pursuing healthcare careers. Tampax said the aim is to help close the racial representation gap in medicine by partnering with the United Negro College Fund. “I am excited because the purpose of Flow it Forward aligns with what I’m trying to do: educate the under-served communities and increase the amount of Black women health professionals,” said Pierre.

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Shot for $100 continues until Dec. 31

Louisiana’s Shot For $100 vaccine incentive program is being extended through the end of the year, giving residents another chance to get their shots throughout the holiday season. Louisiana residents now have until Dec. 31, 2021, to get their vaccine at a participating community-based site as listed on ShotFor100.com. Anyone receiving their first shot is eligible. However, college students receiving their first or second shots are eligible.