Anti-Racism Statement

The Hive Salon is committed to recognizing, addressing, and eradicating racism and oppression in the beauty industry.

As an organization we are committed to:

• Anti-Racism education and policies

• Naming, instead of ignoring, the racism that exists in the beauty industry

• Including classes for all hair textures in our stylist continuing education curriculum

• Dismantling the assumption of straight hair as the “standard”

• Recognizing that while stylists can specialize in certain hair techniques and services, this should not exclude anyone from the opportunity to receive a service based on hair texture

• Carrying and featuring products for all hair and skin types

• Transparency in pay structures and promotional opportunities

• Gender inclusive services and pricing

• Choosing products, partners, and vendors that share in our vision

• Unlearning the patterns of discrimination taught in society and beauty schools

*Though this statement and our activities represent our intention, we acknowledge that only an individual can decide whether they feel safe or not in any space.

TW/CW: Racism, discrimination, white supremacy

The beauty industry has a dark past and continues to perpetuate racism and discrimination at every level of its operation- from recruiting potential beauty school students to flat out refusing service to Black, Indigenous, and clients of color cloaked in the excuse that stylists don’t have the expertise or experience to do “their hair.” Some of this statement is partially true; many hairstylists today are not required to learn how to style, cut, and color Black hair in predominantly white cosmetology schools. While many predominantly Black cosmetology schools teach stylists-in-training to style, cut, and color Black, textured hair AND straight hair.

Straight hair (on primarily white individuals) is considered the standard for technical cosmetology training in most states, and curly, extremely curly, and kinky hair textures (on primarily people of color) are considered “specialties” that stylists can eventually learn once they are licensed. However, confident with only the knowledge of how to do straight hair, unless they themselves have curly and textured hair, many stylists will find themselves working on primarily straight hair in their careers. On top of this, many continuing education opportunities around hair color and haircuts are taught only using mannequins with straight hair, and any classes teaching techniques for curly, extremely curly, or kinky hair are considered a “specialty.” Yes, sometimes stylists have a choice of what continuing education classes they’d like to take, but these “specialties” may require even more classes at a higher price tag. And the cycle continues.

Dismantling the cosmetology school curriculum will be a long and arduous process working with state lawmakers and boards of licensure, but this should not discourage us from doing so.

At the salon business level, we can begin dismantling racial segregation within salons by taking the steps outlined about in our list of commitments. We must also recognize and respect that there are cultural implications and incredible community support systems built around salons that serve predominantly Black clients. We are not here to remove those supports and traditions, but rather address the issues of white supremacy that can make Black, Indigenous, and people of color feel unsafe and uncomfortable seeking services in a predominantly white salon environment.

Read more about the legacy of racism in the beauty industry here:

• “Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America” by Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps

• “In Hair Salons, Racial Segregation Never Really Ended”

• “The Hairstyling Industry Has a Racism Problem, and It Starts With Beauty School”

• “Discrimination in the Salon Industry”

• “Separate But Not Equal: Racial Bias in Salon Culture”