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M. Michele George, is the author of The Knotty Truth. The Knotty Truth, guides readers in an exploration of the physical and mental journey of transitioning from chemicals to embracing their natural hair. The book also gives information on styling and maintenance techniques, detailed lists of what products to use and those to stay away from, and much more.
M. Michele George wears many hats, along with authoring The Knotty Truth, she is also certified as a Natural Hair Stylist/Consultant, under NIC standards and works with the state of Ohio to effect change in the cosmetology industry. She is using her knowledge as a Cosmetology Board Certified CEU Provider within the cosmetology industry and the general public via her books, consultations, workshops and seminars.
This busy lady took the time to share with Kinnks’ readers how she got started in the business of natural hair.
The business called me. As I attempted to register for beauty school, I found a disconnect between the laws for natural hair styling and the schools that offered it, because there are none in Ohio. I attempted to go to Cosmetology School three times and lost money over it because I could not wrap my mind around working in a room of chemicals for months, breathing, applying and living with fumes that I know as a researcher their harm and future implications of inhalation and application. My interest began with the book The Knotty Truth and I wanted to do more.
Then, I started a group Napturally Me that I founded when I came to Columbus, Ohio, after doing a few workshops in the Columbus area that we could own and discuss in an environment free of censorship. Once that group began, my creative energy took off and so did the group as it expanded to over 100 members by the first of the year under new leadership! I found my passion taking the back burner and wanted to return to my workshop format and do more education and training.
Once obtaining my Certification in Natural Hair Styling, Spring 2010 under NIC standards, I petitioned the Cosmetology Board on this disconnect between a law that requires a natural hair stylist to be licensed and no school offerings in Ohio. From there, I began working with a school to reinstate their program. Their program is reinstated; yet, not a program I endorse.
The politics of hair care as it stands evolves around an archaic educational system controlled by schools that are in the pockets of chemical companies and standardized testing that evolves around heat application, weaves and outdated styles such as Herringbone braids that have nothing to do with modern day natural hair care.
I was glad to be a part of the project but continue to move on working as the Cosmetology Board suggested as an Advocate for Natural Hair Styling in Ohio. I won’t state my goal in print right now, but I continue to partner with other Natural Hair Stylists in Ohio, through my membership with the Network of Christian Salon Professionals outside networks like Brother Taalib-Din Uqdah of the American Hair Braiders & Natural Haircare Association to effect change in the State Law in Ohio.
Unfortunately, since the law was enacted around 1994, there have been only 21 natural hair stylists licensed in the State of Ohio and there have been NONE since 2007 when the last and only school that offered the program stopped their program in 2007. As things stand, a committee will being proposing to reduce the hour expectation from 450 to 100. Yes, that’s good. But the question remains-what difference does it make when there’s no school that offers the program and no federal loans can be taken out on programs less than 600 hours? So, there’s work to do.
In the meantime, By George! A company started by my husband and I continues to crank out workshops, seminars and training on topics that are dear to our heart. Mine is the ministry of natural hair care and his is Epilepsy Advocacy. I am now a Certified Ohio Cosmetology CEU provider and I offer The Knotty Truth Seminars to licensed professionals and the general public for certification in various natural hair styling techniques and general knowledge areas, addressing nappy hair, a gap that the industry refuses to fill.
So each door that closes, continues to present work and opportunity that draws me into the business of natural hair care.
M. Michele George will also release her second book this winter titled, The Knotty Truth: Making Fabulous Locks on a Dime.
More Information on M. Michele George
http://www.theknottytruth.net
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001279410319
http://www.facebook.com/theknottytruth?ref=ts
http://www.amazon.com/Knotty-Truth-Managing-Tightly-Survival/dp/0578014130/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266938513&sr=8-1
http://www.theknottytruth.net/index.html
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HELP! I did the BC 9/11 and can not keep any shine on my TWA. Please help me on products for softness, shine and curl maintance. And by the way I am allergic to coconut or almond oils. Thanks ladies in advance for any good advice.
Irony: It’s a tough journey to help others with their natural hair care journey.
I wonder if scholarships for natural hair care providers from private companies could help? If so, it would still be a matter of finding institutions to license these hair care practitioners.
A Catch-22. Looking forward to following you on Facebook and supporting your endeavors to improve this situation.