New Chicago Bill for Hair Braiders Brings Stylists Together

Angela Walker
1 day ago
4 min read

By: Angela Walker

Is this a representation of a divide or a time to unite?

HB-3356 Hair Braiding Reform Act Bill has sparked some serious motion in the Illinois area. This bill is looking to remove hair braiding from the licensing department and it has sparked the age old question:

Should braiders and natural hair stylists be licensed?

The answer is not a simple yes or no. This two sided coin has highly intelligent and highly invested people on both sides. In this article, we are taking on the heavy lift of presenting both sides so that you can decide for yourself if you are for or against licensure for our industry.

Here are the pros of having a license:

Access + Opportunity: Having a license opens up access to funds that many would otherwise not have access to, and provides access to opportunities that otherwise would not be brought their way. For instance, a license is proof that our industry exists. For those who are outside of the industry and feel they can't work on a movie set without a license, it proves a level of credibility stating that what they do is recognized (just like what others do) and that they should be given access to this space.

Schools: Having a license means there is opportunity for schools to be built around the license, while providing the opportunity for jobs to be held as a school owner AND as an instructor at these schools.

Consumer Safety: A license means that protocols have been put into place that are approved and that are being practiced with public safety in mind. We all know about the harm traction alopecia has caused, and while we would like to believe we all know better now, the truth is as a community we don't. Without a license in place, how do we know safe tension with hair extensions is being practiced?

Grant Access: Without licensure, there is no headcount for how powerful our community is. With a license, we are afforded the opportunity to see our numbers, for the government to see our impact, and for us to have the opportunity to apply for grants and to even push for our representatives to create grants on our behalf.

Cultural Protection: With a license, no one can say you don't belong or take you to court for not having proper credentials.

Here are the pros of NOT having a license:

Freedom: There is a level of freedom that we are allowed to move in with there not being a license. We do not need to follow anyone's set rules but that of the climate of our community and what has been tried, tested and proven over the years.

Easy Access: Not having a license makes it easy for people to enter the industry. They are free to learn and provide service without having an overburden of government.

Cultural Protection: With no license our cultural practices stay out of books and remain a lineage hand-me-down from one stylist to the next. There is safety in not having our trade secrets for any and everyone to have access to.

Less Fees: With no license in place there are no extra fees for practicing this art. While you still have to pay for your business license, insurance and other things, you would not need to worry about paying for an occupational license.

Here’s what both sides have in common:

Passion: Both sides are extremely passionate about this work. The leaders on both sides have been working at this for years and have seen serious progress in their efforts.

Wants What’s Best: Both sides want what is best for the industry, and strongly believe that what they want is what is best for the industry.

Have a following: Both sides have people standing behind them in agreement. They are leading other stylists who feel just as passionate as they do about this work which is not only vindicating, but encouraging for them to continue to push forward.

Stubborn: Both sides are stubborn. They are unyielding in their persistence and advocacy to prove themselves right and will fight for that right for as long as they can.

What can you do?

At this point, you can and should pick a side and help that side win. The truth is that no matter which side wins, in the end, we will win collectively if this brings us together. We are not only divided on this subject, but we are separated as a community in real life. Very few natural hair stylists/ braiders/locticians have found a collective group to grow with, whether we are talking about skillset, industry practices or friendship.

The growth of anything is hinged on the strength of the relationship of those who encompass it. So, find your people. The good thing is that no matter how you feel there are others who feel the same way.

Here are three groups who are working to build community in the natural hair industry: