Local Students Become Certified Hair Braiders
The Build Your Brand Braider Certification course offered by Camille Shavon of Hair Expressions added a few more graduates from Hardeman County to its program in 2024. Those graduates are now skilled and certified to braid hair as professionals opening the doors to financial independence and entrepreneurship.
Ms. Shavon started braiding hair and became skilled enough at the age of eight, nine years old where she was able to start earning money for her abilities. She has taken her trade and built a thriving hair styling business and in turn teaches other young girls how to do the same.
“It gave me a sense of independence and a sense of pride to make my own money and take that money and buy things for myself. If you are self-sufficient and independent, you are least likely to gravitate and follow the wrong path,” said Ms. Shavon, who is passionate about teaching other young girls a trade and entrepreneurship. “I love motivating and inspiring our young people and watching them develop their craft and skills. Teaching entrepreneurship and helping to create entrepreneurs is absolutely priceless!”
Since 2019, Ms. Shavon has offered the Braider Certification course to students in counties across the State of Tennessee, which include Hardeman, Davidson, Fayette, Madison, Shelby, Montgomery, and several more.
“Approximately 375 students have graduated in the State of Tennessee through the program, and about 200 of them are from Hardeman County,” said Ms. Shavon. “Certified Students must submit their certificate of completion to the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology to receive the official braiders license. One hundred plus businesses have been opened throughout the state of Tennessee from the graduates of my program.”
Ms. Shavon also shared that many of those graduates have gone on to open their own businesses or work in an established salon. Kelis Pugh and Laniya Sheffield are both eleventh grade students at Bolivar Central High School and are currently working at Hair Expressions.
Hair braiding has attracted a number of students in Hardeman County to the Youth Braider Explosion events with some as young as four years old.
“The age of a person does not determine the level of skill. It is how fast you can absorb technique and catch on,” said Ms. Shavon, who noted the certification opportunity is now open for younger students. “In 2022, the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology reduced the age requirements to 14 for a student to become certified as a braider.”
As students consider life after high school, local career fairs are introducing them to not only four-year colleges, but careers in the military, barber school, and trade colleges where they can learn a new skill or pursue one already of interest. The Build Your Brand Braider Certification Course is just another option for students, which could lead to a future career.
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