“Uhuru Salon is proud and excited to bring an event of this caliber to the
St. Louis area,” said Erica Bennett, Uhuru Salon owner and stylist. “Our city is a great market for such shows, and we cannot wait to showcase all of the talent that St. Louis has to offer.”
For its ninth anniversary, Bennett’s natural hair hotspot will be doing something extremely special and unique to the region.
Next Saturday (July 28) they will host the Natural Hair Revolution (NHR) 2012. Part competition and part special honors, the event will showcase area talent and highlight the best and most skilled of local natural hair salons, barbershops and schools.
Participants will be judged on skill in six areas: creativity, innovation, execution, originality, custom color and product inclusion. Barbers will be judged on fading, razor lining, design cuts, ol’ school battle, creativity and originality. Winners will be chosen for first-, second- and third-place honors, with the most outstanding winning cash prizes and major recognition.
During the NHR competition, Uhuru Salon will pay homage to natural hair care trailblazer Mekhat Moore – owner of Napps and the Sexy Buddha boutique. She is credited with being among the first to cater to the needs of the natural hair clientele in St. Louis. Many stylists, including Bennett, began the process of perfecting their skills at Napps.
“Mekhat is definitely a pioneer in the natural hair industry,” said Bennett.
“She was indeed one of the first to take risks and bring the whole movement to our area, and it’s because of that we are honoring her for setting the path for us to follow.”
Moore’s decision nearly two decades ago to open her own salon specializing in natural hair, including locs and various braiding techniques, helped initiate the trend that can still be seen throughout St. Louis.
As the owner of Napps hair salon, she has used her knowledge of the culture in which she serves to emphasize on the critical importance of individuality and maintaining healthy hair.
Bennett is a 16-year veteran in the natural hair industry and has made a name for herself by staying true to the natural lifestyle and all that it encompasses.
Located in the heart of the eclectic and diverse Tower Grove neighborhood, Uhuru Salon is recognized for its incomparable services in custom coloring, loc and natural styles, loc and two-strand extensions, as well as sew-ins. Uhuru focuses focus on healthy hair maintenance is centered on client education of organic and natural hair products.
The list of shops and schools on the roster to compete includes: Da Rootz; Mane Event; Tayler-Made Barbershop; The Root Worker; Akassi at Easely Done Hair Gallery; Yikhenah of Serenity MYO; Knotty by Nature; Sweet Tresses; Myesha the barber, representing LeRoy’s Barber Shop; GeedaBarber of House of Styles; Butta’s Hair Galaxy; John Shep the Barber; Antonio’s Barber and Beauty College; Eclips Barber College; Leonard’s Barber College; Elaine Stevens Beauty College and St. Louis Hair Academy.
In support of the reelection of President Barack Obama, Uhuru is asking for a minimum donation in support of the campaign.
Judges for the competition element of NHR 2012 include Leslie Christian, owner, Diversity Gallery; Jeannine Vaughn, owner, Jeannine’s; James Wealthy, master lashologist and master eyebrow threading specialist; St. Louis Post-Dispatch pop music critic Kevin C. Johnson; barber extraordinaire Steven Lacey, owner of Christopher Stevens Salon; celebrity hair stylist Da’Rico Jackson; Ayesha Hameed, natural hair specialist and Kurtis, owner of Kuts by Kurtis and creator of the Twist-C-Comb technique.
“Hair is serious in St. Louis,” Bennett said. “And we are looking forward to bringing national attention to our home town.”
Natural Hair Revolution (NHR) 2012 will take place 6 p.m. Saturday, July 28 at the Sheldon Concert Hall Spiering Room, 3648 Washington Blvd. Tickets are available through www.metrotix.com. Uhuru Salon is located at 2012 South 39th St. For more information on the styles and services offered, call (314) 771-8487.
