The beauty industry has failed at properly representing curly hair and textured hair in their curriculums. In most cosmetology schools there is very minimal information on how to care for or style naturally curly hair. Hair stylists receive their licenses with little to no knowledge on textured hair which limits their abilities to service all people; it only allows for them to service a select group of people. This needs to change, it has to. 

The information that is presented to students is outdated and encourages people with textured hair to straighten their hair (chemical relaxers, hot combs, flat ironed etc.) to enhance their beauty and given no other option. Instead, there should be a curriculum on encouraging curls, proper care for curly hair, and how to style curly hair in various ways whether that be straight or natural. Styles traditionally worn by African American women and men aren't represented at all and aren't encouraged. Some school's even prohibit students from wearing braided styles (dreads, wigs, weaves etc.) while class is in session. Cosmetology textbooks, Operations, & Lectures should involve inclusivity for all hair textures from fine and straight to coarse and coily textured, but unfortunately they do not. There needs to be change made to include and represent all people of color and all hair types and textures. 

Here's what should change: 

• CA Cosmetology requirements should include in depth curly/textured hair curriculum 
• Students should be allowed to express their culture and heritage through their hair if they'd like to. 
• Give just as much historical information on African/African American hairstyles as they do with European hairstyles. 

In conclusion, by signing this petition you will help make a change to ensure that hairstylists in California are receiving proper education that is inclusive for all hair textures. This is an old system that needs some updating and together we will make change happen!