Crowning Achievements: Why We Celebrate Black Hair Care and Entrepreneurs
By ReyAnn Haney
Albuquerque’s Black hair salon and barber shop scene is perpetually evolving. Our city and state have achieved big wins, especially when it comes to natural hair. For over three years now, New Mexico Black Leadership Council’s (NMBLC) UpLift Chronicles has reported on our city and state’s workforce and leadership development achievements, including those in our wonderful hair community. Let’s take a look back to celebrate local entrepreneurial success!
Hair She Is Again!
Mylette Clark, owner of Hair It Is, was one of the first salon owners we featured, back in Volume 1, Issue 1. Even then, Clark was winning the game by providing stellar hairstyling and giving back to her community, offering free back-to-school haircuts and braiding to children at local parks. Hair It Is is still located in the same glorious building at 525 San Pedro Dr NE, just between Lomas and Copper. Hair It Is remains a star in Albuquerque’s hairdo hall of fame. Learn more by calling 505-489-1048 or visiting Hair It Is' Facebook page.
Hello, Gorgeous!
In UpLift Chronicles’ second issue, we profiled hairstylist Shaunai Blade and her salon Hello Gorgeous, which originally opened in 2015. While Hello Gorgeous has changed location since that 2022 coverage, Blade and staff are still earning that name, providing professional salon services ranging from a simple unisex haircut to silk press (basic or deluxe) as well as braiding, updos, color services, deep conditioning and keratin treatments and much more. Get to know Hello Gorgeous, located at 5608 Menaul Blvd NE, by calling 505-295-3697 or visiting shaunaiblades.glossgenius.com.
Braiding Prosperity
Now that we’ve celebrated great stylists, let's fast-forward to 2025 and reminisce about more recent coverage of major news in New Mexico’s natural hair world. In July 2025, UpLift Chronicles covered the successful passage of House Bill 281, which empowers braiders to practice without acquiring a cosmetology license, in “Licensed to Twist: The Fight for Braiding Freedom in New Mexico.”
Revisit the story of how Neema Pickett, African American Community Liaison with the City of Albuquerque’s Office of Equity & Inclusion, organized a legislative coalition, resulting in the creation of economic power with cultural practices that passed down through generations. Read more at bit.ly/braidnm.