If you’re not already familiar with the Texture vs. Race Summit, it’s time to get acquainted. The annual event is set to return this winter and it will be continuing its mission of challenging the beauty industry’s long-standing racial and textural divide by presenting a first-of-its-kind inclusive hair show.
Taking place on December 10-12th in Baltimore, Maryland, this year’s summit will offer beauty professionals a texturally inclusive selection of independent and branded education while curating a safer space to navigate the discussion of diversity and actionable inclusion. Led by NAHA-nominated educator and industry advocate Keya Neal, the Texture vs. Race Summit will empower all stylists with the technical skills and cultural competence needed to serve a diverse clientele. Now in its fifth year, attendees can expect hands-on classes, on-stage presentations, business and wellness development, breakout sessions, mastermind sessions with Neal and round-robin demonstrations at this year’s summit.
“My goal is for attendees to view hair through the lens of art and science,” Neal says. “By creating an inclusive-minded hair show and education offering, stylists will have the freedom to choose products and education based on performance and need, rather than being confined by societal expectations of ‘black hair’ or ‘white hair’ categorization. This shift empowers stylists to become more capable beauty professionals, align with brands that share their values and overall strengthens the beauty industry.”
A Closer Look at the 2023 Texture vs. Race Summit
So, what’s on the agenda at this year’s Texture vs. Race Summit? Attendees can expect the summit to feature an expanded format with even more educational opportunities to help stylists develop their business acumen and a texturally inclusive skillset.
Day 1 (December 10) opens with a brand-inclusive showroom floor where partnered brands focus on creating community, providing education and building relations, without the pressure of sales. Attendees will have the chance to learn more about each brand’s products, how they perform and align themselves with companies that share similar values. The event of the afternoon, the Artist Exhibition, will treat attendees to high-energy stage demonstrations, hair presentations, and inclusion discussion sessions hosted by Neal.
Days 2 and 3 (December 11 and 12, respectively) will focus on texturally-inclusive education, to include hands-on education, breakout sessions, independent education sessions, branded education, stage sessions, their signature round-robin “Curl Clinic” and showroom floor education.
Featuring an expansive portfolio of education, this year’s summit aims to empower stylists and strengthen the beauty industry through a mix of independent and brand education. Classes will focus on technical skill set, business development, product knowledge, and wellness hosted by industry powerhouse educations J Ladner, Elizabeth Faye, Carla Jones, Nina Tulio, Cassandra Platinum, Micheline Barber, Brenda Amaral, Monae Everett, Hunter Donia, the Texture vs. Race Collaborative, and more.
To register and secure your ticket for the Texture vs. Race Summit, make sure to visit www.TexturevsRace.com. And, to learn more about Texture vs. Race, follow @texturevsrace and @KeyaArtiscially on Instagram.
