Caring for Hair and the Community
Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator (BBCHI) was designated as a voluntary trade in 2022 under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act. A Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator provides natural hair care services; analyzes client’s hair and scalp (identifies hair type and texture); styles, such as with braids, locs and twists; and incorporates extensions, weaves, hairpieces, and wigs. Natural hair care services do not include the use of chemicals.
Following trade designation, the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency worked in partnership with the Black Beauty Culture Association (BBCA) and Crown of Beauty Institute to develop and offer a complimentary program to prepare eligible candidates to write the certification exam to become certified Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovators. The program allows individuals who have significant experience in the trade (trade qualifiers) to review the content of the Occupational Standard in preparation to write the exam.
Meet some of the students from the BBCHI exam preparation course offered by the BBCA.
Mary Lukindo is one of the first certified Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovators in Nova Scotia. Mary was born in Vancouver and grew up in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Her passion for hair began in 2016 after training in a salon in Tanzania. That same year she moved to Canada and continued to practice hair care with family and friends. However, Mary says she “was always interested in learning more and developing her skillset in hair care and design. Thanks to the BBCHI certification and its supportive community I have grown in confidence in my journey of making hair care equitable for all.” Mary graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences, and she hopes to serve her community with her degree and her BBCHI certification.
Marcia McGregor-Burton is the owner and operator of Jamroc Locs and Braid Salon and a certified BBCHI. Born in Jamaica, she studied at Dalhousie University, where she graduated with a degree in Recreation Therapy. Marcia is a Continuing Care Assistant by night, and an aspiring beautician by day. “My future as a beautician entails expanding into a full-service salon, which will include services such as waxing, nail aesthetics, massage therapy, and product development,” says Marcia. She also has aspirations of starting a charity program to provide healthy hair and scalp to those with little or no access to hair care. “To me this is basic human care, and as a Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator I’m proud to be among those carrying this banner of care and pride in our community.”
Renae Newby is a trained teacher with a Bachelor of Education in Business Studies and experience in teaching Accounting, Economics, and Business Management. Born and raised in Jamaica, she moved to Canada in 2018 and was encouraged by her two daughters to pursue the Black Beautiful Culture Hair Innovator course. “My aim was to enhance my skills in the art of black hair care and styling and to, most importantly, show my daughters the true value of their natural hair,” says Renae. “Through this remarkable course I have now embraced my entrepreneurial talents, starting my own small business focusing on kids’ hair styling and hair accessories.” Renae says her goal is to grow her business and to “contribute meaningfully to the evolving community of Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovators. Through the guidance of my instructor, Samantha Dixon-Slawter, I am undoubtedly more confident in my craft and even more empowered to continue on this journey.”
Rochelle Lewin was born in Jamaica, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a minor in Environmental Sciences. Rochelle always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. “As an avid learner, I pursued studies in Phlebotomy, Unit Clerk, and now Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator,” says Rochelle. “Now I’m the CEO of ChellesMerch, an online store that provides your everyday essential items. More recently, I launched a new collection focused on hair essentials needed for you to ‘own your beauty’ in the Black Beauty Hair industry. It’s an absolute joy to help individuals with their hair care and to serve the community.”
Chisom Nwogu was born and raised in Nigeria. She discovered her love for hair grooming in high school while giving friends hairdos every other weekend. “Over the years my hair styling skills have improved and taking the BBCHI course has been the highlight of it all,” says Chisom. With the skills acquired during the course she now hopes to launch her own hair salon and brand of hair products. “I’m exceptionally grateful to Samantha Dixon-Slawter for her love and passion for the African people.”
For more information about the Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator trade, to enroll in an exam preparation program or write the certification exam, contact Bill Michalos, Industry Training Consultant: Bill.Michalos@novascotia.ca.