UNM’s historic new hair shop honors Black history

The Physical Space

The shop features two salon chairs, two ring lights, mirrors, matts, a guest chair, and a moveable tray for placing hair products. "The Fro" neon sign glows on a gallery wall adorned with posters representing the history of styling black hair throughout the ages.

There are no televisions placed in this room intentionally. Wells-Stone and her team wanted to prioritize building community. "Black hair shops, salons, barbershops, were more than conversation. They were about checking in, laughing, debating, organizing, mentoring, mobilizing, and dreaming," Wells-Stone said.

The goal is to encourage visitors of this space to build friendships, to challenge each other, plan, and check in with each other.

The room itself is a converted storage space. Wells-Stone pitched the idea of a shop to the New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee, and they donated the funds alongside AFRO alumni to make this a reality.

When the time came for the grand opening, AFRO welcomed the community to undo a large braid as an alternative to cutting a ribbon and welcome folks into the hair shop.

The History

For decades, UNM students have gathered in dorm rooms or offices to get their hair done by fellow students for line ups, braids, locks, and more. "All of these moments tell a deeper story of the way Black students have always been intentional about building community," Wells-Stone said.

While this has been decades in the making, Wells-Stone attributes two state bills to paving the way-the CROWN Act and The Braiding and Licensure Bill.

"The passing of New Mexico's version of the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) affirms that our hair, our natural textures, our locks, our braids, our protective styles cannot be grounds for discrimination, particularly in education spaces," Wells-Stone said.

House Bill 281, known as the "Braiding and Licensure Bill" exempts barbers and cosmetologists from receiving disciplinary action for braiding hair without being licensed. "The Braiding and Licensure Bill expands pathways and legitimizes the cultural labor that has always existed in our communities," said Wells-Stone.

Both bills provide an opportunity to connect legislation, wellness, and retention in ways that prioritize serving-not just enrolling-students who utilize African American Student Services.

"This is such a special occasion, genuinely," said Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Scott. "It's a pivotal moment for the evolution of the student experience here at the University of New Mexico."