Provide Direct PA State Grant Funding to Our Black & Latino Hair Salons & Barber Shops.

There is a proposed bill for approximately $4 Billion Dollars for our state’s Covid-19 Relief Funds - PA CARES 21. This bill includes $800 million designated to provide direct assistance to businesses in our state. We need our federal government to decide on a national relief plan and our Pennsylvania State Governor’s office to provide immediate direct funding to Our Black and Latino owned Hair Salons and Barber Shops across our state once this bill is passed. We are not only vital to our communities, we are major contributors to the economy! Our industry and our businesses are just as important as any other small or big business in PA. We provide a safe space physically, emotionally and mentally for all we serve. Our businesses benefit the whole person, the whole family, the whole neighborhood and the economy as a whole.

 At no fault of our own, our Hair Salons and Barber Shops are at risk of closing without the direct support of our state and local governments. Our businesses have already been at a disadvantage just because we are black and minority, not to mention, many of our businesses reside in some of the poorest neighborhoods. The impact of having to immediately close our businesses because of the pandemic and the current limited operating guidelines put constraints and extreme hardships on our businesses resulting in many barely able to pay bills, unable to support their families and even some having to close.

Our state government has deemed us as “Historically Disadvantaged Small Businesses”.  Right now we are more than disadvantaged we are in crisis! We need a minimum grant of $25,000 per registered hair salon and barber shop in the state of Pennsylvania. We need real relief and sustainability funding now.  

Data shows that the personal care industry has the 2nd highest need for funding across the state. If the restaurants can ask for direct funding, so can we. Unlike restaurants, Hair Salons and Barbershops were first to close and last to open during this pandemic process. Our direct service industry in PA did not have the luxury of opening when other direct service businesses did and neither did we have the privilege to operate outside. 

We need the voices and signatures of every licensed cosmetologist and barber, every beauty professional and all of our clients and friends in Pennsylvania. Sign this petition to let our state and local governments know that we’ve earned the right of direct support. Our businesses are vital to our community and to the economy as we employ an average of 5 people per hair salon and barbershop across the state. We are the 3rd highest licensed profession in the state. We are proven major contributors to our community’s safety and mental wellness and we are one of the only “black and brown” owned industries that remain in business in many of our disproportionate neighborhoods.     

The small business relief grant is simply not enough, as many of our businesses did not receive support and are still struggling to survive. A part of this relief was directed to “minority” small businesses. Let's acknowledge the intention to not use the word “minority”.  As the meaning of minority puts our black and latino businesses in a pool of so many other groups that are not “Historically disadvantaged” in our state. Therefor, leaving us continuously left behind and again shut out with no rescue and remaining in crisis.  

If Black Lives Matter to our state our Black businesses matter too. Help us tell our state to do the right thing and provide direct grant relief to our businesses.