Growing up with textured hair has been a journey of navigating a world that often doesn’t understand or appreciate its beauty. Too often, individuals with textured hair enter salons filled with uncertainty, anxious about whether the stylist will know how to properly cut, color, style, or chemically alter our hair. This is not just a personal inconvenience—it reflects a broader systemic issue that perpetuates feelings of exclusion and discrimination against textured hair.

This petition calls for a mandatory requirement for all Maryland Cosmetology/Limited Stylist/Barbering apprenticeship programs & schools to implement comprehensive textured hair training in their curriculums. This is important because everyone deserves to feel confident in the chair of any hair care professional, no matter their hair type or texture.

Statistics reveal the depth of the problem. According to a survey by the CROWN Coalition, Black women are 83% more likely to feel judged based on their looks and twice as likely to be sent home from work because of their hairstyle. Hair discrimination has far-reaching impacts beyond just personal inconvenience — it is a manifestation of systemic racism and bias that we need to dismantle.

We need to ensure that those in the beauty industry possess the training and skills necessary to cater to all hair textures, reflecting the true diversity of our society. This training will not only promote inclusivity but will also empower stylists with the skills to service a broader range of clientele with confidence.

As of February 1st, 2026 only 8 states in the US require Textured Hair Education in the Cosmetology curriculum. The state of Maryland can lead by example by requiring textured hair training for all beauty and hairstyling professionals. Implementing this mandatory training as part of cosmetology and barber curriculums will send a powerful message that all hair is beautiful and worthy of professional care.

Please sign this petition to help ensure that cosmetology professionals in Maryland are trained to appreciate and care for all hair textures equally. Together, we can dismantle racist systems and build a more inclusive and understanding community.