A note from co-founder, Cherie Gatson
On May 20, 2020, George Floyd, an innocent Black man, was wrongfully murdered by four police officers from the Minneapolis Police Department. Far from an isolated incident, the disturbing nature of Floyd’s death sent shockwaves across America. For many, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It spurred conversation about systemic racism that runs deep and ignited the modern-day civil rights movement.
It caused my co-founders and I to look inward and reflect on our purpose; specifically within the salon and haircare industries. Our unique backgrounds made us well aware of the lack of representation and inclusion for Black hair at every level of the system. Of three things we were certain:
- The need for change and equal representation was long overdue. Now was the time to take action.
- We would have a hand in the disruption of our respective industry.
- The only place that made sense to start was in our local community.
Three short months later, we launched HAPI and developed a curriculum for hair professionals across Oregon centered around equity and inclusion. We had meaningful and productive conversation about what needs to change in our industry, what appropriation looks like, and the importance of social and cultural awareness. Class participants were willing and eager to learn and it gave us hope for a better, more inclusive salon industry. If we could move the needle, even a bit, we had found our place in the movement.
Mission
Our goal at HAPI is to normalize natural hair within the salon & haircare industries, as well as our local community.
Vision
We at HAPI envision an inclusive salon & haircare industry where all types of hair, whether straight, wavy, curly, or kinky/coily, are cared for equally regardless of race or ethnicity.
Hair Artists in Pursuit of Inclusion 