We all have members of our families who share this experience. They demonstrate it with how they show constant love and attention to their elders and children as well as their brothers and sisters. Family for them is extended into all of the neighborhood as well as the church and school.
This tradition is often forgotten and appears to not exist except when in May and June we see our loved ones lined up to march down the isle to receive their reward, i.e., the diploma, certificate, or degree. From kindergarten to college, they parade proudly bearing smiles and memories of the past and dreams of the future. These are the graduates.
These are the ones who lived to benefit from the collective sacrifices, help, guidance and support to overcome the daily trials and hardships. These are the ones who have endured the horrors of urban educational institutions with all of their pitfalls and shortcomings.
These are the ones who say no to code words of "functionally illiterate" (blacks= 40-44%). This calculates nationally to 1.13 million per year.* However, half or more of the children go to school are given these institutional nick names. A name, or label such as, "mentally retarded", "learning disabled", or :high risk". This obviously leads to more expulsions and low-track classes. Ultimately, it diminishes the once lit light that shone so brightly in the beginning. The beginning being grades k-3.
As a predominantly black cosmetology school we are faced with working with students who fight their way through this horror called public education. We attempt to take their God given natural artistic talent which is intertwined with hope and desire and mold it into a professional cosmetologist who serves her/his community and neighborhood with distinction and commitment. We spill into their daily training a sprinkle of love that guarantees they feel wanted and know approval.
Hopefully when you come to our business for service you too feel that same spirit. If not, it is not because we don't want you to enjoy yourself and want to come for more.
Our aim and purpose is to produce a professional cosmetologist who serves her/his community and neighborhood with distinction and commitment. We trickle into their daily training a sprinkle of love that guarantees they feel wanted and know approval. Hopefully when you come to our business for service you too feel that same spirit. If not, it is not because we don't want you to enjoy yourself and want to come for more.
* The Education Challenge: ANew Educational Paradigm For The 21st Century
