Empowering Beauty and Identity: Kulture’s cosmetology training that celebrates natural curls

The Cause

Kulture Institute of Cosmetology addresses significant challenges faced by marginalized communities in Alberta, particularly related to a lack of access to career opportunities, representation in the beauty industry, and the need for empowerment through skills development. The problem is multifaceted: many young individuals from marginalized and rural areas lack access to quality vocational training, limiting their ability to secure meaningful employment or create economic opportunities for themselves. Additionally, individuals with natural curls—especially from Afro-descendant backgrounds—often face underrepresentation in mainstream beauty narratives, which can lead to issues with self-esteem and a lack of cultural pride.

Kulture aims to tackle these issues by providing cosmetology training programs that target marginalized youth, enabling them to acquire practical skills in beauty and grooming, which can open up career paths in an industry that values creativity and self-expression. This program will also promote entrepreneurship, allowing participants to become self-sufficient and contribute economically to their communities. The training sessions will emphasize techniques tailored to Afro-textured hair, addressing the lack of representation and specialized skills in the broader beauty industry.

The “Empowering Curls” book further addresses the problem of underrepresentation by showcasing the beauty of natural curls and promoting self-acceptance. For individuals who have been marginalized by traditional beauty standards, this book serves as a source of inspiration and empowerment, providing visibility to diverse beauty standards that are often ignored. It is an effort to challenge and reshape narratives within the beauty industry, encouraging those who feel unseen to embrace their identity and cultural heritage with pride.

Together, these initiatives aim to create a cycle of positive change, by equipping individuals from marginalized backgrounds with both the skills and the confidence to improve their personal and economic circumstances. By addressing gaps in access to training and representation, Kulture Institute hopes to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes sustainable community empowerment.

Who Will it Benefit?

The Kulture Institute of Cosmetology’s project benefits marginalized communities in Alberta, focusing on underserved youth and individuals with natural curls lacking representation in beauty narratives. Our initiative provides skills training, representation, and community engagement to empower participants and foster positive change.

The first group to benefit is marginalized youth who face barriers to vocational training and career opportunities, often from low-income backgrounds. Our free cosmetology training equips participants with hands-on skills leading to employment or small business creation, fostering financial independence and breaking cycles of poverty. Our training emphasizes Afro-textured hair care—an often-overlooked skill—meeting community needs and providing specialized services that contribute to the local economy.

The second group to benefit is individuals with natural curls who lack representation in mainstream beauty standards. Many people, particularly those of Afro-descent, face negative stereotypes impacting self-esteem. Our “Empowering Curls” book project tackles this issue by celebrating natural curls, showcasing diverse curl patterns, sharing inspiring stories, and providing styling tips. This fosters self-acceptance, pride in natural identity, and promotes visibility for those who feel unseen.

Beyond these groups, the broader community will benefit from workshops tied to the book, creating opportunities for community members to connect, share experiences, and learn about self-care and personal expression. This fosters unity within marginalized groups, promotes inclusivity, and encourages diverse beauty standards, contributing to a society that values cultural differences.

Economic empowerment is another key benefit. Producing the “Empowering Curls” book locally in Calgary and encouraging entrepreneurship among trained participants boosts economic activity. Small businesses emerging from the training will provide essential services, create jobs, and support sustainable growth.

In summary, our project benefits marginalized youth by providing vocational training and economic opportunities, individuals with natural curls by promoting representation, and the broader community by fostering inclusivity, unity, and economic empowerment. By addressing gaps in skills training, representation, and economic opportunities, we aim to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity.