LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD
Representing and Uplifting Black Artists
The Collaborative is an agency that spotlights BIPOC artists with the goal to create a texturally diverse and racially inclusive salon industry through education. We help our artists build their brand and develop partnerships, acting as an equality & equity advocate.
REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY FOR BLACK ARTISTS
Racism and subconscious biases continue to affect career opportunities for Black artists. Full stop. We act as our artist's equality and equity advocate. We use our voice to offer you a seat at the table.
ARTIST COACHING AND MENTORSHIP
For artists seeking to build their brand, elevate their career, and make an impact. Artist coaching and mentorship programs encompass all aspects of developing your career.
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INDUSTRY LEADING TEXTURAL EDUCATION
Collaborative Coaches facilitate Texture VS Race programming to provide cutting, coloring, and styling technical education on all textures. Available to brands and salons.
MEET THE ARTISTS
KEYA NEAL
Kolour Kulture & Texture VS Race Founder,
Color Educator, DEI Consultant
The Collaborative is an agency that spotlights BIPOC artists with the goal to create a texturally diverse and racially inclusive salon industry through education. We help our artists build their brand and develop partnerships, acting as an equality & equity advocate.
SIOBAN "DAMALIA" MAJEED
Sioban “Damalia” Majeed is a highly accomplished hairstylist, educator, and industry expert with over 30 years of experience. As the founder of Texture Prodigy Academy, she specializes in tight curl education and empowers stylists to excel with textured hair. Damalia’s work has graced major platforms, including Paris, New York, and Philadelphia Fashion Weeks, and she is known for her editorial hairstyling expertise. Her dedication to textured hair education and innovative techniques make her a respected authority in the beauty industry.
DOMINIQUE LYVAR
With a ton of experience in the fashion and beauty industries, Dominique LyVar is super respected as a famous Global Celebrity Stylist and Master Educator. He's been in the game for a long time and has worked his magic at top cosmetology schools, even becoming the lead educator for various beauty and curl companies.
But that's not all! Dominique's passion also extends to production, where he's collaborated with designers for NY fashion week and worked with all kinds of famous folks in Film, Broadway, and the Music industry. Throughout his career, he's always been a great leader with a magnetic personality and a smile that's contagious.
Dominique started his journey as a Stylist in 1998 in Long Island, NY, but he's made a huge impact beyond just cutting hair. His expertise as an educator has been invaluable at places like Aveda, Paul Mitchell, Devacurl, RëZo Academy, and multiple cosmetology schools. And when it comes to production, he's worked closely with top designers for NY Fashion Week and had the honor of styling some seriously famous faces.
Dominique isn't just an educator and stylist. He's also a Global Educator, Master Stylist, owner of Suite Uzuri, Creator of the Uzuri Method, a texture inclusive method of cutting all textures , Texture Vs Race Artist and Collaborative team member and Co-founder of The Curl Crew. The Curl Crew, made up of texture educators and stylists, really shows his dedication to spreading beauty and texture education all over the place. And when he's not busy with all that, he's behind the chair, making the Curl Community even more fabulous, one curl at a time.
JAMES "JAMEZ" SMITH
Creatively inspired, healthy hair motivated creates a synergy of what is called “Alchemy” are best to Characterize James "Jamez" Smith. With endless studying, practice,
perseverance and commitment, Jamez is now the owner and Creative Director of Hairtique Color and Design located in Philadelphia, Roxborough section.
From precision and free form hair cutting to fashion forward hair coloring, he has a natural talent for taking hair to the next level. He Landed mentoring programs with Loreal Professional, Texture vs Race Collaborative coaching. He also held positions with brands like Lakme Haircare at Depasquale Salon Systems, Patric Bradley Team Hollywood, and Farouk Systems Creative Artistic Team working as a Brand Educator and Platform Artist. Jamez is a Member of the elite hair color organization American “Board of Certified Hair colorists.” Jamez is now operating under is own education curriculum. Providing advance Coloring Cutting, Styling Techniques ,Business Building, and Motivational Speaking
Jamez has been highlighted in magazines such as Modern Salon, Behind The Chair, Launchpad, Salon Sense, Sophisticates Hair, Hype Hair, Passions Hair and a host of other publications. He has graced the cover of two issues with Coiffure Magazine. Winning awards and photo competitions across the us. His professionalism has allow him to create looks for celebrities such as House music Legend Crystal Waters, Gospel Recording Artist Y’Anna Crawley, Actresses Rosario Dawson, and Cheryl Lee Ralph.
In believing you can never learn enough, Jamez has continued education across the U.S. and Abroad with brands such as Matrix, Wella, Joico, HairBrained, Aquage, Mizani, Goldwell, Paul Mitchell Systems, Bernaes Academy just to name a few. Studying philosophies of hair Icon’s Vidal Sassoon, Beth Minardi, Juan of JBeverly Hills, Patric Bradley of Patric Bradley Concepts, Farouk Shami of Farouk Systems USA.
DINAH LEFRANC
For more than 15 years, Dinah has honed her skills as a licensed professional Hair Artist and an educator for 4 years. But she is more than just an artist; she is a collaborator and educator, advocating for texture over race. Dinah firmly believes in the importance of continuous education and hands-on training to truly master the art of creating stunning hair styles.
Her expertise lies in crafting unique custom colors, delivering flawless haircuts, and working with natural hair. Dinah is also well-versed in caring for transitioning hair, creating elegant formal styles, and catering to bridal parties. Additionally, she excels in editorial styling, fashion show presentations, and the art of glamorous extensions.
Dinah Lefranc is not only a talented Hair Artist but also a passionate advocate for texture over race in the beauty industry. She firmly believes that every individual's hair should be celebrated and embraced, regardless of their racial background. As an educator and platform stylist, Dinah takes great pleasure in showcasing her exceptional skills, particularly when it comes to working with natural hair.
Dinah's dedication to her craft goes beyond creating beautiful hairstyles. She strives to educate stylists on the importance of understanding and appreciating the unique textures and needs of different hair types. By breaking down barriers and challenging traditional beauty standards, Dinah aims to create a more inclusive and diverse industry.
By sharing her knowledge and expertise, Dinah hopes to empower stylists to create stunning styles that enhance their clients' natural beauty.
ADRIEN SMALL
Adrienne Small is an internationally recognized hair color educator and platform artist who transforms technical expertise into compelling brand stories. With nearly two decades of experience, including roles as a Bumble and Bumble educator and Celeb Luxury brand ambassador, she specializes in creating innovative educational programs that resonate across markets. As the founder of Hair Color Concepts® Academy and Magazine, Adrienne delivers cutting-edge color education through multiple channels, while her work with the Texture vs. Race Collaborative showcases her commitment to inclusive beauty practices. Her unique ability to blend technical mastery with commercial appeal, combined with her Master Cosmetology Instructor license, makes her an invaluable partner for brands seeking to elevate their educational initiatives and market presence.
KIA STERLING
Kia Sterling is a highly respected editorial hair stylist, texture specialist, educator, and influencer known for her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry. With over 30 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industries, and Philadelphia Pa based, Kia travels globally to educate on the latest trends in runway and editorial hair, as well as creative wig making and design.
Kia has established herself as one of the most in-demand hairstylists and educators worldwide, making a significant impact in the fashion and beauty realms. Her signature "rock and refined" style has graced the pages of renowned fashion publications such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Allure, and L'Officiel, as well as television and advertisements for major brands like Maybelline, Avlon, and the Tony Awards. As a respected fashion and beauty expert, Kia has been featured as a guest editor and artist in numerous publications, where her insights, tips, and expertise are highly regarded.
She is also a platform artist and collaborative coach for Texture vs Race, an educational movement emphasizing that "Hair is a fabric not a race," and promoting diversity and inclusion in hairstyling.
Kia is also a New York Fashion Week vet, working backstage with some of the most elite teams in fashion. She's currently a stylist on the legendary Guido
Palau's styling team. Kia is also the lead hairstylist for Philly Fashion Week where she leads a team
of 50 plus hairstylists on how to execute the hairstyles for the runway. Kia's salon experience ranges from boutique to high fashion, encompassing precision cutting, custom coloring, flawless extensions, wig making, luxury hair care, couture styling, and texture specialization. She prioritizes healthy hair and continuous education in her approach to styling, which she imparts to her clientele at Hairtique Color & Design in Philadelphia. Balancing her roles as a session and salon hair stylist, Kia finds fulfillment in sharing her passion for creating beauty with individuals from all walks of life who embrace the #KiaSterlingHair lifestyle. She believes in diversifying artistry to keep one's career fresh and exciting, and lives by her motto: evolve, inspire, create, and share, while actively engaging in philanthropic
endeavors.