If You're Not Part of the Solution. Then You Are Part of the Problem

Now, exactly what does the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology do with the money?

 

 

 

 

I can recall the day and time in my life when the decision came for me to make the transition from a Social Worker to a Cosmetologist. I was working at Youth Re-Entry. I was complaining about the lack of funding, funding cuts and just plain old craziness that was taking place in the field. I remember thinking, "I can't stand this job because the powers that be just don't care. They are stupid." I don't know, but for some reason a little voice in my head responded, " Well if they are ALL stupid, what does that make you?" I was as perplexed as a baby looking at Aunt Bunny making goo goo faces by my inner me. Then the "ah-ha" response hit me and I didn't like what my inner me said; you guessed it...."stupid too." So then I did what everybody else does when they get in a pickle, I prayed to God. "God what do you want me to do? I don't want to be disgruntled. Forgive me for calling folk stupid and God you know I don't wanna be stupid. So God what do you want me to do. What ever it is. I will do it. I won't complain and I won't call people stupid. Put me where you want me and I will be your faithful servant and do excellent work."

Well as you guessed again, nothing profound happened. No jolt of lightening. No angel in the form of a vagabond giving me a million dollars to improve my non profit career. Nope, just the hot sun burning my forehead as I (Thee Director...lol) cleaned the grounds of our office located right in the heart of the ghetto. So there I continued working in the hot beaming sun picking up debris and flinching at every bug and continued on with my Directorship duties (cleaning up garbage was not in any class I ever took in college). Then "it," you know the answer from God came to me in a balled up piece of paper. Before I picked it up, I asked again, "God just let me know and I will do it." I picked up the balled up newspaper, with a bug crawling out of it of course, and there in big bold black letters, it read; WANT A NEW CAREER? TRY COSMETOLOGY.

Now you know, I looked up in the sky and asked God, "Is this a joke. I can't even do hair!" The rest they say is history.

Now that you have the true story of how I became a Cosmetologist. It is obvious my passion for my career comes from a different drive. I grew up afraid of the comb and I never stepped foot inside a hair salon until I owned one.

Being a cosmetologist is totally awesome. As in any field, industry, profession or line of work there is the good, the bad and the ugly. Our industry is not unique with it's share of issues, problems and challenges to grow and maintain good standing with the public and amongst each other as professionals. Here comes the "but."

But the time has come for change. Change definitely has to start with each individual cosmetologist and salon owner. Change also has to start with the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology. While I don't think and out right Coup d'etat (the sudden overthrow of a government by a usually small group of persons in or previously in positions of authority) is a wise thing to do. I do think a united front is over do for licensed professionals, students and concerned individuals/groups to ban together for the betterment of the cosmetology industry. Like everyone else, I have my own two cents to add about the changes I would like to see and how I would like to help implement change. So again, I too am not unique to wanting to see change and help.

As a kid growing up in the hood, we had a saying. "Talk is cheap." We had another one, "Don't talk about it. Be about it." and my favorite of all came from my daddy, "If you ain't part of the solution. You are part of the problem." If any of what I wrote resonates with you, hits home or made you go, "hmm." Please join myself and Senator Shirley Smith (Ohio District-21) to voice your concerns and share your solutions at the "Speak Out for Beauty" Symposium on Monday, September 12th. The symposium is from 10:00-1:30pm. It will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel at 9801 Carnegie, Cleveland Ohio. Please call 614-466-4857 to R.S.V.P

What else can a sista say?