THE “GOSPEL” HAIR EXPLOSION REVIVES AN OLD TRADITION

By Marjorie J. Hurst

On Sunday, December 14, 2003, at 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Springfield, under the capable leadership of Lucille Kennedy, over 100 models will showcase the talents of 25-30 hair stylists. Besides being a showcase of Springfield’s leading hair designers, this theatrical event, coordinated by the talented Tracey Thomas, Regina Evans and Marvis Steele, is a revival of an old tradition.

Lucille’s main purpose in organizing this extravaganza is to do for this new, young group of hair stylists what mentors like Jean Tucker, Mary Bryant and Annie Mells did for the beauticians/hair dressers (as they used to be called) of her generation. Lucille fondly remembers how her very first mentor, Tish (Latisha Allen), whose beauty salon was on Hancock Street, talked to her and encouraged her when she was a teenager just starting out.

That spirit of mentoring continued with Jean Tucker, Mary Bryant and Annie Mells who worked hard to bring the younger hairdressers like Lucille and Mary Tillery and Jessie Mayfield together. Lucille remembers Jean Tucker as “ being dedicated to her profession and always a role model for the struggling Black woman. She kept them cool and made them get along and also made sure that they furthered their education.” At that time, they had over 20 hairdressers who were members of a local chapter, Epsilon Zi Alpha, of the Alpha Chi Pi Omega Sorority and Fraternity, and their motto was, “To elevate the educational standards of the hairdressers.”

So it is in honor of her mentors that Lucille has stepped up to try to do the same thing for this new generation of hair stylists. She, too, believes in high standards and continues to stress that education is key. After 40 years in the business, she knows firsthand that hair stylists are special people called upon to do far more than style your hair. “We touch people and we have to (be able to) say the correct thing to people,” she states.

Hair stylists from all over Springfield were invited to participate in this hair show. And it’s very appropriate that since it is the first of its kind in 15 years, that this hair show is inspired by the older generation, showcasing the talents of a new generation and dedicated to the younger generation--the children. Tickets are on sale at all salons. For further information, you can call 732-4542. n