Within months of entering a new decade, 2020 was on fire. Between the COVID-19 pandemic forcing millions into lockdown and George Floyd’s murder reigniting civil rights protests around the world, the country was unknowingly facing down a stark dichotomy with lasting implications.
For Brooklynites, those racially charged conversations stirringly echoed ones you might have heard following the killing of Yusef Hawkins nearly four decades earlier. Only this time—because of the whole once-in-a-century global health emergency thing—much of that discussion was happening on X (then Twitter) and Instagram, and, increasingly, on TikTok, or between whoever comprised your social “bubble.”
The outcry to Floyd’s murder was eventually directed at the hiring practices of corporations, which prompted million-dollar social media campaigns and DEI initiatives from Fortune 500 companies, and compelled white employees to send their sympathies via Slack to Black co-workers. The calls for accountability eventually made their way to the creative community as well. Amid all this, hairstylist Naeemah LaFond—a Brooklyn native who’s worked with Miu Miu, Vogue, allure, Ugg, Fila, and countless others throughout a storied career—cut through the noise by publishing on Instagram a no-nonsense outline for how brands could support Black hairstylists.
The now viral guide gained traction and caught the attention of media outlets, igniting even more conversations about the need for education and representation in the beauty industry. The moment set the stage for LaFond’s groundbreaking event, “Texture on Set,” a celebration of textured hair that educates and advocates for hair professionals of color.
As the award-winning stylist plotted her sophomore outing of the event, the pendulum swung back again—away from diversity and inclusion in the (private, public, local, or federal) workplace. But LaFond remains undeterred, returning to her beloved borough to host a second installment with panelists and supporters including Chuck Amos, Tabatha Coffey, and June Ambrose —this time in Industry City.
We caught up with Naeemah LaFond ahead of the latest “Texture on Set” event to discuss the impact of the annual hair show, the ways Brooklyn made her bold, whether anti-DEI sentiments will hold up, and how she once again “made movement” (and delivered even bigger hair).
Courtesy of Texture on Set
Five years after your guide, brands are scaling back on DEI initiatives. How do you think this will affect stylists like you, if at all?
Scaling back is funny to me because they never scaled forward in the first place. Anyone scaling back right now is only doing so because they were never committed to the movement to begin with. The ones who are standing 10-toes-down today are the ones who meant it back in 2020 when they said that DEI was a priority.
Can you share positive outcomes you’ve noticed because of “Texture on Set”?
“Texture On Set” is deeply personal to me because it fills a critical gap in the professional hair industry. Too often, Black models and talent arrive on set only to find that the professionals responsible for their hair lack the necessary skills and knowledge. That should never be the case. More hairstylists began actively seeking texture education, and more models shared that they were experiencing better hair care on set. That’s the kind of progress that fuels me.
Can you talk about your Brooklyn roots, how they’ve shaped who you are, and the way you approach your goals?
Brooklyn itself is a place of culture, movement, and unapologetic authenticity. It taught me to dream big, hustle hard, and never wait for permission to take up space. Growing up in a Haitian household, I was surrounded by strong, resilient, and creative Black women who treated hair as more than just something to style—it was a form of self-expression, pride, and community. That influence is at the core of everything I do.
In addition to being a top stylist and entrepreneur, you have a beautiful family, including your 8-year-old daughter. “Texture On Set” is all about celebrating people—especially women—who look like her. What differences have you noticed in how she sees the world compared to how you saw it at her age?
When I was her age, I didn’t always see people who looked like me in positions of influence—especially in beauty and fashion. But for her, it’s completely different. She’s growing up without seeing limits. She sees herself reflected in so many powerful women—in me, in the women I work with, in my clients, and in the trailblazers who are shifting culture right before her eyes. That’s exactly why “Texture On Set” exists. It’s about making sure that future generations don’t just hope for inclusivity—they expect it.
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