Velázquez Reintroduces Bill to Promote Textured Hair Education and Training

WASHINGTON— Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) reintroduced the Texture Positive Act of 2025, which will incentivize educational training in cosmetology schools across the country to increase the number of trained professionals with knowledge of working with textured hair. The term “textured hair” means hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy in its natural state.
 
“Too many people with textured hair walk into a salon or onto a set and feel overlooked because so few professionals have been properly trained to care for their hair,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “This isn’t just an equity issue. It’s a gap in professional training that limits opportunities for both clients and stylists. The Texture Positive Act will help bridge that gap by supporting partnerships between experienced minority- and women-owned businesses and cosmetology schools to build a more inclusive and skilled workforce.”
 
The textured hair industry in the United States is worth around 2.5 billion dollars, yet cosmetology schools are not required to train their students to care for it. The Texture Positive Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to allow states to award grants to minority or women-owned businesses and nonprofits that have experience with providing textured hair education, partner with cosmetology schools, and implement a more inclusive education and training program.
 
In 2020, a Hair Bias Report study conducted by TRESemme revealed that 86% of Black women surveyed had challenges finding consistent and quality service at salons. These challenges ranged from difficulty finding a stylist who can care for their hair texture to facing blatant bias and discrimination in the salon chair. The study also found that 65% percent of the hairstylists expressed wanting more training on working with textured hair — it was 70 percent for white stylists.
 
The Texture Positive Act of 2025 is co-sponsored by: Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and Linda Sanchez (D-CA), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
 
The Texture Positive Act of 2025 is endorsed by Youma’s Beauty and the Professional Beauty Association (PBA).
 
“The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is grateful to Congresswoman Velazquez and her staff for the introduction of the Texture Positive Act of 2025. This legislation recognizes and validates the need for texture hair care education and training. Our members throughout the country appreciate the attention to this long-standing challenge and embracing the beauty, health, and safety for all individuals with textured hair. The Texture Positive Act of 2025 aligns with PBA and the Texture Education Collective’s work to bridge the texture hair care education gap for students, and licensed beauty professionals. Thank you for highlighting education, training, and access to services equally for all individuals with textured hair,” said Myra Reddy, Director of Government Affairs for Professional Beauty Association (PBA).

“At Youma’s Beauty, we are proud to celebrate the reintroduction of the Texture Positive Act—an initiative we helped craft in close collaboration with Congresswoman Velázquez. This important legislation represents a critical step toward building a more inclusive and equitable cosmetology industry. Our continued advocacy centers on ensuring that all cosmetologists have access to high-quality education that includes comprehensive training in textured hair care. We believe that an inclusive hair curriculum isn’t just about education—it’s about empowering cosmetology professionals, expanding their opportunities, and ensuring that every client receives the care they deserve.” -Moussa and Youma Niangadou, Founders of Youma's Beauty

For a copy of the bill, click here.