Non profit aims to provide useful skills for kids in the area

BATON ROUGE— Dana Hayes, a Port Allen native and Baton Rouge-based entrepreneur has been a hair stylist for over 30 years.

She is passing that knowledge down to young kids in the area in the form of a non-profit organization.

Hayes created Junior Cosmetology in 2016 where girls ages 7-17 learn the fundamentals of cosmetology. Students learn the proper ways to shampoo/condition, blow dry, braid with or without extensions and much more.

“My mom had her own salon for over 40 years,” Hayes said. “I have been doing hair my entire life. This is the only job I’ve ever had.”

During the summer, Hayes ran a camp for the girls where each participant was provided a mannequin, a stand, styling products and tools.

The classes were held every Sunday in June and July for the different sessions. Hayes said they focused on different topics each class.

“For some of them, it is already financially challenging,” she said. “Some of them may not be trying to go to college but this is definitely a gateway for them to provide for themselves in the future, if that’s what they’re interested in.

“Even if you are not a hairstylist, I know women in different professions who don’t even know how to hold a curling iron,” she added. “It’s a skill they can use for the rest of their lives regardless of whether they become a cosmetologist or not.”

Hayes said Junior Cosmetology is putting on the the first kids only hair show on Dec. 10 in Baton Rouge. The kids will do it all. To be a vendor, sign up here.