Members of the Yale University community have taken the initiative to address a significant gap in hair care services for Black students in New Haven. A growing number of current and recently graduated students have voiced concerns about the limited access to affordable and quality hair care options, prompting student-led efforts to create supportive resources.
Many Black students face challenges in finding stylists who understand textured hair and offer reasonable prices. For instance, Sanaa Williams, a student and influencer from New York City, reported having to return home to New Jersey to see her stylist. “If I ever wanted my hair in a specific style, I would usually just go back home to my stylist, which is kind of inconvenient,” she explained during a phone interview.
In response to these difficulties, students have established alternatives on campus. In 2024, the Coily Curly Office was founded to provide workshops and distribute products specifically designed for natural hair. Faozia Coulibaly, a student and daughter of a Yale fellow, has also opened her own braiding business, promoting her services on Instagram at @yefa_hair_braiding.
The Coily Curly Office describes itself as “Yale’s only natural hair centered student organization.” They have conducted workshops on cornrows, flat twists, and wig installations, aimed at equipping students with the skills to manage their own hair. Getrude Jeruto, a co-president and founding member, noted that the organization emerged from shared frustrations regarding hair care costs and accessibility. “Everyone’s just talking about how expensive and hard it is to take care of their hair,” she stated.
The Coily Curly Office has successfully partnered with hair care brands to provide free samples to students. Last year, they collaborated with L’Oreal, and this year they have teamed up with Kinky-Curly. However, the organization has encountered difficulties in forming partnerships with local hairstylists, particularly braiders, due to strict policies that can make appointments costly and complicated. Jeruto highlighted issues such as extra fees for late arrivals or thicker hair as barriers that complicate the hairstyling process.
Acquiring hair care products presents another challenge for students. While the upscale beauty retailer Bluemercury offers a range of high-end products, they often exceed student budgets. The Yale Bookstore carries a limited selection of curly hair products, but some prices are notably higher. For example, a popular Mielle hair oil retails at $9.99 at Target but is marked up to $12.28 at the bookstore. Jeruto emphasized that the free samples provided by the Coily Curly Office help alleviate some financial strain for students.
Proximity to reliable hair care services is also a concern. “As far as I know, I don’t think there was a stylist or place that people would go that was walking distance,” Williams shared. Many students resort to using rideshare services or borrowing cars to reach salons, which adds to the inconvenience of maintaining their hairstyles.
Coulibaly, who moved to New Haven from Burkina Faso three years ago, recognized the opportunity to meet the needs of her peers. “I started posting a lot on Instagram, and from that mouth-to-mouth, I started getting some customers,” she explained in a virtual interview. Her first client was a student from her father’s dance class. As she expanded her clientele, she learned more about their struggles regarding hair care accessibility. “Most of them were thinking about how difficult it was to find affordable hair stylists in New Haven,” Coulibaly noted.
Looking ahead, Coulibaly hopes to expand her services by learning how to install wigs for students who wish to wear them. Although she does not envision hairstyling as her long-term career path, she is committed to providing a valuable service to her fellow students.
Previously, a beauty supply store named Beauty Plus operated at 827 Chapel St. but closed over the summer, further limiting options for students seeking affordable hair care products.
As the Yale community continues to develop these initiatives, the efforts of the Coily Curly Office and student entrepreneurs like Coulibaly highlight the importance of accessible hair care solutions for Black students in New Haven.
