Naeemah LaFond, a powerhouse hairstylist and global ambassador, joins us today to talk about her journey from playing with Barbie hair in Brooklyn to revolutionizing texture education in the beauty industry. She opens up about the pivotal 2020 guide that sparked industry-wide conversations about supporting Black hairstylists, the creation of her game-changing Black On Set mentorship program, and how she built Texture On Set into the must-attend event for professionals.

Naeemah also shares deeply personal stories about her life-threatening health scare that led to an emergency blood transfusion, growing up between East Flatbush and Haiti, and how meeting her husband changed everything about what partnership could look like. Plus, she talks about why community building has become her superpower.

Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. Have you ever asked yourself…“how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 

00:00 Welcome

00:37 The Influence of Crystal Wright

02:11 Early Inspirations in Hair

03:54 Growing Up Between Brooklyn and Haiti

07:34 Finding Love and Support

11:40 Career Challenges and Breakthroughs

14:44 Health Scare and Resilience

21:21 Rising Through the Ranks at Amika

24:16 Becoming a Global Ambassador

26:53 Advocating for Black Hairstylists

32:41 The Impact of Black Squares on Social Media

34:56 The Role of Allyship in Activism

35:53 Immediate Changes and Industry Response

38:25 Creating Black On Set: Mentorship and Masterclasses

50:41 The Evolution of Texture On Set

57:40 The Importance of Community in the Hair Industry

01:00:57 Personal and Professional Influences

Resources:

Crystal Wright’s episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-ep-3-why-you-need-a-business-mentor/id1580081881?i=1000539012807 

Learn more about Naeemah LaFond:

Naeemah LaFond is an internationally acclaimed hairstylist and the 2024 North American Hairstylist Awards Editorial Hair Stylist of the Year. Celebrated for her iconic runway looks and high-profile global ad campaigns, she is renowned for her mastery of all hair textures. As a platform artist and on-air beauty expert, LaFond has played a pivotal role in launching top beauty brands and has trained thousands of professionals across 15 countries, redefining industry standards.

In 2013, LaFond made history as the first Black woman appointed Global Artistic Director for a major international beauty brand, shattering barriers in an industry long marked by exclusivity. She currently serves as the Global Brand Ambassador for Olaplex, one of the most prestigious and innovative haircare brands in the world. A powerful advocate for diversity, she authored a viral guide on inclusivity and co-developed Pinterest’s groundbreaking hair texture search tool. LaFond is also the visionary founder of Texture On Set, the first professional industry event championing texture education in fashion and beauty, and leads Black On Set, a groundbreaking mentorship program transforming the careers of Black women in fashion. She is represented by The Wall Group, one of the most sought-after artist representation agencies in the industry.

Connect with Naeemah:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/naeemahlafond/ 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/textureonset/ 

Website https://textureonset.com/ 

Connect with Delina:

⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠

TikTok @delinamedhin⁠

YouTube @delinamedhin⁠

Threads @delinamedhin⁠ 

Website ⁠www.delinamedhin.com

Get the full show notes of this episode here.