Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 10-14-16 Online Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016
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New Salon Prides Itself In Being ‘Natural’
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
When you enter the salons of most hair stylists, the first thing you smell are the chemicals being used. You won’t find that at Sole Koils and Kuts Salon.
The salon will be hosting an open house event this Saturday, October 15th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 5508 North 50th Street, Suite 29.
The owner, Michelle Mitchell, said she’s a natural hair stylist; some- thing unique in today’s industry.
“I noticed there weren’t many styl- ists who specialized in certain kinds of hair care. That’s why I decided if I was going to do this, I had to be unique.
“I left my full time job in 2012, and fully committed myself to the hair care industry.”
Ms. Mitchell said she’d braid hair for family and friends but never saw it as a career.
“I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Events Management. I started an event company, and realized that would take a lot of time.
“Although I’m in the hair care in-
MICHELLE MITCHELL
dustry now, I still plan to do event planning.”
Ms. Mitchell said she focuses on not trying to be like the other salons.
“I have a natural hair salon, and we don’t perform relaxer services. We use no chemicals, and I’m also starting a skin care room with natural products.
“I wish proper hair care techniques were more detailed. Anyone who works with natural hair is self taught,
except for what you pick up from the industry. I’ve done a lot of research, and I try to let my clients know that products that work for some, don’t work for all. We also don’t type-cast people in my salon.”
Ms. Mitchell said she has only one employee working in her salon right now, and she’s looking for men and women interested in natural hair care.
“My clients are individuals, and
we’re all on different journeys. I want them to be comfortable with options. “Some of my clients are in a corpo-
rate setting, and can’t wear a lot of the ethnic styles. There are ways to wear your hair straight without using a re- laxer.”
At the open house, Ms. Mitchell said there will be a lady doing chair massages, and she will be presenting a cold press juice line, as well as serv- ing refreshments and other things.
Zenith Education Group Named Presenting Sponsor For Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival
The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc. (TBBHF) announced last week that Zenith Education Group is its presenting spon- sor for the 17th Annual Festi- val, scheduled for Jan. 12-22, 2017. The festival will host a variety of family-friendly events and musical entertain- ment in celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"We are ecstatic to have Zenith Education Group on board as our presenting sponsor for the upcoming festival," said festival co- chairperson and board mem- ber William Sanders.
"Education is a corner- stone of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, exempli- fied through the numerous free seminars and workshops available during the celebra- tion. Zenith's support of the festival speaks volumes about the company's commitment
to fostering a culture of edu- cation is not only confined to its classrooms but also in the communities it serves."
The highlight of this an- nual event is the electrifying two-day Music Fest that will take place January 21-22 along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa's beau- tiful Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Music Fest pre- sented by Zenith Education Group will feature a stellar line-up of local, regional, and national recording artists. Curtis Hixon Park will be transformed into a market- place of villages that include vendors, authors, educa- tional and cultural activities, and displays highlighting the riches of the African Dias- pora.
"It is a pleasure to attach the Zenith Education Group to this event," said Zenith President/CEO Peter Tay- lor. "For 16 years, the Tampa
PETER J. TAYLOR ...President/CEO, Zenith Education Group
Bay Black Heritage Festival has been one of the premier events in Central Florida that celebrates the rich history and impact African-Ameri- can culture has on our soci- ety. We at Zenith are proud to be part of this year's festiv- ities."
Signature festival events include the 5K Walk/Run for Health, the Heritage Gala, the Heritage Leadership Luncheon at the University Area Community Center, the 11th Annual Heritage Golf Classic at Rogers Park Golf Course, Heritage Youth and Gospel Nights.
Additional highlights in- clude a one-day small busi- ness financial seminar, and the University of South
WILLIAM SANDERS And RUBY JACKSON ...Co-Chairs, TBBHF
Florida Lecture Series, which has hosted rapper, business- man, and activist Killer Mike and renowned journal- ist and producer Soledad O'Brien.
"As the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival enters its 17th year, patrons can expect the same high-quality events and special gatherings that have become the hallmark of the festival," said co-chair- person and board member Ruby Jackson. "It is the hope of the board of directors that the festival is an enjoy- able experience for the entire family."
Many of the festival events are free and open to the public, although some may require pre-registration.
For more information, visit the official Tampa Bay
Black Heritage Festival web- site, www.tampablackher- itage .org.
About Zenith Education Group
Zenith Education Group is a nonprofit provider of ca- reer school training and a member of ECMC Group. Above all, Zenith is driven to help students succeed by pro- viding affordable, quality ed- ucation and training for occupations in demand. Through its Everest and WyoTech schools across the country, Zenith offers diploma and degree pro- grams in the healthcare, skilled trades, business and other fields. For more infor- mation, go to www.zenith.org.