Clifton Park storeowner encouraging Black women to embrace natural beauty

CLIFTON PARK – For years, Black women have had to straighten their hair to be accepted in most professions and by society. Now, they’re bucking the old norms and refusing to straighten what comes naturally. A Clifton Park businesswoman is helping them.

At Stefanie’s Beauty Supply store in Clifton Park, you’ll notice the hair care products are geared toward a very specific clientele.

Owner Stefanie Thomas knows firsthand how crushing it is to be told you don’t fit in because of your natural hair. It happened to her when she was just a child growing up in Glens Falls.

She didn’t want that for her daughter, so when the pandemic caused her to have to stay at home with her children, she decided to start a business that would empower Black girls and women.

With no background as a businesswoman, she took a risk and says it is paying off in the community and in sales.

Along with Black hair care products and wigs, you’ll find books for kids extolling the virtues of embracing their natural hair and there’s also the "empowerment blackboard."

Learn about what that is, and the positive image it’s working to create by watching the video of Elaine Houston’s story.

MORE INFORMATION: Stefanie’s Beauty Supply