By Elizabeth Vanderau and Winnie Hsu
Medill Reports

It is difficult to find an affordable natural hair stylist in New Orleans. While nearly 60% of New Orleanians are Black, very few salons in the city exclusively cater to women with natural hair. Those that do are often unaffordable or do not offer a full menu of services.  A groundbreaking resolution passed by Louisiana’s Board of Cosmetology may make services in the city and across the state more accessible and affordable.

According to the new rule, stylists in Louisiana must be able to cut textured hair to graduate. It is the first state to do so. Is the natural hair industry in New Orleans about to change? Or is this just lip service?

Medill reporters traveled to New Orleans to speak with hair stylists and journalists about the natural hair industry and the effect of the new rule.

Reporting supported by Alexis T. Reed and LEDE New Orleans.

Liz Vanderau is a Video and Broadcast graduate student at Medill. You can follow her on Twitter @egvanderau

Winnie Hsu is a Video and Broadcast graduate student at Medill. You can follow her on Twitter at @winnieuu0316