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During the 1890s, Sarah Breedlove suffered from a scalp ailment that caused her to lose a large amount of her hair. With assistance from her brothers, Breedlove began experimenting with homemade remedies and store-bought products.
After marrying newspaper salesman Charles Joseph Walker, she assumed the name Madam C.J. Walker and founded a haircare product line. Through sales of Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, she would become one of the first Black millionaires.
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Walker used her wealth to give back and empower the people around her contributions to organizations like the NAACP and YMCA.
A natural gift
Celebrity Master stylist Latisha ”Tish” Summers, a Fayetteville native, is walking in the same footsteps of Madam Walker and living in her purpose. Like Walker, Summers emerged from a harsh environment and overcame obstacles to grow personally and professionally.
Summers, or Shear Diva, hails from Jasper Street, located off Murchison Road, just a block from E.E. Smith High School. As a student, Summers excelled in the classroom and served as the student body president.
She envisioned herself becoming a doctor, lawyer or a judge. However, life had other plans.
While attending FSU, she discovered that some past decisions would hinder her growth in certain fields. Though she graduated, Summers decided to rely on her natural gift, hair care.
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When clients’ hair breaks
Summers has three sisters, so hair care was a necessity in her household. At FSU, she did hair to earn extra. Though her services were in high demand, she did not believe she possessed the patience to pursue an education in cosmetology.
Still, she decided in 2013 to enroll in the cosmetology program at Fayetteville Technical Community College. At Fayetteville Tech, she earned the distinguished honor of Ambassador Scholar and was inducted into the Honors Society. In addition to being a student, she worked two jobs.
As both a student and a stylist, Summers noticed that her client’s hair would break off. She began educating herself on possible causes and discovered that factors such as medication, eating habits and underlying health conditions can contribute greatly to breakage and hair loss.
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Always up for a challenge, Summers began learning about the process of cranial prosthesis: it is the application of a mesh implant unit, or wig, and/or the process of facilitating the growth of natural hair from the scalp.
Overcoming a car accident, creating a new product
Through hard work and her passion for helping others, her client base grew. She began traveling to the Black hair mecca, Atlanta, home of the Bronner Brothers stylists and products convention.
On a trip to Atlanta with Charlise Curtis, a fellow cosmetologist, Summers got involved in a car accident that changed her life. She was left with limited mobility and work restrictions.
She began having doubts about her career. But she persevered and overcame. By this time, the world was in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other stylists, Summers began to innovate and elevate her brand.
As a cosmetologist specializing in natural haircare and hair loss replacement, she understands the harm chemicals can cause in hair.
She used her time during the pandemic to develop the MoGrow Hair Fertilizing System, an all-natural haircare system that includes a Follicle Stimulator and Growth Drops.
Giving back
Like Madam C.J. Walker, Summers uses funds generated from her work to give back to organizations throughout the Fayetteville and Cumberland County area. Diva’s Delights and Cordials, a catering service owned by Summers, sponsors several community organizations and prepares hot meals for the lessfortunate.
Service is not a new concept for Summers. Her parents, Theophilis and Bedelhia Ferguson, have been married for 48 years and instilled the importance of giving back into their children.
That same attitude of selfless service and passion for food was evident in Summers’ niece, Nia. Nia tragically passed away at the age of 4. Her own goal was to own a restaurant called Nia’s Restaurant. In Nia’s memory, Summers and her family continued to serve the community.
Summers is a servant and her Shear Diva brand is rooted in the same attitude She never forgets her Jasper Street roots. However, she does not let it hinder her growth — she uses it as empowerment.
Her work has been featured in national publications such as Universal Salon and Hype Hair. To book Summers, contact her at (910) 882-1579 or follow her on Instagram @Iamsheardiva26.
Salute to Tish and every activist getting active. Peace.
Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com.
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