Fatou Diouf a Senegalese hairdresser in Tennessee has been fined over $16,000 in after breaking a law which restricts employing workers who do not have a government licence to braid hair.
Diouf has been braiding hair her whole life and works professionally as a licenced natural hair stylist in Tennessee.
Hair braiding for her is a love that has brought her joy and remittances to support her family back home in Senegal. It’s also a means to support herself and her two children.
“I never did any other job but hair braiding my whole life,” she said. “I cannot recall a time when I did not.”
Fatou, who got divorced recently from her husband has been forced to pay $16,000 in fines to the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
Though braiders are free to work without a license in almost half the US, Tennessee law dictates only licenced “natural hair stylists” may earn a living by braiding, twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending or locking hair.
She now pays $830 per month to the Tennessee government under a payment plan for her most recent violations. She laments that payment is very stressful.
Diouf has become one of the most outspoken voices for reform. Alongside the Institute for Justice and the Beacon Center, Fatou has testified in favour of a bill that would eliminate the state’s licence for natural hair stylists—and the Board’s basis for fining braiders.
“We can create more employment if this bill passes,” she said.
The Institute for Justice is demanding nearly $100,000 in fines levied against dozens of braiders and more than 30 different natural hair shops and salons since 2009.
All are for unlicensed braiding; none were triggered by any health or sanitation violation.