Two Chapman sophomores create hair business

Sophomores Ashley Robinson (left) and Tamara Morris (right) created a hair styling business, Hair at Chapman, after experiencing difficulty finding stylist options near Chapman. Photos courtesy of Robinson and Morris

As of 2019, Black people comprise just 2.1% of the population in Orange County. As of fall 2020, just 1.8% of Chapman’s undergraduate students were Black. The lack of representation can manifest in issues both large and small-scale — one of which involves a lack of access to proper Black hair styling.

Tamara Morris, a sophomore psychology major, said she and her friend Ashley Robinson — also a Chapman sophomore — were frustrated at the lack of options. 

“(Ashley) lives in Inglewood, so she’ll go all the way home just to get her hair done,” Morris said. “My aunt and uncle live in the Rialto area, so I had to drive 45 minutes. It’s very inconvenient and I hated it, because you’re wasting gas and money going all the way home just to get your hair done.”

The two decided to take matters into their own hands.

Morris and Robinson created a hair styling business, Hair at Chapman, ran through their Instagram @hairatchapman. Those interested can book appointments through private messaging the account. The business offers various styles for Black hair, including box braids, faux locs and passion twists, and welcomes all hair types for French braiding and other styling.

As they struggled with going home every time they wanted a styling, Morris and Robinson started doing each others’ hair to save time and effort — surprised by how quickly they were able to pick it up.

“It was more so of a convenience for us to get into hair,” Robinson said. “Originally, we were not planning to do other people's hair … We started to do these hairstyles and we were getting compliments, and it was kind of easy.”

Ashley Robinson and Tamara Morris offer box braids, faux locs and passion twist hair styles, among others.

Robinson realized there were other BIPOC students who struggled to find stylists and wanted to help fill that gap.

“I just decided one day that I wanted to start the Instagram page to help other people who were like us,” Robinson said. “I know there may be other students who feel the same way, like maybe they can’t find anybody who does not overcharge in the community area. It was an impulsive decision.”

Imanni Wright, a first-year transfer student majoring in broadcast journalism and documentary, was relieved to discover the business. When she comes to campus next semester, she’ll play for the women’s basketball team, making access to skilled hair stylists especially important to her.

“(Basketball) is also why it was so key for (Morris and Robinson) to be able to do hair,” Wright said. “I sweat so much, and wearing a protective style helps a lot with maintaining my hair and not having to deal with it.”

Wright is looking forward to having a go-to option when she moves to Orange in August. 

“It was reassuring to see that I can get (my hair) done down there,” Wright said. “I’m in the metro Detroit area, which is like the Blackest city in America, so I have no issues. But I was in California last year, and in terms of finding a braider, it is hard. Especially in Orange County, because there are not a lot of Black people in Orange County.”

Robinson is excited to provide Hair at Chapman as a resource for all students, regardless of hair type.

“We don’t discriminate,” Robinson said. “If there are people who want us to braid their hair or do anything with it, everyone is welcome.”