Winnipeg Black hairstylists gather to connect, exchange business experiences
Posted February 8, 2026 4:58 pm.
Last Updated February 8, 2026 6:30 pm.
In honour of Black History month, Winnipeg Black hairstylists gathered to celebrate, network and learn from each other Sunday.
At the meetup called “Crown and Community” Black hairstylists shared real experiences through a panel discussion, question and answer session and meaningful conversations.
“I’ve been looking for a space for all of us to come, connect, talk, learn from each other,” Abisola Ojo, CEO, Tressmyr beauty, who organized the event.
“Most of the people here are actually all hairstylists — either they own their own businesses, they work from home or they’re hoping to grow,” Ojo added.
The panel discussion included topics like getting and retaining clients, pricing services, setting boundaries and growing a sustainable beauty business. Three well-known Black hairstylists in Winnipeg took part in the panel.
“The reason I started my business was because there was a lack of knowledge for hair extensions and afro hair, so this is amazing because these ladies don’t have to start the way I did,” Alexis Ojo, CEO, Dark Shugar Hair and Beauty, said one of the three panelists.
“It’s a great advantage you get to learn from people who have gone before you and I think we should keep doing more of things like this,” she added.
Another panelist Sharday Walker, who owns Shar Styles Curls, said, “I think honestly any event bigger or small that brings the community together is important just to motivate and inspire each other and just to have local connections is great.”
For Cilo Hair owner Antoinette Tshibamba, who also took part in the panel, it was about moving forward.
“I’ve been working hard for two years. My clientele has really trusted me over the last two years and I’m excited to show them that I’m moving forward and giving them more,” Tshibamba said.
The event was kept small intentionally to create a safe and welcoming space for authentic connection for beginners and experiences business owners alike.
“Being Black in Winnipeg, we want to celebrate ourselves, we want to stand out, we want to learn from each other and meet each other,” Ojo said.
“In a place like this is very easy to be isolated, so when you host events like this, you’re able to bring beautiful Black excellence into one room,” she added.
