ABOUT US

My Hair is Beautiful is proudly supported by the Arizona Community Foundation. 

Established in 1978, the Arizona Community Foundation is a statewide family of charitable funds supported by thousands of Arizonans. Since inception, ACF has awarded over $1 billion in grants, scholarships, and loans to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies. More information is available at azfoundation.org.

As social media and pop culture continue to emphasize performative behavior, we find that it has become increasingly difficult for young girls and women of color to feel comfortable in their authenticity and vulnerability. My Hair is Beautiful creates a safe space for these youths, encouraging them to be open with their struggles in life, whether it be in the pursuit of their dreams, their journey of self-love, or their quest for acceptance among their peers. With every workshop, we aim to inspire, empower, and educate our youth to not only love what they see in the mirror but also to create careers for themselves. In this, we strengthen our community through solidarity and provide a pool of inspiration and resources to draw from, giving the people of our future the confidence to achieve the greatness they were always destined for.

With your help, we can continue our mission and in being the support that so many of our children need.

Miss Arlette, as she’s known professionally, has been doing this for seven years. She pays out of pocket so the girls and their parents can attend for free. Typically she averages about 35 girls, but on this day there were nearly 75 girls and teens packed into the Pulliam Auditorium at Burton Barr Central Library.

And even though it’s called My Hair is Beautiful, Pender said, “It’s not just about hair. It’s about the all-around confidence level, responsibility, self-awareness, protecting them from bullying — it’s about self-esteem.”

Celebrity hairstylist Arlette Pender treats her clients of all ages like they’re famous when they visit her Scottsdale hair salon.

Owner of “Hairloks by Arlette,” a natural hair salon in Scottsdale, Pender is preparing to leave for Canada around April 27 to do the hair of a famous actress who requested her as a personal hair dresser on set.

Pender specializes in providing natural hair care for Black people who wear their hair in its natural state without harsh chemicals to relax the roots.

You know that auntie that always keeps it real, blesses you with gifts and advice, and loves you unconditionally? Well, Arlette Pender is not only a master pioneer of the natural hair industry, but she also volunteers her time and money to be the auntie to hundreds of girls learning to love themselves. In this episode, listen in to this storyteller share the highs and lows of her personal life and how she figured out a way to help communities feel loved through their hair.