This Black History Month, we're celebrating the people whose passion, dedication and commitment are making a difference in communities across Manchester.
As part of this year's theme, 'Honouring Our Communities', we met Naomi Brooks, an award-winning hair stylist, educator and founder of The Hair Sanctuary Training Group CIC, an organisation working to improve understanding, education and inclusivity around Afro and textured hair.
With more than 20 years of experience in the hair industry, Naomi has built an impressive career working across television, fashion, advertising and editorial styling. Her clients have included internationally recognised names such as Lauryn Hill and author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
But alongside her work in the fashion and beauty industry, Naomi is passionate about using her skills and experience to make a difference in people's everyday lives.
Through The Hair Sanctuary Training Group, she provides specialist education and practical training in Afro and curly hair care, helping hair professionals, parents and carers develop the knowledge and confidence to care for different hair textures.
At the heart of the organisation is a simple but important ambition: to create a world where everyone can feel comfortable and confident in their natural hair, without facing discrimination or exclusion.
Supporting families through 'Mummy & Me / Daddy & Me'
One of Naomi's latest projects, 'Mummy & Me / Daddy & Me', focuses on helping parents, foster carers and residential care staff understand how to look after Afro and curly hair and Black skin.
For parents and carers raising children from different cultural backgrounds, knowing how to care for their hair and skin isn't always straightforward. Without the right knowledge or experience, even everyday routines can become challenging.
Through practical workshops, Naomi and her team teach essential skills, from maintaining healthy hair and skin to understanding the cultural importance of hair care.
But the project is about much more than learning how to style hair.
By helping parents and carers better understand children's individual needs, the workshops aim to strengthen relationships, build confidence and ensure young people feel seen, valued and accepted.
For children, particularly those in foster or residential care, having their cultural identity understood and respected can make a real difference to their wellbeing, self-esteem and sense of belonging.
The project also brings people from different cultures and backgrounds together, using education as a way to build understanding and break down barriers.
Naomi hopes to expand the programme, reaching more families and carers while providing the tools, products and support they need to put their new skills into practice.
Through her work, Naomi is helping to challenge stereotypes, celebrate cultural identity and create a more inclusive future for the next generation.
This Black History Month, we're proud to honour Naomi and the work of The Hair Sanctuary Training Group in helping children, families and communities feel confident, supported and celebrated.
