“I am a hairdresser in downtown Vicksburg and was going to have a celebration for being in business for 20 years. It was in March 2020, and I thought COVID would blow over, then we got a letter days before my party saying that everything was shutting down.

COVID was hard. We were locked down and basically laid off for four months, but I had to make to pay for food and rent. I live upstairs above my salon and had my clients come in the back door like they were visiting. I kept the lights off and did their hair by lamp. I got through those months and had an even bigger celebration outdoors in the park to have some fun during the pandemic.

The name of my salon is Adorned, which means adding to one’s own beauty. This is the only Black-owned business downtown, and I want it to be a multicultural space. When I have a party, I invite everyone because we have to be all-inclusive. If you put limits on someone else, you are limiting yourself.

My salon is also an art gallery, boutique, and venue where people teach yoga and dance classes. Women spend a lot of time getting their hair done, so I want this to be an enjoyable time where they can get their peace.

When I was young, I adored Diana Ross. She came on stage and acted like she loved everyone. I would put on my mama’s shoes and wrap a towel on my head for hair and pretend to be Diana. I have been this way all of my life.

My nickname is Glam Mother. I am motherly to my clients and get on to them about their hair or when they complain too much about their job. A lot of secrets are shared in my chair, and I don’t tell anyone. Women come in broken by life, family, or relationships, and it’s hard to get back to yourself.

My clients also send broken women to me. Understanding them is part of my purpose because I have been there. My first husband was abusive. Thank God I had someone pouring strength in me and telling me I wasn’t crazy.

My second husband cheated on me. We were married for 20 years and our divorce disappointed a lot of people, but things looked better on the outside than they were on the inside. I lost weight, but I didn’t like the way I lost it. I tell people it was the ‘Some Shit Went Down’ diet. I recognize other women on that same diet.

I had to protect myself and make assertive decisions for future Karen. My therapist once gave me a question for homework: When did you begin feeling you weren’t enough? It took some time to realize she was right. I wrote down enough answering that question for a book, then I got a plan of action for the rest of my life.

Things begin to flow when I let go. I found a trainer and got my body strong. Exercise replaced the pills I took for depression and turned aggression into thinking and creativity. I am about to turn 52. I am happy I get to be the fiery Glam Mother I am supposed to be.

When I was a kid, my mama gave me a doll head that I could use to fix hair and makeup. I played with her all of the time. I was going to be in a parade with our cheer team and wanted to be pretty, so I put that baby doll make up on my face. My face broke out so bad I couldn’t be in the parade. I was devastated, but I found my passion.

This salon and helping women find their beauty has been my dream since I was young. I have to keep making it work.”

Karen
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Karen’s story is a part of a series about the Weavers—people stitching our communities together, solving problems, and showing how to care for our neighbors. Send a message to Our Southern Souls to nominate a Weaver from your community to be featured on Souls.