Charlotte Mensah is widely considered the industry’s leading expert on Black and Afro hair

“A truly diverse society caters for all haircare needs,” says Charlotte Mensah, hairstylist and entrepreneur, who for three decades has been regarded as the industry’s foremost expert of Black and Afro hair. Adored by everyone from Michaela Coel to Janelle Monáe, Mensah’s aim now is to double down on education. “The inclusion of Afro and textured hair on the national curriculum for apprentices creates a breed of stylists ready to deal with all kinds of hair, wherever you are,” she says. Next, she wants to take her expertise global. “My charity, the Love Naa Densua foundation, has partnered with two salons in Ghana, teaching everything from essential skills to customer service. This is something I intend to do more of, not only in Ghana but in other parts of the world.”