About Us
Links to Locs is a Black woman founded community initiative, proudly funded by The Pathy Foundation Fellowship. We are dedicated to making Black hair care more accessible, visible, and celebrated in Ottawa and beyond. We tackle the barriers Black people face in finding culturally competent hair services and challenge the racial disparities in the hair industry by connecting the community with trusted and talented, Black-owned hair businesses.
Our goal is simple: every Black person should have access to quality hair care without struggling to find a stylist, paying prices they cannot afford, or facing discrimination in mainstream salons. That’s why we built the most fully stocked directory of Black hair businesses in Ottawa—to make it easier than ever to find the right stylist or barber for your needs.
But Links to Locs isn’t just about hair services—it’s about education, empowerment, and community connection. Our platform shares free knowledge on Black hair care, styling, and maintenance while uplifting Black-owned businesses through our website, social media, pop-up salons, and other community events and programs.
Our Vision
Black hair is more than aesthetics—it’s culture, identity, and self-expression. It holds history, carries tradition, and reflects the strength and creativity of our community. Yet, systemic barriers and Eurocentric standards have long made Black hair care inaccessible, unaffordable, and undervalued.
At Links to Locs, we are reclaiming that narrative. We are building a future where Black hair is celebrated without compromise, Black hair businesses are uplifted without exclusion, and culturally affirming services are accessible without barriers. Through education, empowerment, and economic support, we are creating spaces where Black hair is seen, respected, and deeply valued—because it always has been.
Our Mission
We believe that Black hair care should be accessible, affirming, and celebrated.
Links to Locs exists to bridge the gap between Black communities and the skilled, culturally competent hair care it deserves. By connecting Black individuals to Black-owned hair businesses, we increase visibility for these businesses, strengthen community ties, and contribute to Black economic empowerment.
More than a directory, Links to Locs is a space for learning, inspiration, and celebration. We support every step of the Black hair journey—whether through education, representation, or access to services—so that every curl, coil, and loc is embraced with pride.
Our Values
Empowerment: We uplift Black individuals by providing access to culturally affirming hair care services and resources.
Knowledge Sharing: We are committed to breaking the cycle of gatekeeping in Black hair care. When knowledge can uplift our community, we share it—freely and openly. Through our platform and events, we create opportunities for skilled community members to pass on expertise and techniques to those eager to learn.
Accessibility: Everyone deserves quality hair care. We ensure that Black-owned hair businesses are visible, reachable, and easy to connect with.
Community & Connection: We create spaces for Black folks to find trusted hair professionals and engage in meaningful conversations about hair, culture, and identity.
Pride: We celebrate the beauty and versatility of Black hair in all its forms, challenging hair discrimination and eurocentric beauty standards.
Autonomy: Informed choices create freedom. By providing a comprehensive stylist directory, we help the community access competent, culturally affirming care—without relying on a system that often excludes us. We also equip individuals with hair education so that when professional care is out of reach, they still have the knowledge to care for their own hair with confidence.
A Note From The Founder
“As a Black woman navigating hair care in environments where Black stylists weren’t always easy to find, I’ve personally experienced the frustration of searching for the right stylist, not knowing who to trust with my hair, and encountering salons that turn Black clients away due to lack of training in our natural hair textures. And I’m not alone—so many Black people across the country share the same struggles.
I started Links to Locs because we deserve better. We deserve visibility for the amazing Black stylists in our communities. We deserve resources that teach us how to care for our hair when professional services aren’t accessible. Most of all, we deserve to feel seen, celebrated, and supported in our hair journeys. Through Links to Locs, I hope to close the gap between the Black community and quality hair care, while also creating a space where Black hair is honored and affirmed, not just as an aesthetic choice, but as a deep expression of identity, culture, and self-worth. Thank you for being part of this movement—whether you’re looking for a stylist, sharing knowledge, or just spreading the word, you’re helping make Black hair care more accessible for all of us!”