Institute of Ancestrial Braiding

Isis Brantley-Natural Woman

Master natural hair stylist Isis Brantley has been a vibrant spokeswoman for black ancestral culture for over thirty years. A now iconic adorner and educator in the beauty industry, Isis has maintained a presence in her community, as well as established herself as a well-known icon in the struggle for cultural identity for African Americans, after her decade long battle with the State of Texas regarding anti-braiding regulations.

In 1997 Isis was arrested for braiding hair without a license. Although at the time, no laws in the state of Texas required braiders to be licensed, many in the community saw the arrest as an attempt by the state to intimidate underground braiders and subject them to the same requirements as cosmetologists. Isis, who was targeted by the State because of her widespread reputation as one of the best braiders in the state, was not intimidated. A firm believer of constitutional justice, Isis fought for what she believed was a violation of her civil rights by the state of Texas.

Not one to back down from adversity, Isis challenged the state and charged that the art of hair braiding had nothing to do with cosmetology and could not be taught in any existing schools of cosmetology at the time. Consequently, after countless meetings and conversations with state officials, Isis was ‘grandfathered’ in 2007 by the State of Texas and received the prestigious noted honor of being the first natural hair care expert in Texas.

In an effort to establish the movement of healthy hair for black women, Isis has kept her focus on the nexus of cultural beauty, by teaching scores of young black women how to resurrect themselves from poverty by following her lead in the natural hair care business. Educating about more than just natural hair care, Isis is also dedicated to opening the minds of her students and clientele to changing their lifestyles and health habits, by teaching that strong, great looking hair begins on the inside with a proper diet, and linking total fulfillment and growth with the role of spirit in our lives.

While building her business over the years, this Dallas native and mother of five is dedicated to continuing the education of natural hair care. Through her dedication and ambition, she is single handedly known nationwide as Naturally Isis, the guru of Natural Hair Care. Stylist to many clients across the country and including celebrity soulstress Erykah Badu, Isis is deeply involved in building and expanding her business, with the promotion of her hair care products appropriately donned, Sisters of Isis , and upcoming release of three books: Hair Once Sacred, Now Desecrated, Braid Raid, and Olayinka’s Magic Beaded Comb.

It is her ambition, belief in self and gifted hands that allows Isis to lay a solid foundation of ethics and morality for not only her business, but for her children as well; to demonstrate to them what hard work can accomplish fruitful success. Through it all, Isis has unyieldingly maintained her family, its unity, a proud belief in African heritage and has nurtured in her children a will to always stand for what is right. As her divine calling, she continues to extend this unyielding love and passion to her surrounding community and those yearning for natural hair care knowledge across the globe.