Delaware Youth Braiding Boot Camp Aims to 'Raise the Bar' in Natural Hair Care

Salon owner Jo Lavette Pressey hosts annual camp to teach kids skills and boost industry standards in a state without braiding licensure.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:58am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style grid of colorful hair styling tools like combs and brushes, conceptually representing the hands-on skills taught at a youth braiding boot camp.A vibrant celebration of the tools and techniques that empower the next generation of natural hair stylists in Delaware.Wilmington Today

In Wilmington, Delaware, salon owner Jo Lavette Pressey hosts an annual 'Youth Braiding Boot Camp' to teach local kids the art of natural hair braiding. Pressey, who has over 40 years of experience, wants to not only expose youth to a valuable trade, but also continue raising standards in an industry that doesn't require licensure for braiding in Delaware. The boot camp teaches topics like scalp care, sanitation, and working with diverse hair textures, with the goal of empowering the next generation of natural hair stylists.

Why it matters

Delaware is one of over 30 states that exempts natural hair braiders from requiring a cosmetology license, which can create inconsistencies in training and quality standards. Pressey's boot camp aims to address this gap by educating young people on best practices, while also inspiring them to potentially pursue advanced training or even open their own salons one day.

The details

Pressey's 'Youth Braiding Boot Camp' takes place over a single Saturday at her Salon Ollaé in Wilmington. Around 20 young learners, some sponsored and others paying registration, gather to brush out mannequin heads and learn from Pressey's team of instructors. The camp covers topics like scalp care, comb cleaning, and working with different Black hair textures. Pressey hopes the camp not only teaches valuable skills, but also boosts the self-esteem and career aspirations of the participants.

  • The latest boot camp was held on April 11, 2026.
  • Pressey has been hosting these youth braiding camps for nearly a decade.

The players

Jo Lavette Pressey

A salon owner with over 40 years of experience in the hair industry, Pressey hosts the annual 'Youth Braiding Boot Camp' at her Salon Ollaé in Wilmington, Delaware.

Iyela Pinkston

Pressey's 12-year-old granddaughter, who participated in the latest boot camp and expressed interest in one day running the family salon.

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What they’re saying

“Braiding is, like, a good opportunity for when I get older. And I'm thinking of actually running the shop one day.”

— Iyela Pinkston, Pressey's granddaughter

“I cannot reach out to a lot of these braiders. They're not going to take the advanced classes. So I figured I can start with the youth, the ones who are inspired to become, not only braiders, but anything. The boot camps are considered a gateway for whatever they decide – you're building their self esteem.”

— Jo Lavette Pressey, Salon owner

What’s next

Pressey plans to continue hosting the annual 'Youth Braiding Boot Camp' at her Salon Ollaé, with the goal of inspiring more young people in Delaware to pursue careers in natural hair care and potentially open their own salons one day.

The takeaway

By offering hands-on training and mentorship to local youth, Pressey's boot camp aims to not only pass down a valuable trade, but also raise the standards of natural hair care in a state that currently lacks licensing requirements for braiders. Her efforts highlight the importance of investing in the next generation of stylists to ensure quality and safety in this growing industry.