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welcome to the future of hair.

We believe that fighting hair discrimination begins with education and that responsibility falls on the whole industry. We want to play our part in this industry in evolving the standard by giving stylists + consumers alike more opportunity for science-led and accessible learning.

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meet your educators/visionaries

Afope Atoyebi

Afope Atoyebi

Ruka, Head of Product + Trichologist

Afope Atoyebi is a certified trichologist, speaker, and content creator passionate about transforming hair care through science, education, and technology. Her practice focuses on diagnosing and treating hair loss and scalp conditions with customised approaches that include nutritional therapy, prescription products, and advanced regrowth treatments like PRP therapy.

Mary Adekoya

Mary Adekoya

Founder Papachichi Style

Papachichi Style is a London based hairdressing company. It was founded by Lead Mary Adekoya Celebrity Hair Stylist and Educator. She is a qualified hairstylist who is passionate about all things hair!A innovator in the industry, she created KMPG’s  small business of the year winner ‘Pink Hotcomb’ which has since been globally distributed.Some of her clients include Itv, Vogue, Sabrina Elba, Nicki Minaj, Nicey Nash, Jordan Woods, Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model, Celebrity Big Brother, X-factor, Love and Hip Hop, Buzz Feed, Essence, Schwarkopft, Loreal, BBC, Glamour magazine and many others.Mary is a global educator who travels internationally delivering training programs featured around building a 6 figure hair business, bridal and hair extensions.

Stephanie Sey

Stephanie Sey

AIT, Clinical Trichologist

Stephanie is a Trichologist with first-hand experience of hair loss. She is a graduate and member of the Institute of Trichologists.Stephanie has several years experience including working as a Dermatology Assistant in a top skin and hair clinic. Her expertise in this Trichology has been sought after by top publications and she has spoken at many events, forums and on panels about hair loss, scalp conditions and hair-care.

Chrissy Bales

Chrissy Bales

Professional Hair Stylist + Business Mogul

Globally renowned stylist and entrepreneur Chrissy Bales will be teaching how to create her highly sought after glueless wigs. From the theory, demonstration and even the guided practice, Chrissy will be teaching the skills and techniques that have garnered her the international clientele eager to pay for wigs worth over £3,000.

Ugo Agbai

Ugo Agbai

Ruka Co-Founder

Ugo Agbai is the co-founder of Ruka Hair, a brand dedicated to transforming the textured hair industry by providing high-quality, innovative hair extensions and products for Black women. Driven by a mission to make haircare more inclusive, Ugo combines her passion for beauty with a deep understanding of the unique needs of textured hair. Under her leadership, Ruka Hair has quickly become a trusted name, empowering its community through thoughtful products that celebrate natural beauty and authenticity. Ugo’s vision is to redefine haircare, making it accessible, luxurious, and tailored for all textures.

Shayna Dawes

Shayna Dawes

Braid Bar Ldn

Shayna is the owner of Braid Bar LDN, where her passion for creative styling and expertise in intricate braiding has made the salon a go-to destination for unique and expressive looks. With a deep understanding of natural textures and a commitment to celebrating individuality, Shayna combines modern trends with classic braid techniques to bring her clients' visions to life. Her dedication to quality and personal touch has established Braid Bar LDN as a beloved spot for those seeking standout styles and a welcoming atmosphere.

Jonathan da Silva Villareal

Jonathan da Silva Villareal

JDV Hair

Introducing Jonathan, or as we all fondly know him, the magician behind JDV Hair. Whether it’s a sew-in, a flip-over, colouring theory or a silk press, Jonathan is THE skilled cosmetologist to learn from in our sew-ins and undetectable extensions course.He’s created the trends, mastered the techniques and responsible for training some of our favourite stylists working in top salons in the UK. He's served 886 heads this year and counting, who better to take your skills and business to the next level?

Ayanda Soares

Ayanda Soares

House of Hair UK

Ayanda Soares is the founding director of House of Hair UK, London’s leading hair extensions salon for diverse hair textures. Known for transforming not only her clients' hair but also their confidence, Ayanda has redefined the textured hair extension experience with a focus on luxury and inclusivity. From launching her first salon during maternity leave to building a sought-after West London destination, Ayanda's journey reflects her passion for making high-quality extensions accessible to all. With her unique approach to beauty, Ayanda continues to elevate the salon experience and inspire others to embrace their own hair journeys.

Lorna Jones

Lorna Jones

Caring for Hair

Lorna Jones is a qualified Trichologist from the prestigious International Association of Trichologists and the founder of Caring for Hair UK, a London-based clinic specializing in hair loss and scalp issues. With clinical training across Australia, South Africa, Washington, and the UK, Lorna brings a wealth of international experience to her practice. She is a respected speaker at conferences worldwide on hair care and hair loss, and she actively trains new trichologists. Lorna also leads the UK CCCA support group under the Scarring Alopecia Foundation, providing essential support for those affected by Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia, a condition predominantly impacting Black women.

Shannel Watson

Shannel Watson

Ruka, Resident Trichologist at Selfridges Salon

Shannel Watson is a certified trichologist at Ruka Hair, based at Selfridges. She specialises in scalp and hair health, particularly for textured and afro hair.With her expertise, she will lead several educational courses at Ruka, including Foundations: Hair & Scalp Fundamentals, focusing on the basics of scalp care, Consumer: 0 – 100, Not So Quick, which offers an in-depth look at consumer haircare practices, and Consumer: Protective Styling (Beginner Friendly), designed to teach safe and effective protective styling techniques for all hair types.

Kieron Lavine

Kieron Lavine

Celebrity Hair Stylist + Educator

Kieron Lavine is an accomplished hairstylist known for his expertise in textured hair and innovative styling techniques. With years of experience in the industry,Kieronhas become a trusted name for clients seeking creative and personalized hair solutions. His work blends a deep understanding of hair health with cutting-edge trends, making him a sought-after professional in the beauty world.Kieron’s passion for elevating natural hair textures has positioned him as an influential figure in the textured hair community.

Kevin Fortune

Kevin Fortune

Celebrity Make-Up Artist + Hair Stylist

Kevin Fortune is a renowned hair and makeup artist with three decades of experience in the entertainment, fashion, and editorial worlds. Known for his creative versatility, Kevin has styled A-list celebrities such as Kim Cattrall, Michaela Cole, Alexa Chung and Naomi Ackie. His work has appeared in prestigious outlets like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. He is also the founder of the Kevin Fortune Hair Styling Academy, where he mentors aspiring stylists. With a career spanning film, television, editorial shoots, and red carpet events, Kevin is celebrated for his ability to blend traditional techniques with modern styles, bringing characters to life and enhancing beauty with a personalised touch.

Agnes Cazin

Agnes Cazin

Founder of Haiti73, Branding and Strategy Specialist

Hi, I’m Agnes Cazin founder of the Haiti73 agency. I'm a branding and strategy specialist, with a track record in high fashion and beauty brands specialising in branding, marketing, digital strategy and content, as well as events. With over 15 years experience in marketing and consulting, Haiti73 supports the commercial development and visibility of its clients in several countries like France, Belgium, the UK and West Africa.

Kike Ajayi

Kike Ajayi

Founder of Kohlshape, Beauty + Lifestyle Content Creator

Kike AJ is a dynamic content creator known for her engaging content and vibrant personality. With a passion for connecting with audiences through her beauty, hair, fashion and recently motherhood journey, Kike has built a dedicated following across multiple platforms. After becoming a mum, she shifted her hair journey to prioritise hair health, embracing natural-looking styles and ditching lace systems to inspire her audience to celebrate their unique beauty.

Abibat Adesanya

Abibat Adesanya

Ex-Strategy Consultant + Beauty Content Creator

Abibat creates engaging and educational content around Afro textured hair care, beauty, and African culture, sharing her expertise on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Her content empowers naturals to embrace their beauty, express their culture confidently, and fosters a space for learning and growth. As a panellist at the Ruka Hair Pro Academy Mixer, Abibat shares her passion and knowledge of natural hair care and digital influence, drawing from her experience as an advocate and creator in the natural hair community.

Teresa Reynolds

Teresa Reynolds

Hair + Makeup Artist

When we say beauty connoisseur what we mean is Teresa Reynolds. A hair AND make-up artist who’s worked on some of the biggest movie and tv sets but (Nicki Minaj voice) hold on hold on. She’s also the founder of IB youth which offers workshops for young people on the beauty industry and their self esteem. We lay all of this ground work so you can ask the obvious question. What’s not to love? She’s incredible.

Kamanza Amihyia

Kamanza Amihyia

Hair + Make-Up Stylist

Kamanza spent over 10 years touring with Stevie Wonder as his Personal MakeUp Artist, she originally trained in Fashion Design & Illustration at the London College of Fashion where an interest in Hair & MakeUp was sparked. Specialising in Afro / European texture hair and Media MakeUp, Kamanza is the go-to person for consultations on Afro hair textures & MakeUp for black ethnicity skin tones. Between filming projects, she teaches students as well as professionals working in Film, TV and Theatre. Her goal is to continue to create and develop positive training solutions which promote inclusion, equality and diversity within the Hair & MakeUp sector in our industry. Kamanza sits on the board of the British Beauty Council, and BAFTA crew member and is the Chief Hair Consultant & Educator for Lion King-Disney Theatrical Group Europe & CEO of her own company 'Kamanza - Afro Hair & Media MakeUp Essentials'

why Rukapro?

The Ruka Pro Academy is the birth child of all the incredible stylists we’ve encountered. The ones who learnt from Youtube in their bedroom, the ones who grew up and were raised in the salon, the ones who fell into it by pure chance. Thank you for your teaching, your investment in us as a brand and your belief in what we are capable of doing. We’re excited to build this with and for you.

only 0.8% of salons cater to Afro-Caribbean hair.

According to an article in Harper’s Bazaar, only 302 of more than 35,000 registered hair salons in the UK cater to Afro-Caribbean hair.

until 2021, afro hair was not part of the national curriculum.

Today, many current qualifications still have no compulsory requirement for students studying hairdressing to be educated on cutting and styling afro + textured hair.

its time for change.

We believe that fighting hair discrimination begins with education and that responsibility falls on the whole industry. We want to play our part in this industry in evolving the standard by giving stylists + consumers alike more opportunity for science-led and accessible learning.