Conversations with Chatwaka Jackson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chatwaka Jackson.

Hi Chatwaka, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For my journey, this was a faith move as far as my move/journey to LA. As far as my career, I’ve always loved hair and it definitely runs in my family with my Great Aunt Rose and me loving hair as a little girl. I would get into so much trouble cutting all my doll head’s hair by my momma. I always wanted to return to cosmetology school after missing my opportunity while in high school to attend under certain circumstances that were not under my control, but my spot was given away. I then attended a beauty school in Grandview Missouri but something was missing so I decided to give it a break. I ended up leaving home right after high school and moving to St. Louis where I worked in corporate America for over 10 years and was unfortunately let go from that job after trying for years to figure out how was I going to attend cosmetology school full-time and still be able to pay bills. I was able to find a a school that has started offering part-time night classes (Paul Mitchell) school of cosmetology where I took my last check and enrolled never looking back. This opened the door for me to pursue my dream,once I was given the opportunity, I hit the ground running. I’ve always had my hand in the hair industry with doing clients at home doing the students at the program that I work for called St. Louis (jobcorps) doing their proms, doing fashion, shows because it was something that I always loved, and wanted to pursue. While in St. Louis I was able to work with some of the most innovative hair artists in St. Louis while building my career.

I was able to do New York fashion Week, St. Louis fashion week, Harlem Fashion Row as well as numerous photo shoots for various designers that were from St. Louis. By doing this I just continued to grow with my skills . Shortly before I left St. Louis, I obtained my license as a licensed instructor for cosmetology, I tell people that my move was a faith move because which really sparked and grow a fire within me was the movie Wakanda. At the end of the movie I watched the credits to see so many people that looked like me do such a phenomenal film and play so many pivotal roles blew my mind. I would deliberately go and see the new movies and wait until the credits came to see who was the hair and makeup department and assistants and follow their work on social media. This really got me to thinking and inspiring me like , if they can do it why can’t I”? I never knew that Los Angeles would be a place that I would land because if it was up to me, I was on my way to Atlanta. After praying and seeking God my journey will begin in Los Angeles. I connected with a really good family friend ( Mattie Wagner) who gave me some insight as far as what Los Angeles had to offer, what the industry about , because we both wanted to pursue a career in the television film. I moved to Los Angeles in February 2019 and I ended up landing an amazing opportunity as an instructor for the Paul Mitchell School in Sherman Oaks from there which I was hired on the spot. Connecting with different people in the industry whether they came in as clients or students there that were already in the industry that kind of  gave me insight on different avenues to build my portfolio with. I joined a Facebook group that allowed me to connect with local photographers models and other hair and makeup artist to start building my portfolio. Joining that group allowed me to be creative with local photographers models and other hair and makeup artist to start building my portfolio more intensely. Then the pandemic hit, man was that something . I was still an educator at the school and Stateboard Educator. The school would start their online teaching throughout the Pandemic. I definitely took pride in being the state-board educator as well with the continued success of our students passing their exams.

Unfortunately, my time there had expired as I went into a position as my first department head for a film . From there I can say my career started to flourish. I have since been department head for a couple of films. I have clients attend the Oscars, Grammys, Latin AMA as well as worked with some amazing artists, models, music artists, photographers here in LA as well as Atlanta and NYC and be on my first European tour with an amazing art Mariah Angeliq. I am just so grateful for the different opportunities that I have had while in Los Angeles. Traveling and just continue to hone my craft, I want to create spaces that I pour into my peers that are in the industry. That was the number one goal that I had becoming an instructor and eventually join the industry (local 706) Hair and Makeup Union. Being in the industry my desire is to make sure that I can reach back to give those same opportunities that wasn’t gifted to me within my community as far as what was taught in the school that I’ve attended. I have been blessed with amazing friends who have become family that are also in the industry and we hold each other accountable. Having friends that become family like that is definitely been a blessing. What I will continue to do on this journey is to continue to inspire and continue to grow as an artist, believing more doors and opportunities to be open whether it’s in the union, agency or a creative company whatever that looks like, but definitely looking forward to my journey.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the struggles that I definitely can say that I went through as my journey to LA. It was not an easy one is being so far from home. I always will tell people that with me I would always just have conversations with God about this being unfamiliar territory because it really was for me. I have never been this far away from my immediate family and friends. For me this was a different way of life a different way of living. Being up close and personal with different things that were a challenge not having family right around the corner or me feeling like my support system wasn’t there even they were just a phone call away. Adjusting to different adversities within the industry was something that was challenging. I can definitely say things have gotten a little better. I’m thriving to continue to create that change with the inclusion of hair and makeup artists that are diverse in all hair and skin types. This is something that I would always instill with-in my students while working as an instructor will make sure is present in teaching future classes. Let’s not forget the world stopped so dealing with being at home by myself secluded at home dealing with family and friends and unfortunately lost their lives to the Covid  and violence was alot as well. I started therapy during that time that definitely helped me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Licensed hairstylist/instructor. I’m a small business owner of Crown Her cosmetics and accessories that I’m hoping to get that backup and running again soon. I am a published Arthur, I love working with the youth and have my own youth organization that I would hope to get that up and running again as well. I love all things creative and have some great ideas I’m working on. I specialize in all hair types and textures. I don’t know what I’m known for, but I can definitely say my creativity and my willingness to help others grow. I am most proud of the Doechii video that I did “crazy” with the beautiful model Raven Schexnayder. She has an amazing story; you should look her up, lol. That video actually created amazing opportunities which landed a current Nike campaign with Teyana Taylor and a young mentee of hers named Kaelynn Hayes titled “Beyond” oh and yes, a film that I was blessed to be depart head for called “The Blackening” coming to theaters June 16th!!!!! I was gifted that opportunity by a mentor that I look up to Darico Jackson. What I think that sets me apart is that I am always a humble student first, it doesn’t matter if I’m working with a former student or whatever the case is I always go in with the mindset of that I’m learning because in actuality I am, so I always take that perspective when I go into an opportunity just because I know there’s always things that are changing and evolving and I just wanna make sure that my heart posture is in a place of always making sure I’m learning something with who I’m gifted an opportunity to work with.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The main thing that makes me happy is making sure that people are taken care of. If that makes sense, I’m a nurturer at heart and I love to be around creative people. I love mentoring, I love working with people, I love getting to know different people outside of even my profession, I love traveling. I think it makes me happy because I have not always been in a space where my life or circumstances have been the best but I have found that when I’m taking care of someone or making sure people are good or making sure you know people are happy. I get fulfillment in that to see people grow and flourish. I think that’s always a plus for me is to see people excel in what they love and what they set in their heart to pursue.

Contact Info:

• Website: Chatwakajackson.com
• Instagram: HairbyTaka_
• Facebook: HairbyChatwakaj
• Linkedin: Chatwaka Jackson
• Twitter: @TwakaFlaka
• Youtube: Chatwaka Jackson

Image Credits
Jassieuo- IG kanyaiwana -IG Drake Hackney- IG Hellojuliajohnson -IG Bornvizionary- IG debysucha -IG Vp_fotos-IG Meech213-IG