The Texture vs Race Summit (TVR), founded by industry change-maker Keya Neal, announces its return to Baltimore from May 4-6, 2025, at the historic Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum. TVR 2025, powered by scientific intelligence, ushers in a revolutionary era in beauty education: a transformative experience that will redefine artistry in hair. Founded by Keya Neal (@keyaartistically), a stylist of 31 years turned Color Educator and DEI Consultant and coach to beauty brands and salon professionals, Texture vs Race focuses on breaking down the textural and racial boundaries segregating the professional hair industry. Through education and community building, TVR works to create a more inclusive and technically proficient beauty industry.
Texture vs Race Partners with Myavana
In 2025, TVR steps into the future of beauty education by partnering with Myavana, a beauty technology company focused on hair analysis through artificial intelligence.
Who is Myavana?
Myavana is the leading resource in beauty technology designed specifically for hair and scalp analysis. Myavana uses the power of Scientific Intelligence to provide a seamless guide in the healthy hair journey.
What does this mean for the future of education in the beauty industry?
Myavana's revolutionary hair/scalp analysis in conjunction with inclusive beauty education equals a new era in hair mastery and further proves that hair is a fabric.
- The beauty-tech approach to hair will unshackle stylists from texture intimidation by providing an applicable scientific process to hair/scalp analysis.
- Blending the power of AI with cosmetology experience will free stylists from antiquated hair typing systems, which offer broad answers with limited solutions.
- Technology-driven solutions provide immediate, actionable insights.
- In a world where clients seek wellness beauty experiences, the blend of cosmetology intelligence and technology will help stylists identify green alternatives for healthy hair maintenance and styling.
Brand Partnerships for TVR 2025
Texture vs Race is proud to announce its brand sponsor, Innersense Organic Beauty. Innersense Organic Beauty is the leading clean beauty brand in the US. The company's focus on inclusivity and planet-loving green beauty is in sync with the TVR mission.
"The beauty industry is going through a metamorphosis in terms of green, clean beauty, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate that than partnering with Innersense Organic Beauty," says Neal. The Innersense portfolio of products speaks to the spectrum of texture, making them the obvious choice for a brand partner in our Hydro Discovery Clinic."
Other sponsors include:
- Olaplex
- amika
- Blonde Solutions
- NU Standard
- Essations
- True and Pure Texture
- The Doux
- Hair Elements
Educator Lineup for TVR 2025
The summit brings together an exceptional lineup of international beauty artists and educational professionals.
The TVR Collaborative Team:
- Dominique Lyvar (@kingdomofcurls_)
- AJ Small (@aj.small)
- Kia Sterling (@kia_sterlinghair)
- Danielle Giddins (@daniellecgiddins)
- Damalia Majeed (@damaliamajeed)
- Dinah LeFranc (@coiffed_by_dinah)
- Jamez Smith (@iamjmezsmith)
- Angela French (@phrenchmade)
- Ayanna Durity (@thecurlmentor)
Distinguished Guest Artists:
- J Ladner (@itsmrjladner)
- Micheline Barber (@mpactbeauty)
- Corey Paul (@haircoloristcoreypaul)
- Kaye Simpson (@kaysimpsonhairarchitect)
- Ky Smith (@yourhairlossadvocate)
- Verniece Samuel (@shealocs_ceo)
Founder's Guest Appearances by:
- Candace Mitchell of Myavana (@iamcandacevictoria)
- Greg Starkman of Innersense Organics (@gregstarkman)
- Autumn Yarbrough of NU Standard (@autumn_cby)
- Stephanie Luster of Essations (@stephaniejluster)
- Pekela Riley of True and Pure Texture (@pekelariley)
Mastermind Speakers:
- Gordon Miller (@gordnm)
- Kashonna Marrow (@kashonnamarrow)
- Nina Tulio (@ninatulio)
With more leading educators and artists to be announced, this powerhouse lineup represents the industry's most dynamic, innovative voices in beauty education.
"Our goal is to equip stylists with both the technical skills and cultural competence necessary to create truly inclusive spaces," says Neal. "This isn't just about learning to work with different textures – it's about transforming the landscape of our industry through education and understanding."
Revolutionary Educational Formats
The summit continues its tradition of thought-provoking panel discussions and amplifies the TVR Huddles to deepen the conversation. Past panels have tackled crucial industry topics, such as "Products are for PERFORMANCE, not PEOPLE" and "The Highs and Woes of the Black Beauty Brand," setting the standard for open, honest dialogue about industry challenges and opportunities.
This year's panel lineup will once again bring forward pressing industry conversations, complemented by TVR Huddles - intimate, small-group discussions led by subject matter experts, where attendees can dive deeper into specific industry pain points and solutions in a more personal setting.
Signature Hydro-Discovery Curl Clinic
A standout element of the summit is the Hydro-Discovery Curl Clinic, featuring an innovative approach where live models share their hair journeys before, during and after their transformations. This unique format begins with models sharing their personal hair stories through an opening panel discussion, followed by hands-on technical education in an intimate salon setting.
What sets this experience apart is the intentional focus on removing barriers, stigmas and misinformation about tightly coiled hair, fostering a space for honest dialogue between the artist and model. The Hydro Clinic offers revolutionary navigational tools, providing a safe space for both technical mastery and cultural understanding. The day concludes with models sharing their transformation experiences, cultivating powerful moments of connection between stylists and models that continue to impact the industry long after the summit ends.
"The Hydro-Discovery Curl Clinic is more than just a technical training. It's a transformative experience that helps stylists understand the deep cultural significance of working with diverse hair textures, while mastering the techniques needed to serve all clients with confidence and respect," says Neal.
Key Takeaways
Day 1: Industry Innovation & Connection
- Experience cutting-edge demonstrations from leading educators showcasing transformative techniques across all textures.
- Bond with fellow forward-thinking beauty professionals during our structured networking session.
- Connect with TVR brand partners.
- Gain insights from powerful panel discussions tackling the industry's most pressing challenges.
- Witness the revolutionary integration of Myavana's AI technology with hands-on artistry.
Day 2: Technical Mastery & Exhibition Experience
- Elevate your skills through comprehensive main stage education from an international lineup of artists.
- Engage in intimate TVR Huddles for deeper conversations about industry pain points and solutions.
- Explore the exhibition hall, featuring demonstrations and education from partner brands.
- Connect product performance to texture needs with guidance from industry veterans.
Day 3: Hydro-Discovery Clinic Transformation
- Participate in a signature hands-on learning experience with live models in an intimate salon setting.
- Develop a scientific approach to texture diagnosis using Myavana's revolutionary hair analysis.
- Master wet-work techniques and dry finishing across diverse hair structures.
- Learn to navigate cultural considerations with confidence and respect.
- Build consultation skills that honor each client's unique hair journey.
- Create safe spaces for dialogue that transform both your practice and your clients' experiences.
Throughout the Summit:
- Gain cultural competency tools that complement your technical expertise.
- Build confidence working with all textures through practical, applicable techniques.
- Network with like-minded professionals committed to inclusive beauty.
- Receive product education focusing on performance, rather than race-based marketing.
- Be part of transforming the industry through education, understanding and innovation.
Secure Your Spot
Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to texture!
Early bird registration is now open. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly, particularly for the intimate Day 3 Hydro-Discovery Curl Clinic, which has limited capacity to ensure personalized attention.
Ticket Options Available:
- Diamond Level 3-Day Experience includes Mastermind with Keya Neal and Esteemed Coaches, Early Access Welcome Soirée, Hair Show and Spotlight, TVR Education Day (Stage and Breakout), TVR Hydro-Discovery Curl Clinic (off-site at a salon) & Diamond Swag Bag
- VIP Level 3-Day Experience includes Hair Show and Spotlight, TVR Education Day & TVR Hydro-Discovery Curl Clinic & Swag Bag
- General Admission Level 2-day Experience includes Hair Show, TVR Education Day & Swag Bag
Secure your spot today and be part of the movement transforming the industry through education, understanding and revolutionary technology. For registration information and to purchase tickets, visit Texture vs Race's website.
