WASHINGTON (WUSA9) — Shun Pittman's whole career is hair. She deals with all types of hair and textures.
Just over three years ago, Pittman left her job at Regis Corporation. She spent 15 years educating stylists in other salons. She now owns her own salon, Corps d'Elite in the heart of U Street. Her mission, like so many stylists is to make people feel good.
Now, Pittman is on a new mission. Coming home to D.C., Pittman said she was surprised to see that salons were so segregated.
"Why aren't stylists working with hair? It's what we do and it has nothing to do with the color of the skin. Ever since then, that's been my mission," said Pittman.
Pittman's salon is one of D.C's only late night beauty bars. It features a makeup line developed by Pittman, as well as late night blowouts.
It's a place she hopes her stylists will be able to learn some of the things they don't teach in beauty school. The gap in salons right now is one she believes starts with education.
"I think the segregation starts at the beauty school levels because beauty schools are somewhat still segregated. It's something that has to change," said Pittman.
The gap is one she knows won't close overnight, but she hopes it's something she can at least change in her own salon.
