A hair and beauty salon celebrating ten years in business has marked the occasion with a $1,000 donation to a hard-working Bermuda College student.

Nicole Famous, founder of Natural Blessings Always, commended Selah Ray’s drive in pursuing her studies. “Selah's story is an inspiring one,” Ms Famous said.

“She has shown resilience and has been unstoppable in pursuit of her dreams, goals, and personal improvement.

“As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, it feels natural to celebrate our own growth by supporting this young woman in our community.”

She added: “Like us, Selah has big dreams for the future.”

Ms Famous and her company advocate for natural Black hair, and Selah was among participants in this year’s courses on the topic offered by the salon.

She said the anniversary of the business would also offer a chance to broadcast highlights from her annual natural hair and beauty expos held over the past decade.

It will be aired on Channel 82 on November 20.

Ms Simmons said she began the Natural Blessing movement in 2009 to celebrate “the beauty of natural Black hair and promote self-love, and wellness”.

She added that acceptance of natural haircare had risen while sales of chemical hair treatment dropped “significantly”.

The first hair show for Black women was held at St Paul Centennial Hall, bringing together stylists and overseas experts on natural hair, with classes and tips.

It grew to encompass men’s haircare, health and wellness, and the arts. Local and international performers, African dancers, poets, wellness experts became a part of each year’s event.

She thanked sponsors Northshore Medical and Aesthetics Centre, Gorham’s Ltd, Design Essentials, Argus insurance, Brimstone Ltd, Fort Knox and Central Diagnostics.

Ms Famous said this year’s inaugural broadcast would feature “new haircare segments from local and international master stylists”.

Artists to be featured will include Jamaican reggae legend Luciano.