So who is Joy Akaegbu-Cleveland? Why is her name so long? And hmmmm, where did Cleveland come from?

My full name is Ebere Joy Akaegbu-Cleveland, I hail from Lagos, Nigeria. I am the baby of 10 from my biological parents who currently reside in Lagos, Nigeria. I moved to the United States at fifteen, in pursuit of a better life for myself and a better opportunity for my family. Prior to moving to the States, I played basketball as an extracurricular activity with the goal of getting a scholarship to play basketball and get a better education in the States. I prayed and worked hard towards that goal and it became my realization in 2013. The emphasis on education has always been a priority in my household. At first, my family had a problem with me playing basketball because they thought it was a distraction. And anything that distracted me from school or hindered me from passing my classes with flying colors was forbidden. To an extent, I was not allowed to keep long hair enough to be braided due to the tight tension possibly being a distracting factor from focusing on school. With all this, you would think both my parents are master's degree holders, but that’s not the case. In fact, my mother only finished the primary/elementary level of education, and my dad, well he did graduate with a degree from the University of Lagos State, became a police officer at some point, and a security guard of the Central Bank of Nigeria where he then eventually became a senior staff. My mother, the one with the lowest educational background in the family, was the smartest, bravest, and breadwinner for a while when my father fell into tough times. She managed to put all 10 children through school on her own. And we all finished some higher level of education. I embraced my mother’s hustling spirit and relentless pursuit of greatness, drawing inspiration from her deep-rooted determination. I am the first in my family to move to the United States. 

 

Upon arriving in the States, I was picked up from the Spokane, WA airport by my host parents, who later became my legal guardians, and now, my adoptive parents. And this explains my other last name, Cleveland. My adoptive parents are literally a blessing to me and my biological parents knew it and feel indebted to them. Both my biological and adoptive parents paved the way for the woman I have become today. My adoptive parents stood by me throughout every step of my basketball and academic journey, providing unwavering support and unwavering love. As many athletes can confirm, sports can be the toughest challenge you'll face, pushing your physical, mental, and emotional boundaries to the limit. I never experienced feelings of depression, panic attacks, or other mental disorders until I moved to the States and 

was coached by different individuals who abused power on several occasions. Nevertheless, basketball played a pivotal role in my journey, paving the way for me to become a professional hairstylist, product formulator, and entrepreneur with strong leadership abilities.

 

 I leveraged my athletic skills in basketball as a means to fund my education. In 2022, I graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine, where I earned my master's degree in Public Policy while serving as a member of the women's basketball team. Despite these notable achievements, my heart ached with the absence of my family from Nigeria during my graduation, as immigration hurdles prevented their presence. Likewise, since coming to the States, I've been unable to visit them back home, encountering similar immigration barriers. It has been a journey marked by bittersweet moments. 

 

JAC Hair and Beauty, LLC  emerged in 2021, shortly after I completed my collegiate journey at the University of California, Irvine. This brand served as my rock and escape mechanism during my toughest times, especially when I battled with self-doubt and despair as a basketball player. It gave me a sense of purpose, shining a light on the beauty in my own personal struggles, hardships, triumphs, and the shared narratives of others. Every facet of this brand was crafted with boundless love and compassion. The essence of JAC Hair and Beauty is to embrace, lend an ear, inspire, uplift, and embolden, all while exalting the unique beauty of our clients. It's a sanctuary where we don't just enhance outer beauty, but the beauty in your story is realized. 

 

Interacting with over a thousand incredible clients has deepened my understanding of the profound connection we share with our hair and how it profoundly influences our self-expression but most of all, how it enables us to connect with others. I have always been told that I am destined to be a healer. Up until this day, I still don’t know what that means. But then again, God uses his people in several unique ways. I am sure you have heard the saying “Hairstylists are like a therapist”. I have been blessed to have clientele who not only trust me and my expertise, but confide in me, and share their thoughts, feelings, and personal stories with me during appointments. Over the years I have developed a strong bond with most of my clients because I provide more than a hair care service but also a listening ear and emotional support. And at some point, my clients do the same for me. 

 

My relationship with most of my clients is so tight that it feels like they're not just customers, but more like extended members of my own circle of friends and family. On July 16th, I poured my heart into a short production film, aiming to celebrate the profound beauty within the strength and vulnerability of women, especially black women. We’re so often painted as unbreakable, formidable, and fearless, yet what often escapes notice is the grace in our imperfections and the strength in our vulnerability. It’s a profound truth that strength doesn’t equate to enduring beatings or the weight of thrown stones just because one can bear it. I’ve heard “You are a strong woman” countless times it made me wonder at some point, why does being strong feel so weak? Yet I couldn't show any weakness because it would be misinterpreted as mental weakness or me not being tough enough. But I know better now, and I know that true strength lies in the ability to reveal weakness, to let tears fall when they must. 

 

All the models in my short cinematic production are cherished clients. Tracy Choate, a client herself,  wrote a heartfelt poem about my journey while I braided her hair in my living room, drawing inspiration from our discussion and my painting 'Africa Within Her’; named by Solee, another client. Another cherished client, Brandi Williams beautifully recited the poem in the production video. And while I watched Aleah Crew dance to the poem, my eyes were filled with uncontainable tears as my best friend Alia McCoy stood by my side comforting me. It was a moment of liberation and freedom. Each dance step spoke to every fiber of my being, conveying a simple yet powerful message: “The pain is over, you don’t have to hurt anymore. This is the beauty of your story”

 

“Africa Within Her”' is a painting I did in my living room as a means to let go of the pain and trauma I have dealt with in silence and in a dark hole. I was a slave to depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, all because of basketball. The sport at the time I thought gave me everything but stole my joy from me. The painting encapsulates the essence of wisdom, strength, and freedom, while also embodying the profound beauty that emerges from my experiences of pain, struggle, adversity, and life's intricate journey. It serves as a reminder to me that there is beauty in my story regardless of the twists and turns of life’s journey. 

 

With two degrees already under my belt and a third one on the way, if someone had told me I'd create a career in the beauty industry, I'd have questioned it. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, I recall my early attempts at learning hair braiding alongside my elder sister and a childhood friend.  I struggled to master the art of cornrows. My sister and friend would hide their techniques, often teasing me for my funny-looking French braid. However, my breakthrough moment came one day while observing my professional braider cousin at work. Suddenly, it all clicked, and I grasped the intricacies of braiding. I eagerly put my newfound skills to use by regularly visiting an elderly woman's home, and braiding her hair for free every week. I owe much of my hairstyling expertise today to her, as those early experiences shaped my path in the industry.

 

I've always been deeply fascinated by natural hair, seeing it as a unique feature that not only enhances a person's attractiveness but also carries its own story and energy. Hair is a big part of our identity and boosts our self-confidence, yet it's often overlooked. This is where I stand out as a hairstylist. I have a deep understanding and respect for hair, and I'm committed to its care, believing it deserves as much love as the people it graces. This belief inspired me to create Magic III hair care products, aimed at addressing issues like hair loss, growth, thickness, and scalp health. 

 

In retrospect, my journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, learning, and following one's passions. The essence of my message is to illustrate that within the pain, the struggles, and the adversities, every facet of your story has a unique and extraordinary beauty. Do not let anyone tell you, or make you believe otherwise. 

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