Meet Ebony T. Nichols LCAT, BC-DMT | Entrepreneur, Somatic Mental Health & Wellness Practioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ebony T. Nichols LCAT, BC-DMT and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ebony T., Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Integrity is a fundamental principle. For me, it goes beyond simply being honest. Integrity as a quality allows me to speak my authentic truth unapologetically. If I know that I am acting with integrity and in alignment with my authentic truth, then hopefully, that carries over into my actions, relationships, and experiences with others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am a somatic mental health and wellness practitioner, Board Certified Dance/Movement Psychotherapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, licensed cosmetologist, and entrepreneur. I guess I can say that I have always been doing some kind of body-based healing for most of my life. I began dancing and performing at a young age. In 2003, I opened Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa, and utilizing our mission of “Healing the Community Follicle by Follicle,” my primary focus was to create a therapeutic environment within the Black community. Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa became my genesis for connecting artistic/cultural aesthetic expression, self-care, and psychology.

As a licensed cosmetologist and salon owner, I began to recognize a connection between hair, race, and cultural identity, although I could not name it as that at the time. I then decided to return to school and acquired my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy. I am currently earning my Doctorate in Counseling and Psychology: Transformative Leadership, Education, and Applied Research, where I am continuing my research and work rooted in cultural/race identity, trauma-informed healing care, centering Black Aesthetics of the African Diaspora through cultural movement narratives, non-verbal communication, and somatic-based healing practices. My current work as a somatic therapist and adjunct professor is an extension of my work as an entrepreneur.

As an entrepreneur, I have been a part of various collectives, such as my dance collective, Afro Mosaic Soul Dance Collective, and my research collective, Diversity in Motion Research Collective. I am most proud and excited about these collective spaces because I believe change takes collective action. Most recently, my husband and I started a retreat space. The retreat space feels like an integration and culmination of my life’s work as it answers that cliché question, “what would you do if you did not have to work?”. While we certainly are not at a place where we no longer have to work, having a space for the community to come, relax, dance, be in nature and just be has been one of my proudest achievements.

There were many challenges over the years, but I have learned that while it helps to have a plan, some things do and will emerge from the experience itself. My first business, Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa, turns 20 next summer. I always envisioned a kind of salon cooperative, and during the COVID pandemic, I decided to make that a reality. I have spent the last year transitioning Locks of Nu into a fully collective space between my core stylists/team. In addition, we have begun an apprenticeship incubator program where young stylists can develop their skills in a safe environment that is not only about being a great stylist but also taking care of the hearts and minds of the humans that enter our space. I do this with the hope that what I learned over the years and the knowledge can be passed on to the next generation.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I thrive in collective action, so there are way too many people to name individually, but I would have to start with my mom, dad, husband, children, and grandmother. I have found it essential to note that I am the product of my grandmother’s prayers because it should be understood that it has taken many generations of hopes, dreams, and sacrifices for me to exist as I do currently. I am also in community with such wonderful folx, such as my team at Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa, Afro Mosaic Soul Dance Collective, AYA Creative Wellness, Diversity in Motion Research Collective, and a wonderful community of scholars, change makers, and healers.

Website: Locksofnunaturalhairspa.com ; Ayacreativewellness.com

Instagram: @Locksofnunaturalhairspa @ayacreativewellness

Image Credits
Maria J. Hackett, Rodney Sampson, Stefanie Belnavis