GREAT MILLS, Md. – On February 7, 2024, St. Mary’s County’s own, Renea Dyson, an award-winning star hairstylist who has worked on numerous movie and TV productions, including the 2023 reimagining of The Color Purple produced by Oprah Winfrey, returned to her alma mater on February 7th to speak at the inaugural session of the Career Conversations Series at Great Mills High School. This new initiative was created and hosted by the school’s Black Student Union (BSU) whose mission is to promote awareness and appreciation of African American history and culture among all students.
LaToya Carroll, the Career Advisor at Great Mills, greeted 50-plus attendees in the school’s auditorium to kick off the series. She introduced the event to an audience comprising Great Mills students who registered to attend during lunchtime including special guests from the community. Among these were Dr. J. Scott Smith, the Superintendent of St. Mary’s County Schools, and Mary Washington from the St. Mary’s County School Board. The day’s program and subsequent career discussions were entirely conceived and organized by the students themselves. The guests are chosen, invited, and interviewed by BSU members with technical assistance from Great Mills students who also attend James A. Forrest Technical Center video production classes.
After the showing of an exciting video of Ms. Dyson’s career featuring thrilling highlights from many of the films she’s worked on including Really Love, Dynasty, Disney’s The Rise, HBO’s We Own The City, Just Mercy, The Color Purple, and more, Javari Dove, Great Mills student and family member, introduced Ms. Dyson who took the stage to a thunderous applause.
Melody Morgan and Aminata Keita, BSU Student President and Vice President, conducted a thought-provoking interview where the students exhibited great poise as they asked insightful questions of Ms. Dyson. Their questions covered her time as a student at Great Mills to her experiences working in Hollywood productions.
In the interview, which also included an audience Q&A session, Ms. Dyson shared her lifelong passion for fashion and hairstyling, recounting how often she assisted her friends in styling their hair for special occasions. She expressed regret that during her school years, there were no programs, like Career Conversations to showcase cosmetology as a legitimate career path. She observed that, in her younger years, there was a significant emphasis on math and technology, leaving artistic disciplines with less support. Faced with the absence of a cosmetology curriculum in high school, Renea encountered a dilemma in choosing an alternative academic and career direction. She decided to pursue business classes and, heeding her mother’s advice, took the Civil Service Test upon completing her education. Not long after her graduation in 1986, she embarked on her career at the IRS, and subsequently, she joined the Department of the Army in Washington, D.C.
After years of setting aside her aspirations to work in government roles, fate intervened in 1996 when the division she worked for was scheduled to move to San Diego. They offered to cover educational expenses for anyone unable to relocate, astoundingly extending this offer to encompass any field of study. Renea finally got the opportunity to follow her dreams by enrolling in Blade’s School of Hair Design in a true moment of kismet. This decision marked a significant turning point in her life as she was finally able to pursue her true passions.
Renea built a strong reputation through operating her own salons, Nubiance Hair Studio in Lexington Park, and Serenity Hair Spa in Hollywood, MD. Her interest led her to a class in New York to study advertising where a pivotal conversation with her instructor led to an introduction to an Emmy-award-winning makeup artist who helped connect Renea with a hair team in Atlanta.
Ms. Dyson shared insights into her work on movie sets, emphasizing the intense yet rewarding nature of the job. She painted a vivid picture of working on a set, which included enduring long days that stretch from 14 to 16 hours, having to be on set two hours before the rest of the production team, adopting styling techniques from various periods that initially lay outside her expertise, and contending with challenging working conditions like the immense pressure of working with a team to get 200 plus dancers ready in under two hours. Despite these hurdles, she expressed that the passion and excitement she feels for her work means it never actually feels like work to her.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life” – Confucius
When discussing the obstacles encountered throughout her career, Renea mentioned facing resistance from her family, especially her grandmother, when deciding to leave a thriving business career for cosmetology. She also highlighted the hardship of relocating from Maryland, where she had a strong support network of friends and family, to Georgia, a place where she had no acquaintances.
Renea conveyed to the students that the most effective strategies she has found for handling challenging situations are knowing when to stand your ground, remaining committed, and continually learning especially the basics. She also emphasized the importance of valuing those who believe in you during moments of self-doubt and who encourage you to do your best.
After the event, an intimate gathering took place in the school’s Media Center, marking a moment of personal connection between Renea and the students present. Renea devoted additional time to engaging one-on-one with those who aspire to follow a path similar to hers. This session underscored Ms. Dyson’s commitment to mentoring the next generation by offering her insights and support. She not only shared her journey but also inspired students to embark on their own unique paths in the industry.
Renea made an unforgettable impression on the students who attended the event, especially those who spoke with her personally. La’trelle Berry, one of the students, shared that his conversation with Ms. Dyson about his ambition to become a Hollywood hairstylist inspired him, as he aims to follow in her footsteps.
The first-ever Career Conversations was a tremendous success. BSU President, Melody Morgan, noted that the event turned out “better than expected”, and she found it “Inspiring that Ms. Dyson used to be a student.” When asked about her thoughts on the event, Mary Washington of the St. Mary’s County School Board, praised the program and described Ms. Dyson and her story as “uplifting, invigorating, and inspiring.”
Renea Dyson’s contributions are prominently featured in the award-winning film The Color Purple, currently showing in theaters, and the MLK biopic, which started airing on National Geographic and Hulu on the 1st of February. Ms. Dyson, scheduled to speak at Spring Ridge Middle School on February 9th, is committed to returning home each year to mentor and guide students in the local area as they plan their futures. This ongoing mentorship and guidance will greatly benefit local students, providing them with invaluable insights and inspiration drawn from Dyson’s successful career. Her involvement offers a unique opportunity for students to learn from a professional who has navigated the challenges and triumphs of a creative industry, empowering them to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination.Great Mills High School and the Black Student Union plan to continue the exceptional Career Conversations series, and are actively seeking to connect with other alumni and community members in a diverse range of professions from Great Mills and neighboring schools. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster a network of support and mentorship, offering students valuable insights and guidance from those who have walked the path before them. By reaching out to alumni and community members, the BSU aims to strengthen its mission of empowering students through education, experience, and personal stories of success and resilience. This call to action is an invitation to former students and community leaders alike to contribute to a legacy of mentorship and support, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is well-equipped to navigate their futures with confidence and purpose.
For those who are interested in being a part of the Career Conversations series, please reach out to Ms. Adrianne Mathis, Great Mills Vice Principal, at: ammathis@smcps.org; or to Ms. Griffis, the BSU Sponsor and Great Mills Art Teacher, at kngriffis@smcps.org. Your participation is warmly welcomed.
This article is a follow-up to The BayNet Black History Spotlight titled: St. Mary’s Own Star Stylist Shines In ‘The Color Purple’
Special Thanks to:
- Ceandra Scott, for providing photos and video editing.
- Jesus Hernandez, student photographer, for providing photos to accompany this article.
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