
Black History Month Weekly Features: Meet Tia Moore-Tate
EBS' Black History Month Celebration: An Interview with Tia Moore-Tate
As February comes to our close, so does our month-long interview series. It was our mission over the past month to honor African American men and women who paved the way in the beauty industry.
That’s why in honor of Black achievement, we created a weekly series all month long featuring interviews with successful, admirable, and cutting-edge cosmetologists (who also happen to be Elite Beauty Society customers).
Over the last few weeks, we’ve met educators, specialists, estheticians, and cosmetologists who exude excellence and continue to be pioneers in the beauty industry. They shared their insight, advice, stories, and guidance for future cosmetologists.
And today, we have one more featured interview with one of the shining stars in the Ohio beauty industry. Keep reading to meet Tia Moore-Tate, a leading cosmetologist in Richmond Heights, Ohio, an educator, and an appreciated EBS customer.Meet Tia Moore-Tate: Educator, Stylist, & EBS Customer
Hair has always been a hobby for Tia–so much so that when she graduated high school, she knew cosmetology was her preferred route over a traditional college route. Now, she’s a sought-after stylist in the Richmond Heights, Ohio area, leading the charge in natural hair techniques, specializing in blowouts and silk presses, and helping her clients achieve healthy hair as a whole.

Still behind the chair, one of her biggest roles is specializing as an educator for her clients. She teaches them how to set hair goals, reach them, and then maintain those goals–sometimes going beyond what they thought was possible.
Our Exclusive Q&A With Tia Moore-Tate
What do you think is your biggest achievement or most impactful moment?
I would just have to say just being licensed from the time I started until now. All these years, I’ve been doing that, putting in the work, and learning. That’s the biggest accomplishment. The salon I work for, they’ve been around for 25 years, and they had their anniversary of being in business; being part of that was a huge accomplishment.
What’s something you love about the industry?
Teaching my clients things they want to know as far as hair or beauty, or turning them around in their chairs and making them feel good about themselves. When they turn around and say, “it looks so good, and looks so healthy!” Just building those relationships and friendships and networks.
I have a lot of different clients on their hair journeys. I like to get each client in their own space and figure out their hair goals. When they come back, I love to see them coming back and seeing that progress based on the advice I gave them. We can do it together, we’re building a relationship, and they’re keeping these tips for themselves and can teach other people. It’s rewarding.
How do you feel the representation of African American beauty pros in today’s world has impacted you directly?
I’ve been in salons since I was a kid seeing African American stylists doing their thing–owning salons and booth renting. We’ve always made our mark in the hair industry. We’re the biggest consumers of beauty products, as far as beauty supply stores–I feel like we have a big impact. Braiding, curling, all sorts of things, it’s evolved from Madam CJ walker pressing hair with a comb to flat irons now–the beauty industry has changed so much and evolved around us.
How did you decide that you wanted to take the blowout and hair treatment path?
I used to do a lot of those things, but then around 2008, the natural wave started to hit. My clientele turned into that, and when I paid attention to it, I decided to specialize in it. Focusing on that made my job a lot more seamless; I know what I’m doing all day long. It streamlined the process. My clients changed, and the times changed, and that’s how I decided what I was going to stick with.
For the month of February, how are you going to celebrate Black History Month?
Incorporating things on my page–like Instagram and other social media–and putting facts on my page. I know my kids are going over everything in school, so I’ll be talking with them about Black History Month, going over everything they’re learning.
What advice would you give to a new pro who just graduated?
I would tell them to continue to learn as much as they can. If you do know what you want to specialize in, focus on that–get better at that and master it.
Make it your signature thing and set yourself apart. You have to find something that sets you apart that will make your ideal client gravitate toward you. There are a lot of great stylists that are well-rounded, but I think if you specialize, you can be the expert in that.
Everybody has their thing; some people need a barber, so they got a barber, as opposed to a stylist who does everything. Some people wear weaves, so they’re looking for a weave specialist who’s top-notch and knows what they’re doing. I think a lot of people are looking for a specialist.
Even though our February interview series is over, that doesn't mean the education stops. EBS is constantly dropping interviews and advice from industry leaders! Make sure you subscribe to Elite Beauty Society ASAP to ensure you never miss a moment!