Sherita Cherry’s Journey: From Dorm Room Stylist to Beauty Industry Trailblazer

In the heart of Atlanta, Sherita Cherry has woven a legacy that’s as vibrant as the city itself. From styling hair in her Clark Atlanta University dorm to leading a beauty empire, her story is one of grit, passion, and a relentless drive to empower others. As the founder of Genesis Hair Art, Stylists Who Brunch, and Bella Cosmetology and Beauty Institute, Sherita has redefined what it means to be a beauty professional—blending artistry with business savvy to create a lasting impact.

The Spark: A Dorm Room Hustle

Sherita’s love for hair began in the bustling dorms of Clark Atlanta University, where she quickly became the campus’s go-to stylist. Students, faculty, and staff lined up for her transformative touch, but her booming business caught the attention of the Dean’s Office. Threatened with expulsion for driving up utility costs, Sherita’s dorm room salon was shut down. Undeterred, she found her next chapter at Escape Salon, working as a shampoo girl under the mentorship of beauty icon Carol Morrow.

Carol saw Sherita’s potential and took her under her wing, teaching her the art of building a business, winning competitions, and crafting show-stopping styles. Sherita traveled with Carol, assisting with celebrity clients and working as a Paul Mitchell Platform Artist. Those experiences were more than just gigs—they were a masterclass in leadership, preparing Sherita for the global stage. She soaked up knowledge from industry giants like John and Ann Chadwick, Gary Bray, Jean Braa, and Robert Cormeans, living by Carol’s mantra: “If you want to be the best, you gotta be around the best.”

Rising to the Top: Competitions and Color Mastery

After earning her cosmetology license and graduating from Clark Atlanta, Sherita’s career skyrocketed. She dove into hair competitions, training under Maurice Beaman at Escape Salon for international Fantasy contests. With Carol and Maurice’s bootcamp-style coaching, Sherita and her team dominated, often sweeping first, second, and third place. Her talent shone brightest in hair color, and at just 24, she opened Genesis Hair Art in Midtown Atlanta, establishing herself as one of the city’s top colorists.

Sherita’s expertise caught the eye of major beauty brands. She worked with Clairol Professional and JOICO before becoming a Master Color Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems. Traveling the country, she trained stylists while building her salon team. But she noticed a troubling trend: beauty school graduates lacked basic skills like proper haircuts and shampooing techniques. Frustrated by hiring underprepared stylists, Sherita saw another gap—financial illiteracy among beauty professionals. This sparked her vision to create a school that teaches both beauty and business, laying the foundation for Sherita Cherry Institute.

Expanding the Empire: Salons, Celebrities, and Mentorship

In 2010, Sherita opened a second Genesis Hair Art location in Buckhead, later relocating to the New Buckhead. Her client list grew to include celebrities like MaryMary and Letoya Luckett, and she balanced a demanding travel schedule with motherhood to her daughter, Evan-Nicole, now known as “The Hair Guruuu,” a renowned stylist and influencer with over 200,000 followers. Sherita prioritized family, often bringing Evan-Nicole to sets to witness the value of hard work.

Mentoring Evan-Nicole and other stylists inspired Sherita to launch Stylists Who Brunch, a networking platform to guide beauty professionals in branding, marketing, and finance. Her passion for education led to the creation of Bella Cosmetology and Beauty Institute, an online program offered at Tennessee State University and Southern University, providing hands-on training and business courses with certificates upon completion.

Sherita’s influence extends globally. She speaks at beauty shows, business conferences, and youth events, recently leading a Girlfriends Retreat to CosmoProf Asia in Hong Kong. The trip exposed stylists to international beauty trends, and Sherita plans to make it an annual event. Through her ACHIEVE Coaching Systems, she offers online programs to help stylists build profitable salon businesses, ensuring they thrive both behind the chair and in the boardroom.

Overcoming Challenges: Faith, Focus, and Resilience

Sherita’s journey hasn’t been without hurdles. A divorce, single parenthood, and a business relocation left her life feeling chaotic. Despite earning $20,000 a month working just three days a week, Sherita felt unfulfilled—her money lacked purpose. Long hours and constant travel meant leaving Evan-Nicole behind, so she began bringing her daughter along. To regain balance, Sherita hired a coach, took money management classes, and created a structured schedule to prioritize stability for Evan-Nicole.

Her faith and HBCU education at Clark Atlanta, with its motto “Find a way or make one,” anchored her. Growing up in a small town with few minorities, Sherita carried insecurities, but her HBCU experience instilled confidence and purpose. Once she got focused, opportunities multiplied. Today, she lives by goals, achieving them one by one, and credits her success to resilience, education, and unwavering belief in herself.

Genesis Hair Art: A Legacy of Excellence

Since 1994, Genesis Hair Art has operated on a simple principle: Listen, Understand, Educate, and Deliver. This ethos has earned the salon accolades like Top Hair Color Salon in the South and recognition from former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards for community involvement. Known for corrective color, textured hair, and innovative techniques like color blocking, Genesis has evolved into a full-service salon with braiders, weave specialists, and brow techs.

Sherita’s commitment to education sets her apart. She trains her team to deliver exceptional service, fostering a culture where creativity and profitability thrive. Weekly meetings keep the team aligned, and clients return not just for stellar hair color but for the unforgettable salon experience. Sherita works behind the chair two days a week, mentoring her team to duplicate her excellence while building a system that ensures long-term success.

Atlanta: A City of Opportunity

Atlanta is more than Sherita’s home—it’s her heartbeat. Imported via Nashville and St. Louis to attend Clark Atlanta, she claimed the city as her own after graduation. Atlanta’s southern hospitality, vibrant networking, and support for Black businesses have fueled her growth. From trendy boutiques to world-class stylists, the city offers endless opportunities for those willing to work hard. Her only complaint? The pothole-riddled streets that wreak havoc on tires—a fix she hopes the city prioritizes.

A Vision for the Future

Sherita Cherry’s story is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets purpose. Through Genesis Hair Art, she’s built a salon that’s a beacon of excellence. With Stylists Who Brunch, she’s mentoring the next generation of beauty professionals. And through Bella Cosmetology and Beauty Institute, she’s revolutionizing beauty education, ensuring stylists are equipped with both technical and business skills.

Her journey—from a dorm room hustle to a global influencer—reflects the power of faith, education, and resilience. Sherita continues to inspire, proving that with hard work and a clear vision, you can create a legacy that transforms an industry and uplifts a community.