About Amanda
Born to Braid. Built to Lead.
A 49-year journey from a front porch in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to the forefront of beauty education, workforce development, systems, consulting and franchising. Amanda is the Co-founder of the 1st Black-Owned Online & Hybrid Cosmetology Apprenticeship School in the United States.
The Beginning
Amanda Manigault began her beauty career at the age of eleven years old on her front porch in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as a hair braider. Her parents had no more than an 8th grade education, so she handled all their business matters — reading, writing, managing affairs — and became their little assistant. Through her beauty talents, she became self-sufficient with a desire to lead others at a very young age. Her father built her very first beauty salon in the basement of their home when she was just eleven years old.
Education & Licensure
After graduating high school, Amanda pursued cosmetology for licensing and graduated from Empire Beauty School as a cosmetologist and cosmetology instructor. Since that time, Amanda has never worked another job outside of beauty. She is a licensed cosmetologist and cosmetology instructor in multiple states, a beauty salon and beauty school franchise owner, beauty advocate, school advisor, state exam preparer, beauty product manufacturer, hair braiding expert, and beauty coach and consultant.
Media & Recognition
Amanda appeared on the reality television show 'Cuttin In The ATL' on WE tv as a beauty salon coach. She is also an evangelist, inspirational speaker, philanthropist, and visionary who has lived her entire life building a beauty empire brick by brick. In all she does, God is first.
Her Mission Today
Amanda's main role today is CEO of Black Girl Beauty School of Careers, where she offers traditional, apprenticeship, and online learning platforms in cosmetology and performing arts. She and her daughter Uniquia Manigault — who leads the Performing Arts Division — are the founders. Through the Black Girl Beauty Foundation, she offers scholarships, leadership training, youth development, community outreach, and a national alliance empowering Black women and girls in under-privileged communities.
Advocacy for Black Hair Care
A major focus for Amanda is Black Hair Care education. She advocates for accessibility through online education as a means to eliminate barriers to entry within the beauty industry. She strives to help others gain financial freedom through the world of beauty, performing arts, and business — teaching all phases of hair, skin, and nails while specializing in Black hair care. The Global Black Hair Care Market is projected to reach $15.34 Billion by 2033.
Institutional Program Development
Our Partners
Explore our partner organizations and connect with the programs, services, and opportunities that fit your needs.
Black Girl Beauty School of Careers™
Looking for a career in beauty? Explore professional licensing education, registered apprenticeships, state board preparation, and career-development opportunities.
ADUV Workforce
Interested in creative arts, construction, or skilled trades? Explore workforce training, registered apprenticeships, and employment pathways.
Black Girl Beauty Salon, Suites & Training Center
Looking for professional beauty services or hands-on training opportunities? Book services and support emerging beauty professionals.
Black Girl Beauty Foundation
Looking for scholarships or ways to give? Learn about scholarship opportunities, student assistance, charitable initiatives, and donations.
I Am Uniquia Entertainment Co. LLC
Looking for entertainment or event services? Explore professional hosting, poetry, creative performances, media, productions, and special-event experiences.
Black Girl Beauty Association™
Want to join a professional community created to connect, support, and advance beauty professionals, students, educators, schools, salons, employers, and industry partners? Explore membership, professional resources, networking, education, business development, and industry opportunities.
Institutional Program Development
Bring Natural Hair and Braiding Education to Your Institution
The Amanda Manigault Company helps cosmetology schools, career schools, colleges, workforce organizations, and other training institutions develop and implement structured Natural Hair and Braiding programs.
Our institutional system is designed for schools that want to expand their educational offerings, respond to the growing demand for textured-hair education, and prepare students for career and entrepreneurial opportunities in natural hair care and professional braiding.
Programs may be customized to support short-term workforce training, certificate programs, continuing education, pre-apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, or school-based career education, subject to applicable state requirements.
Through The Amanda Manigault Method™, institutions may receive support with:
- Natural Hair and Braiding curriculum development
- Program structure and instructional planning
- Course syllabi, lesson plans, and learning objectives
- Student training materials and assessments
- Instructor preparation and implementation support
- Practical skills training and competency development
- State-specific program adaptation
- Workforce and apprenticeship alignment
- Student recruitment and program-launch strategy
- Ongoing consulting and technical assistance
Build a Program That Reflects Today's Beauty Industry
Natural hair and professional braiding are no longer supplemental skills. They represent a growing professional sector with opportunities in salon employment, entrepreneurship, education, product development, and beauty-business ownership.
The Amanda Manigault Company helps institutions build organized, culturally relevant programs that respect the artistry of natural hair while establishing clear standards for professional education, safety, sanitation, customer care, and career preparation.
Interested in adding a Natural Hair and Braiding program to your institution?
Discuss your school, state requirements, target students, and implementation goals.
Schedule an Institutional Program Development ConsultationCredentials & Expertise
A Career Built on Mastery
Colleagues & Peers
Those Who Know Her Best
"Amanda has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. We first met in the mid 80's when we worked together for a major Fortune 500 Company in Pennsylvania. During our working time together, she was always dedicated, dependable and reliable and studied cosmetology and styled hair while working full-time. After a short while, she told me she decided to quit working at the company and start her own business. She later relocated to Atlanta and has not looked back. She has been successful in the beauty business and to this day, we remain personal friends and colleagues."
Paula Waters, BS, MS
Human Resources Consultant — Bowie, MD
"You never know the exact date you meet a cousin; you just know they've always been. As a pre-teen my mom noticed my interest in the haircare/styling industry. She sought to cultivate it by connecting me with my entrepreneur cousin Amanda of Amanda's Point of View, one of the hottest hair salons in our city. Over the years, I observed my cousin grow from her local area, relocating to an ever-increasing role, teaching, coaching, and expanding her brand. One of my proudest moments was seeing her on WE TV as a subject matter expert (Business Coach) for entrepreneurs on "Cutting It: In the ATL." As I grew professionally, my cousin supported and encouraged my academic and professional endeavors, featuring me in the Black Girl Beauty group and podcast. Thank you for allowing me to not look far, as greatness lives within my family. As an entrepreneur, I thank you for making space for that little curious girl to grow into a successful entrepreneur, embodying the principles modeled through the Black Girl Beauty brand."
Dr. Ericka Pinckney, LPC, NCC Psychotherapist
Mental Health Professional — Harrisburg, PA
Book Amanda for Your Next Event
Building up women, small business owners, and beauty students and professionals is what Amanda is known for. She's a true motivator who will keep your audience on their toes.