Trai's interest in cosmetology is rooted in her past experience of learning how to do theater makeup. She was fond of the makeup section in her school's drama classes, and after graduation, she realized it was something she wanted to do for a living. However, life had other plans for her and she didn't find her way back to cosmetology until after she left her first career.

Trai focuses her attention on client hair, skin and lash health and she believes that an educated client is a forever client. Trai joined the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists as an industry board member.

Dr. Brenda Gould, an assistant professor at Coppin State University, joined the Maryland Board of Barbers in July 2019. She is also a small business owner and author.

She earned a doctorate of nursing practice from Walden University, where her research focused on the readiness of hospital nursing preceptors in healthcare institutions. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Norfolk State University, a master's degree in public administration in health from Golden Gate University, and a master's degree in nursing education from the University of Phoenix.

Dr. Gould was a public health nurse supervisor/manager and also an adjunct at Hampton University, Norfolk State University and Tidewater Community College. She left a public health administrative position to pursue an academic career at Old Dominion University, and later returned to public health administration and resumed an adjunct position.

Nakia Dedmon, the owner of Polished Nail & Skin Care Boutique, is a licensed esthetician and nail technician with over 26 years of experience in the industry. Her love for all things beauty started early in life and blossomed into a career at the age of 14 when she was introduced to doing nails.

Over the years, Nakia has had the opportunity to work for some of the industry’s leading companies as an educator, including Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute, Jurlique and Gelish. Her skills have taken her all over the country and have afforded her the opportunity to work on major events like New York Fashion Week as an on-site nail technician.  Nakia sits on the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists as an industry board member.

Maryland Barber Brian Mcfadden was recently seen helping out Baltimore's homeless community by giving out free haircuts. In this photo, he is pictured setting up shop under the I-83 overpass at Fallsway in downtown Baltimore.

Maryland Board of Barbers Executive Director Erica Lewis contacted McFadden to ask him how he got started as a barber and what inspired him to donate his talents during the pandemic. He replied, "I honestly like giving back to people. I have an open heart and I care for everybody. I wanted to cut the homeless because I felt it in my heart so I did it and I’ll do it again. I never wanted to be a barber but I found the craft to be attractive so I proceeded with graduating from barbering school after I graduated from college."

Now that 2020 is firmly behind us, the staff of the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing hopes you have a healthy and prosperous 2021. As we mark nearly a year of serious disruption to our lives due to the pandemic, we know that no one is immune to COVID-19’s lasting effects.

Besides our daily commitment to providing outstanding customer service, we aim to distribute information about any sources of help we can recommend to our licensees. The ongoing public health crisis has left many of us struggling to recover in every facet of our daily lives. Families have endured the loss of jobs and businesses or the reduction of wages and/or working hours. Savings accounts have been depleted. Many are struggling to pay for housing, debts, loans, education and medical care. Since the pandemic has impacted the financial standing of so many Maryland families, it may be useful for us to share some of the consumer services offered by our agency’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation (OCFR).

OCFR serves as Maryland’s consumer financial protection agency and financial services regulator. They are responsible for supervising certain businesses in the financial services industry to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, including mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, mortgage servicers, mortgage loan originators, check cashers, money transmitters, consumer debt collection agencies, consumer lenders, installment lenders, sales finance businesses, credit services businesses, debt management companies, debt settlement companies, credit reporting agencies, and Maryland state-chartered banks, credit unions and trust companies. OCFR also has a Student Loan Ombudsman to support Maryland student loan borrowers.

OCFR provides resources to Maryland consumers and to the financial services businesses and individuals it regulates by providing timely guidance to industry, information on consumer protections, and investigating complaints of questionable business practices involving supervised financial service businesses operating in the state.

See below for links to resources on OCFR’s website, including resources for COVID-19 financial relief programs:

COVID-19 Consumer Resources
COVID-19 Industry Resources
COVID-19 Financial Relief Guide for Marylanders (pdf)
Maryland Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights (pdf)
Maryland Student Loan Ombudsman (pdf)
What Account is Right for You? Account Ownership and Survivorship (pdf)
"Pay Day" Loans: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Consumer (pdf)
Debt Management Service Providers: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Consumer (pdf)
Check Cashing Services: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Consumer (pdf)
Reverse Mortgages: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Homeowner (pdf)
Foreclosure: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Homeowner (pdf)
Información para los propietarios de vivienda de Maryland (pdf)