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Legacy of diversity settles in Harford County Mary Paramore
With the relocation of DeChalet Salon & Hair Enhancement Center to a new 1,800 sq. ft. storefront at Harbor Shops on Pulaski Highway in Havre de Grace, a family steeped in a tradition of diversity puts down roots in Harford County. Owner and operator Charlotte Powell holds certifications in non-surgical hair Enhancement, tricology and advanced degrees from the National Beauty Culturalist League. Throughout husband Johnny Powell’s 20 years of Army service, she either worked in local salons or opened her own short-term businesses, as she did when he was stationed at Ft. Bliss in Texas, overseas in Germany and at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). With his retirement and the family’s choice to make Harford County home, the couple decided to close the small, two-station space she operated for the past four years and move to a larger, more permanent space that features eight work stations as well as three stations in private rooms. “At DeChalet, we cater to a diverse clientele,” she said. “For someone who has thinning hair or a scalp disorder or is losing their hair due to chemotherapy, it’s like getting caught without your shirt off for people to see you without your hair extensions.” Johnny Powell works part-time at the salon in addition to a fulltime job at APG. As a certified hair extension specialist, he said, “The hair extensions we offer are personalized to each client. They can be shampooed, shaped, cut, colored and styled.” DeChalet Salon & Hair Enhancement Center offers the typical shampoos, treatments and cuts, as well as permanent waves, relaxers/straighteners, hair coloring and several methods of hair enhancement through weaving and extensions. An employee from Pakistan offers threading, an ancient art that removes unwanted hair for several months. Veterans Affairs hospital case manager Linda Blake has been a DeChalet client for the past two years. She comes to DeChalet every two weeks, working closely with Charlotte Powell to achieve her hair health and style goals. “This shop has been great because I don’t feel like part of an assembly line. I get personal attention,” Blake said. Charlotte Powell added, “At DeChalet, our goal is healthy hair. When Miss Linda first came in, I noticed she was thinning due to excessive chemical relaxers and color. We’ve been on a journey to grow her hair out. I also know what she does for a living, that she has a grueling day, so when she comes I have the music on and some tea ready.” The Powell family was excited to be stationed at APG because, Charlotte said, “It was the first time we were close to my hometown and family.” Charlotte Powell hails from Harrisburg, PA, where her father, Olin Harris, was a pioneer African American broadcaster and community patriarch. The Powells decided to settle in Harford County after Johnny retired to be near Harris, who died of bone cancer in April 2009. According to a front-page article about Harris’ passing in Harrisburg’s The Patriot-News, Harris began his on-air career in 1957. He was a member of the Broadcasters Hall of Fame, received a lifetime achievement award from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters and was named NAACP Man of the Year for is work encouraging youth and his dedication to diversity and racial reconciliation. As a family of color, the Powells are sensitive to the fact that some people may assume DeChalet Salon & Hair Enhancement Center provides hair services for only African Americans. Not so. “I was put on this earth to serve others and that’s what I do. The way we were raised and through the military, we’ve lived and worked with all races and people from various cultures. For us, we embrace this kind of diversity,” she said. Charlotte Powell’s passion has become a family affair, with children Johnny Jr., 17, and Fya, 15, and Darrina, 25, the Powell’s child with special needs, each working to contribute to the success of the business. “With the economic downturn, Darrina lost her job with the Arcadia Glass and Windows, so we decided to teach her job and people skills here, surrounded by family to encourage her to try new things, where she is not afraid to fail,” Charlotte Powell said. Powell’s sisters, Gina Harris and Kirsten Nicole Harris, support the salon with creative business development, publicity and media relations. Charlotte Powell said, “I’d never been outside of Harrisburg until I married. To get stationed here near my father, it was God’s way of putting all the pieces together. I fell in love with the small town feel of Havre de Grace.” DeChalet Salon & Hair Enhancement Center is situated at 1031 Pulaski Hwy. Call 410-939-2760 for an appointment, a private consultation or more information.
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