Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy – Getty Images
Harlem’s very own Teyana Taylor was forced to temporarily close her nail shop Junie Bee Nails as a result of vandalism by local teens last weekend. Junie Bee Nails is one of two identified black owned businesses along Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Seventh Avenue in Harlem that are victims of vandalism by a group of unidentified teens.
According to a recent post on the shop’s Instagram page, as a result of the attack, one of the shop’s loyal customers was assaulted. In the statement released on Monday via Junie Bee Nails,’ owner Taylor describes the attack as “disturbing.” “Being a Young Black Female Business owner/Public Figure comes with challenges, obstacles, disrespect, sexism, inequality, gender bias, and disloyalty & the sad reality is it mostly comes from my own people,” Taylor said. Junie Bee Nails is Taylor’s latest business venture.
The ‘90s dream themed nail salon is inspired by her 3-year-old daughter, Iman “Junie” Shumpert Jr. Having been opened for only a year, it is truly disheartening to see this incident occur.
Taylor urges communities to support one another to prevent such tragedies from happening repetitiously. “We are not supposed to destroy our businesses or allow anyone to vandalize them. As a race we are supposed to support each other, uplift, help each other succeed,” said Taylor. Junie Bee Nails will remain closed until further notice.
Check out the full statement below via Junie Bee Nails Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxtSpbxn3P8/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxqs4H2HXX1/