‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’: Awa Diagne opens braiding shop in South Fulton amid permit battles

Diagne (above) immigrated from Senegal over 30 years ago in search for a better life. Since then, she married, raised six children, and supported her family by braiding hair. Photo courtesy of Awa HairAwa Diagne was on the verge of opening her braiding shop, Awa Hair, in South Fulton when the city council denied her permit just to shield a nearby salon from competition.Rather than let her American dream fade away, Diagne filed a lawsuit with the Institute for Justice (IJ) in August. Recently, a judge ruled the city improperly denied her the permit and was ordered to issue her the permit.Diagne immigrated from Senegal over 30 years ago in search of a better life. Since then, she married, raised six children, and supported her family by braiding hair.In 2021, Awa moved to South Fulton with her family but intended to continue running her shop in downtown Atlanta, however, tragedy struck. The day after she moved into her house, her husband was admitted to the hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19.He never came home.Photo courtesy of Awa HairWithout her husband, Diagne could no longer run her business in downtown Atlanta. As the sole provider for her family, she said she...