Nationwide — Aaliyah Alicia Thompson was diagnosed with autism at age 5. On her 21st birthday, she made history as the first young Black woman with autism to open a Locs & Wicks bar in Georgia. At 22, while most of her peers were searching for jobs, she shocked a room full of adults by purchasing commercial property in Jonesboro, Georgia. And now, she is 25 years old and celebrating 4 years as a CEO, property owner, and educator.
WATCH: The moment that went viral – “Everyone was surprised that I am only 22 with autism buying a commercial property” – Thompson walking into a closing with a dream and walking out with a deed.
Aaliyah comments, “I didn’t just open a shop. I bought my future. Autism is not my limitation; it is my strategy. I see details others miss. I focus when others quit. That is why I own at 22. On my 25th birthday, I am not just celebrating me – I am opening the door for every child with autism whose parents were told, ‘it will be hard.’ Hard is where we win.”
Why her story matters now
• Representation: Less than 2% of commercial property owners are Black women under 25.
• Autism Economy: 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism. Less than 15% are taught entrepreneurship. Thompson is building the pipeline herself.
• The School With a Purpose: Her Aaliyah Alicia Thompson Beauty School – housed inside her own building – runs exclusive weekend trade classes for KIDS with autism and ADULTS with autism looking for a second-chance career. No other beauty school in metro Atlanta does this.
Her resume at 25
• McDonald’s Change Leader 2023 – 1 of 10 in the U.S., honored with Keke Palmer at AfroTech
• Featured in Essence, Black Enterprise, SHEEN Magazine, Rolling Out, Yahoo, Atlanta News
• Star of Tubi’s “Lights, Camera, Friendship on the Spectrum”
• Monthly national media coverage inspiring parents of children on the spectrum•
About Aaliyah Alicia Thompson Beauty Bar + NAI
Founded on August 30, 2022, on her 21st birthday, Aaliyah’s Locs Studio and Beauty School is proof that a diagnosis is not a destiny. 184 North Avenue, Jonesboro, Georgia. Enrollment is open. Follow the movement on Instagram @aaliyahbeautybar__nail_school
Also be sure to visit her salon at 7952 North Main Street, Jonesboro, Georgia.
Aaliyah is available for in-studio interviews, live tours of her commercial property, and birthday celebration coverage at her Jonesboro location. Virtual interviews available.
For press inquiries, contact 470-919-3201