Local Woman Receives Business License for Hair Braiding Following Legal Action

Editor’s note: The video above is from previous coverage.

It’s a story as New York as the Empire State Building – a fight for your right to do business. This time, though, it’s set against the backdrop of South Fulton, Georgia.

### A New Beginning, Challenged from the Start

After months of legal wrangling, the courts finally ruled in favor of Awa Diagne. She’s a woman with a vision, one that began well over 30 years ago when she first set foot in America from Senegal. Fast forward to 2021, Diagne moved to South Fulton with her family, only to face a devastating loss. Suddenly a single mom, she moved forward, determined to open a braiding salon to support her children. However, a permit roadblock placed by the South Fulton City Council, fearing competition with local salons, put her dreams on hold.

### Legal Odyssey: Maneuvering Through Hurdles

The denial of Awa’s business permit drove her to seek help from the [Institute for Justice](https://ij.org), a nonprofit law firm dedicated to defending individual liberties. In an intense legal journey, the Fulton County Superior Court put down their gavel in favor of Awa, citing the denial as baseless. This ruling echoes a 2023 decision from the [Supreme Court of Georgia](https://www.gasupreme.us), which reinforced an individual’s economic liberty against unfounded competitive protectionism.

### Victory: The American Dream, Alive and Well

With the court’s green light, Awa can now open her dream braiding shop in South Fulton. “I am so grateful that I’m going to be allowed to open my braiding shop,” Awa passionately shared. “It wasn’t easy to keep believing in my American dream, but I’m happy that I kept fighting for what’s right and won.”

### Legal Precedent in Georgia: A Step in the Right Direction

Institute for Justice Senior Attorney, Renée Flaherty, weighs in, stating, “Today’s ruling affirms that economic liberty is alive and well in Georgia.” She emphasizes that maintaining a free-market environment without unnecessary governmental interference is crucial.

### Life’s Twists and Turns: A Hairdresser’s Journey

The journey was neither an easy nor a straightforward one. Just after settling into her new home in South Fulton, Diagne’s husband was hospitalized with COVID-19 and tragically passed away. Despite the adversity, she found strength and resilience in pursuing her livelihood. Her victory, underscored by this court decision, serves as a beacon of hope for other entrepreneurs facing similar hurdles.

This is not just a win for Awa Diagne but a win for the entrepreneurial spirit embodied in every corner deli, bodega, and barbershop, reminding us all that with perseverance, dreams can become reality—whether in the Big Apple or South Fulton.

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