About Me
Yasu is a (Point Place) Toledo, Ohio native, educated in the Washington Local School District and reared in the Christian Faith. As a Publisher, Recording Artist and Advocate, Yasu is the Founder of The Yasu Embassy; The Kitchen Salon and The Northwest Ohio Natural Hair & Beauty Expo.
The Yasu Embassy literally the Ministry of Peace and Sound. Derived from her Japanese middle name, Yasuhiko, Yasu is a nick name, popular in Asia and an endearing name from family members. The Yasu Embassy is the umbrella which contains Yasu’s passion and purpose; writing, music and advocacy/ministry.
YASU MUSIC SUITE
Yasu was trained in a traditional school and church setting, singing in a range of choruses, choirs, ensembles and groups throughout childhood and adolescence. Her training includes Jazz, Classical, R & B and Pop with a heart for Gospel. She has recorded with locals Lavola Whitaker, J Anthony and released her debut album, The Imitation of Life in 2008. The album journals some of her most intimate moments in life, experiencing and surviving Domestic Violence. Because it is not an issue the Church widely addresses, it has become a purposeful ambition to educate and spread awareness about this sensitive topic within Churches and Families.
Yasu’s music has ranked in the top 3 on Reverbnation’s local charts and continues to grow around the world. Her music can be heard on iTunes, CD Baby, Youtube, Yahoo music and Amazon.com. She can also be heard on J Anthony’s album, Bow Down-serving as an in studio vocal coach and is singing background vocals for David Ivey from Fred Hammond’s Radicals for Christ Ministry.
THE KITCHEN SALON
With a friend, Yasu embarked upon her natural hair journey in 1997, sharing the experience with other women from that year until present through gatherings, one on one conversations and Meetups. She studied cosmetology in Louisiana and continued studying on her own upon returning to Ohio.
The Kitchen Salon was established in 2007 as a result of a conversation with her husband, Graphic Designer Imani Lateef. He encouraged her to take all the information she had compiled into notebooks and binders and publish her information online through a website, The Kitchen Salon. Upon graduating from Asset’s Business Course, Yasu endeavored to turn The Kitchen Salon into a Natural Hair Care Resource Center, also authoring publications throughout the Toledo area and online.
THE NORTHWEST OHIO NATURAL HAIR & BEAUTY EXPO
In 2011, Yasu founded The Northwest Ohio Natural Hair and Beauty Expo which drew more than 400 attendees and 30 vendors in Downtown Toledo, complete with Workshops, On the spot styling, A Hair Show and Musical and Spoken Word Performances throughout the day.
PRESS
Yasu has been featured in The Toledo Journal, The Toledo Blade, The Sojourner’s Truth, The Toledo Free Press, Game Savvy Television Show, WXUT’s The Session and Transitions, W.O.W Radio, Enoch 7~ Data Frequency Album, and has appeared on many stages throughout Northwest Ohio.
Yasu is available for service in the following areas:
- Natural Hair Workshops and related events
- Vocal Music Performance & Coaching
- Wedding/Funeral Officiant
Speaking Engagements on topics including:
- Domestic Abuse/Violence
- Parenting a Special Needs Child
- Praise & Worship Team Building.
For Booking please fill out our contact form HERE.
Or find us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/yasuembassy
