Tower District salon builds loyal Fresno following with gender-affirming haircuts
For Jackelyn and Monica Madrigal, Color Me Chula is more than a business. The Mexica-owned salon in Fresno’s Tower District is a love letter to queer culture, Latinidad and the Central Valley towns that shaped them.
The married couple opened their Tower District salon during the pandemic and dreamed of creating a space that felt like a home for people whom may often feel out of place. The salon, known for its gender-affirming haircuts, has cultivated a loyal customer base and space where marginalized community members feel safe being themselves.
“We wanted it to feel very homey, very familiar, welcoming,” said Jackelyn Madrigal. “We’ve incorporated a lot of artwork that reflects Mexican culture, Indigenous culture, and our queer culture as well.”
Monica Madrigal grew up in Del Rey, a small farming town southeast of Fresno. Her childhood was shaped by single-parent struggles, long summers sorting apples in packing houses — and a deep desire to help others.
“I was in constant labor jobs my whole life,” Monica said.
For a while, she dreamed of becoming a social worker, especially after experiencing the foster care system. But, with bills to pay, school never felt like a realistic option.
Jackelyn Madrigal came from Firebaugh, raised in a ranch where she tended goats and chickens and played in the dirt instead of with Barbies. A natural artist, she dreamed of attending art school and becoming a professional painter or curandera — an Indigenous healer. She got accepted into a medical program in Santa Cruz, but had to stay home after her parents suffered a medical emergency.
Monica and Jackelyn Madrigal met years ago in Fresno. Jackelyn was drawn to Monica before they realized they had mutual friends on social media.
“I was waiting for her to have a bad day so I could be her listening shoulder,” Jackelyn said.
Fourteen years later, they’re still partners in love, life and business.
During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, both women discovered they were immunocompromised. Jackelyn was overworked, stressed and stuck in jobs that didn’t allow her to thrive creatively or emotionally. Monica, always the more practical one, wanted to become her own boss.
“We started putting things together and — oh shoot — it’s a business,” Monica said.
What started as a survival hustle soon became Color Me Chula.
At Color Me Chula, customers are greeted with vibrant colors, Mexican pop art, political posters and walls that echo with laughter. Some customers say it reminds them of their grandmother’s house.
“We were selfish. We kind of designed it for us,” Monica said.
Some loyal customers describe Color Me Chula as the home of one of the largest queer Mexican art collections in Fresno, and clients often bring trinkets or art pieces to contribute to the space. Color Me Chula’s name is a playful twist on “Color Me Mine.”
The art reflects not just Mexican and Indigenous traditions, but queer iconography and a theme of resistance. A woman once peeked through the window after walking past Color Me Chula, and stepped inside. She later returned with a portrait of Frida Kahlo. “You need a Frida,” she told them.
“We wanted it to feel very homey, very familiar, welcoming,” Jackelyn said. “Activism can manifest in different ways. You don’t always have to be shouting in the street.”
At Color Me Chula, a haircut can serve as a form of affirmation. Especially for queer and trans clients, sitting in Jackelyn or Monica’s salon chair is about more than aesthetics.
“Hair can feel like a ball and chain for some queer folks,” Jackelyn said. “Some parents don’t allow kids any autonomy.”
That’s why gender-affirming haircuts were a priority from the start.
“Jackie was the first to start doing gender-affirming cuts in our community,” Monica said.
They stress that they are not here to assume your gender here. This space is built so you can speak your mind, be yourself.
The couple believes activism doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. After President Donald Trump won his second term and fear rose across immigrant and queer communities, the duo began encouraging clients to connect with organizers and share resources.
Color Me Chula also challenges the norms of traditional salons by prioritizing hair education.
“We’re a teaching salon,” Monica said. “You’re going to get to know your hair.”
The education is something Jackelyn has enforced at this salon.
“Like a dentist, I can tell when you haven’t been following the routine,” she said.
They’ve made it their mission to reach people who often feel overlooked. Queer folks, BIPOC clients, Spanish speakers and anyone made to feel “othered” in more conventional spaces is welcome at their salon. They’re not interested in becoming a trendy salon for influencers — they’re here to build community and joy
“You don’t have to be rich or famous to help your community,” Monica said. “You can create a ripple.”
This story was originally published July 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
