The first day of school was always thrilling for me. It meant a new class, a new teacher, and fresh new binder, a couple of Pee-Chees (if you know, you know), pencils, pens, crayons, and a new outfit or two. I loved school, in particular, I loved elementary school.
I was fortunate. While we were not a wealthy family, purchasing back-to-school supplies and new clothes did not present a budget-breaking hardship for us. That night before the first day of school, my sisters and I laid out our special first-day-outfits and would often sleep with pink sponge rollers so that we would have a few curls in our straight blonde hair.
Now, as an adult with children of my own, I have come to realize what a financial burden back-to-school can be for families who are struggling to make ends meet each month. And four states away, so did Sharon Hill of M Salon in Killeen, Texas.
Sharon left banking back in 2012 to become a hair stylist. Today, she owns and operates M Salon/Monai Beauty in the Killeen Mall. She and her U.S. Army (retired) husband have a daughter of their own, though she is in college now. Sharon had heard of corporations helping families by sponsoring back-to-school haircuts. But, in the words of Sharon, “If you have curly hair, you’re probably going to want braids, not a trim.”
Killeen is a military town with a wonderfully diverse, blended community…and lots of kids with curly hair. Sharon decided that she could help offset back-to-school costs by offering a braid-a-thon. She started back in 2019, and with the exception of one year off during Covid, she’s been going strong ever since.
To ensure this was a team effort, she created a group name of Bell County Beauty United. Each year, 20 – 35 people sign up to volunteer to braid hair, prep hair, and act as runners to address any logistical issues. Sharon selects a day shortly before the first day of school to hold the braid-a-thon. Previously, it was run on a first come, first served basis, but she found that the wait could be exhausting for some of the children and parents. So this year, people will sign up for appointments and specific services (braids, loc styles, barber cuts, ponytails and bows) to organize everyone’s time more efficiently.
The normal cost for braids is around $75.00 per child and the braids typically last for about two weeks, so the kids of Bell County Beauty United get to start school in high style with dignity and pride in their appearance. In a single day, the team will donate their services to about 100-125 students. I asked if all of the students were girls. Sharon said, “Actually, no. I would estimate that 25% are boys. We offer loc retwists for boys with dreads, and also barber cuts.”
Check out this TikTok from Pretty n Slayed by Crystal (@prettynslayed)
@prettynslayed Free braids, styles and haircuts for the kids, sending them back to school Fresh #blacktiktok #tiktokpartner #naturalhair #kidsbraids #braids #backtoschool #naturalhairtiktok #braidstyles #hairstylist #texashairstylist #hair #fyp #foryou #schoollife #braidtok ♬ Da Girls (Girls Mix) [feat. Lola Brooke & Lady London] – Ciara & Lola Brooke & Lady London
Sharon is continually refining the program based on what works well and what does not. One year, the event was located in an event center, but now that M Salon is located in the Killeen Mall, the Mall has welcomed the event with open arms. They have even helped to provide space and amenities for families who are awaiting their turns. As Sharon said, “I think the Mall is happy with the event, because it brings so many people into the mall.”
PlanHero has been Sharon’s partner since 2019. “I found you after doing a Google search,” said Sharon. She’s been using PlanHero for signing up volunteers who also designate the services that they are able to provide. This year she will also use PlanHero to create an additional signup on which the clients can book their appointments and select their services to improve efficiency and avoid having energetic kids waiting around for hours.
So parents are happy, students are happy, stylists are tired, but happy, the Mall management is happy, and the community is happy. What’s not to love?!
We hope this post might inspire others with talent in hair styling to provide similar such services in their own communities. In this time of political turmoil, this is a great way to come together for the betterment of all!
Want to start your own Braid-a-Thon in your community?
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