Beauty school: Stylist braids students hair for free at Des Moines elementary
This week, Howe Elementary School turned its school library into a hair salon.
More than a dozen girls have a newfound confidence after getting their hair styled by a professional.
Mae Jackson, the owner of Des Moines' Mae Slays Braids, volunteered her time and hair products to braid the students' hair. Jackson's love for styling hair is more than just a skill; it’s her way of spreading self-love and confidence.
"Hair is literally the first impression someone gets of you," she said. "It’s deeper — it’s about how people perceive and judge you."
This unique initiative is the first of its kind at Howe. The school's diverse student body required a stylist skilled in textured hair to help braid, twist and style hair.
"We have coarser hair. It takes more time, it needs more love. Sometimes it takes an extra hand to help, and I love being that extra hand to help," Jackson said.
The service brings more than just hairstyles to the students. Alyssa Parker, a family student community coordinator at Howe, connects families with vital resources and emphasizes the intention behind it.
"I'm running food pantries. We're helping families with homelessness. We're helping families with food insecurity, so a lot of parts of my job are sometimes heavy. I'm finding resources that are almost like life or death," Parker said. "So I think it's really nice to bring a lighter event like this is just about making the kids feel good."
The hairstyles were of no cost to the students and their families. On average, braided protective styles for kids cost upward of $70 and last for a few weeks.
"This makes me happy. I love to make people happy," Jackson said. "I'm able to help kids feel comfortable with the skin that they are in."
Parker says extra costs, especially cosmetic, are something many of the families at Howe Elementary simply cannot afford.
"This is about maybe taking a load off of the parents instead of it being something, you know, detrimental," Parker said.
Nine-year-old NaShay Zachary can't remember the last time her hair was braided. She chose to have her hair braided into two buns accessorized with multi-colored bows.
"I feel really happy! I love this!" the third-grade student said with a smile.
The school hopes others in the district catch on to the idea and offer it in their buildings.
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