{"id":72743,"date":"2023-04-24T15:52:45","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T20:52:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=72743"},"modified":"2023-04-24T15:52:48","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T20:52:48","slug":"bsu-presents-the-natural-hair-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=72743","title":{"rendered":"BSU Presents: The Natural Hair Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BY KIERNAN McCARTY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know there are local culturally inclusive hair stylists and personal care options in the Hays area? At first, neither did we. That\u2019s why this is the second year in a row that the members of the Fort Hays State University Black Student Union have done the work to organize and present the Natural Hair Journey at FHSU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BSU officers and organizers, Kadrian Ayarza and Sydney Walker wanted to make sure BSU was inclusive in both this and future events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt means being able to incorporate all types of people into a space,\u201d Walker said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ayarza added they don\u2019t want anyone to feel as though they can\u2019t approach somedony because of who they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven though the main idea of BSU is to promote Black empowerment, it includes everybody and we love to have a lot of involvement,\u201d Ayarza said.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the two professional Hays hairstylists, Leo Vasquez Jr. at Fade Factory and Odalys Escobedo at Loc\u2019d By Odee, each haircare enthusiast was a BSU member; Yazmin Rojas, Starlet Parham, Daniela Salinas, Yessi Hernandez, Sydney Walker, Kadrian Ayarza, and Kerrigan Hutton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They all spent the last month and a half planning and creating educational posters related to different hair care and styling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLast night, we put in three hours to make it all come together,\u201d said Ayarza, who is vice president of BSU. \u201cOur new members had a lot more to add this year, so I\u2019m excited about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After an introduction, participants were asked to check out the presenters\u2019 projects on hair care, where they could learn new bits of information that may not be readily available at chain hair salons. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Yessi Hernandez describes how hair and skin undertones play a part in aesthetics and style when matching and finding shades that suit a person\u2019s overall look. <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Hernandez talked about how it\u2019s important to include both olive undertones and not just red undertones in color palettes when it comes to matching hair and makeup products. One might also learn through attending this event that different hair textures and types often require different maintenance. Braids and locs, for instance, are considered to be protective <\/em>hairstyles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her research, BSU secretary Walker explained instances of how black hair and protective hairstyles have been deemed as \u201cunprofessional\u201d in the workplace, yet anyone educated on black hair and how it must be taken care of would know this is an unfair assessment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA healthy scalp will give you healthy locs,\u201d said Escobedo, an independent loctician in Hays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there aren\u2019t many black people in Hays, Escobedo believes that\u2019s no reason for the people that are here to not have access to a stylist that can do black hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to serve the underserved within the community,\u201d she said. \u201cI think I\u2019m only one of maybe two people who do locs in Hays\u2026 and the closest black hair store is in Salina.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
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Loc\u2019d by Odee is owned and operated by Odalys Escobedo, a professional Loctician here in Hays, KS. She offers beauty, cosmetic, and personal care services for multiple different protective hairstyles. Book her for business on instagram.com\/locdbyodee. <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Escobedo goes on to say there aren\u2019t many quality options, even in the ethnic hair section of Walmart. More information about her business can be found on her Instagram @locdbyodee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vasquez Jr. was representing his business, Fade Factory, which is located at 129 E. 8th St in Hays. As someone who\u2019s been cutting hair for six years, he spoke passionately about his business and was open to answering any questions. When asked about his clientele, Leo said they do undercuts, shaved designs, and sculpting for anyone who likes their style, women included. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of like a one-stop shop,\u201d he said. \u201cWe cut hair from three years old to 70\u2019s.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vasquez Jr. encouraged anyone interested in style, haircare, and even motorcycles and photography to stop by the shop and enjoy their time at Fade Factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ayarza spoke about the importance of being aware of different types of hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have mixed hair, and at TMP, people would always mess with my hair and ask to braid it and such, but if you\u2019re not aware of how to take care of that hair type then you\u2019re not going to do it right or you\u2019ll make it a mess,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a sense of respect to be aware of other hair types.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ayarza joked that because her dad is bald and her mom is white, with totally different hair than her own, neither of her parents knew how to take care of her hair growing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker said she was happy they were able to put on the event, referencing last year\u2019s success and being able to educate people about the event again this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to get the word out there and for more students to attend these events because it\u2019s an opportunity to become more culturally aware,\u201d Walker said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Starlet Parham educates attendees through her research on how locs and braids have often been appropriated by actors and celebrities to mock and make-fun of the black community. \n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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BSU member, Starlet Parham, shows off her two nighttime bonnets that she wears, adding that silk pillowcases are helpful for maintaining hair as well.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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BSU secretary, Sydney Walker presents her research challenging employers\u2019 racial bias in deeming black hair styles as unprofessional and she offers her own favorite hair care products: Blue Magic Super Sure Gro and her nighttime silk bonnet. \n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Local business owner of Fade Factory: Barber & Beauty Lounge, Leo Vasquez Jr., poses with the hair care products he offers right here in Hays; including gels, pomades, creams, hairspray, and many more. Come into the shop on 8th Street for a fresh haircut.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Attendees sitting in on The Natural Hair Journey presentation.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
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Children mix up their own hair conditioner ingredients to take home.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Children mix up their own hair conditioner ingredients to take home.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Presenters of the Black Student Union gathered to begin the presentation.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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BSU members\u2019 presentation posters on different topics relating to culturally diverse hair care and styling. \n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
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BSU Natural Hair Journey presenters and professional hair stylists stand at their tables and talk to attendees, as the event turns into something of a community fair for hair.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
BSU Natural Hair Journey presenters and professional hair stylists stand at their tables and talk to attendees, as the event turns into something of a community fair for hair.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
BSU Natural Hair Journey presenters and professional hair stylists stand at their tables and talk to attendees, as the event turns into something of a community fair for hair.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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