'We just know the art of braiding and want to help out.' Volunteers teach about ethnic hair

Kelly Harvey of Clinton adopted her daughter Mara, who is Black, when she was a little under two years old.

Harvey had participated in several trainings on how to care for a foster child and was confident until she realized that one subject was missed -- maintaining ethnic hair.

“When you get a child of a different ethnicity you have to learn how to properly care for them all around and hair care was something I was struggling with," Harvey said. "Being white, I didn't know the best hair products to use so I knew I needed to call in the professionals or get someone who was knowledgeable of the culture to teach me."

To Harvey's surprise that someone turned out to be a group of women who not only were willing to style Mara's hair but teach Harvey techniques to care for it too. The group, Girls Glory, is based in Springfield and caters to children of parents who can't afford to get their hair styled or don't know how to maintain it. The parents also learn how to braid.

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"I knew there was a need in that community but I didn't want to overstep my authority so I decided to start a program that would help do their hair and teach so it could be something we do together," said Girls Glory founder Jaleesa Davis. "I'm so proud of Kelly for wanting to get the resources because it really takes a community to build these girls up, and I'm glad she came early since the younger they come, the earlier they grow in self-esteem."

Girls Glory offers free hair braiding services to girls under the age of 18 once a month and the braiders are local women who volunteer their time.

“Everyone who comes signs a waiver that lets them know we are not licensed braiders, we just know the art of braiding and want to help out any way we can," Davis said.

Girls Glory braider Kaila Gillespie said she wanted to participate in the program because she saw the issue with hair maintenance in children early on while working at a high school.

"I would often see kids come in week after week with their hair not done and it made me feel bad because I know every girl wants to feel pretty and I knew that had to affect how they felt about themselves. Before I had kids, I had no experience doing hair whatsoever but then God gave me girls so I had to learn."

Mara, who is now five years old, has commuted from Clinton to attend Girls Glory for three years. Harvey said the program has even helped her biological daughter Amelia understand the realities of her sister.

"It used to be me and Mara’s thing but Jaleesa told me I could bring Amelia too for a girls' day. We live in a predominately white town so Mara’s often the one who sticks out," she said. "The first time Amelia got her hair done and we got in the car she said 'Mommy was that for Black girls? Was I supposed to come?' and I said no they're allowing you but I'm glad you can see the difference in how your sister may feel being regularly surrounded by white people. So now, (Amelia) likes to get her hair braided too."

Harvey said at Girls Glory events there's usually a waiting room with games and coloring activities to keep the girls busy until time to get braided. Once in the room, the girl's hair is styled as parents talk and learn from the stylist.

"If you go to a Girls Glory event immediately after the girls get their hair done, they get a level of sass, they're looking in the mirror smiling, and you can tell they feel beautiful," Harvey said. "I can do twists, I can braid, and I've got my hair products straight now so I've just learned so much."

Girls Glory events are typically hosted at Davis's nail salon, Glaze Nail Salon, with four volunteer braiders who service an average of 10 clients per month. Davis said her goal for the future is to secure a location separate from the nail salon and offer booths for licensed braiders with the exception of participating in Girls Glory.

“Girls' Glory will always be free... Most of us have natural hair and we know the struggle of caring for it so this is our way of giving back.”

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Girls Glory offers free hair braiding services and techniques