A group of beauticians and hairdressers ensure that the students are stylishly prepared for their return to school shortly before classes begin.
The 12th Annual Bac 2 Skool Free Hair Day will be held Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Taylor Parks and Recreation Building, 1412 Davis St.
For 11 years, the Braided Faded Crew has been helping students prepare for campus with free hairstyles and haircuts on the Sunday before school starts.
“We’re excited to make sure everyone comes back with a fresh look in the new year,” said Shareeta Fairley, founder of Braided Faded Crew. “When you look good, you feel good, and at the end of the day, you’ll do good.”
Twice in the organization’s twelve years of existence, organizers have had to cancel Free Hair Day, both times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group offers more than just good looks.
“If you need your hair or school supplies, come by and talk to me,” she said.
Although there are no plans to collect school supplies as part of Hair Day, Fairley said she can tell parents where to get help.
Fairley said the children who come for braiding or hair cutting, like many of the crew members, are diverse. She visited Austin, Round Rock, Hutto and other surrounding communities to invite people to come.
In addition to children from different cities, new stylists and hairdressers from outside of Taylor will also help with the event.
Fairley expects to see some new faces this year after interacting with more people outside of Taylor.
“I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to different places so I could continue to tell people that this is for everyone,” she said. “I wasn’t afraid to hand out flyers and talk to parents in the community.”
In addition, she expects crew members who have their own clientele to also show up with a following.
“I just feel like a lot of kids are going to need our services,” Fairley said. “I think it’s good that people are going to get out there and talk about it and bring a lot of people along.”
Longtime members of the crew have moved on to other communities and started similar events, and Fairley said it’s been a blessing to see them expand what started in Taylor.
“I always tell everyone, ‘This is your craft. This is what God blessed you with, and if you see a way to help someone else, do it,'” she said. “You have a craft, so use your craft for good.”
Fairley said there were no events like Free Hair Day in Taylor when she was growing up and it was important to her to give back to her community.
She didn’t expect the annual event to become so popular.
“I never thought it would come to this,” she said.
On February 7, 2022, the Braided Faded Crew lost an important member, Frank Fields, one of the founders and organizers of several of the group’s happenings.
The crew has honored Fields at various events since his death.
“It’s been a great ride and I really hope I’ve made Taylor proud,” said Fairley. “I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would even get this far.”
