CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – A seven-stop hair tour made its final stop in the Lowcountry today, offering children free haircuts and back-to-school hairstyles.
J’Carria Vance, aka “Jay Slay,” founder of the nonprofit organization Touch of Love, has partnered with several Hair Depot stores in the Carolinas to give back to the community.
During this tour they were also able to distribute free school supplies, backpacks and food to families.
According to Vance, the overarching motto of this tour is, “Looking good makes you feel good,” as it helps build children’s confidence.
“Their confidence suffers, which in turn affects their grades, and like I said, when you look good, you feel good,” she said. “You hold your head up high and you’re ready to listen. You know there are no distractions.”
During the seven-stop tour, over 750 children received free haircuts and hairstyles and over 2,000 children received free backpacks and school supplies.
Vance says Sunday’s event is close to her heart from personal experience and she knows it can be difficult to ask for help.
“When someone looks, walks and talks like you, it’s a lot easier to say, ‘Hey, can you help me?'” Vance said.
A volunteer who took part in the tour agrees that a new hairstyle boosts self-confidence.
“Looking good definitely makes you feel good,” said the volunteer. “I’m getting my hair done right now and I feel great.”
Vance says her social media platforms are helping to spread this message in the black community and hopes there will be more events like this in the future.
“Educate kids because when they look good, they feel good, and when they feel good, they perform exceptionally well,” Vance said. “We’ve partnered with the stores to promote beauty, but more from the inside out.”
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