BRATTLEBORO — The Root Social Justice Center will hold a free BIPOC hair clinic for all ages on Saturday, May 27.
As explained in a Facebook post from the racial justice organizing and community group, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color “have a variety of hair types and textures that require hair care that just isn't centered when we live and exist in predominantly white spaces.”
With hair stylists versed in working with BIPOC clients unavailable in the Brattleboro area, “we have to travel far to be seen,” says Shela Linton, the organization's executive director.
The hair clinic will assemble a team of locticians (hair stylists who work on dreadlocks), braiders, barbers, and designers from Euphoric Hair Experience of Rutland; Sheelah's Mobile Braiding LLC, based in Bennington but serving customers in their homes in southern Vermont; and Sarah Kanebi, who moved to southern Vermont in 2020 with two decades of experience as a braider.
The clinic is part of The Root's BIPOC Affinity Healing Series, which draws together “those wanting to be more connected to the people who look like us and the gifts we provide” and “recognizes the different needs, desires and ways we can heal when we are able to come together in a safer space, connect and learn from folks who may share a similar cultural background,” according to the organization's website (therootsjc.org).
“We are almost full for locs and braids, but have barber and designer spots still available,” Linton says. “Walk ins are welcome, but there is no guarantee that we will be able to take you.”
The clinic takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To register, visit bit.ly/716-hairclinic.