Director of School Quality Aquan Grant-Wayne knew exactly the brand to partner with for this event: Original Moxie. The company is a curly hair care brand based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with a salon and hair care products sold across the World.
The activity gave scholars the chance to use their hands and get a real feel for what techniques they need to know.
Founder and CEO Rachel Blistein led “Your Hair is Magic”, the name of her curly hair educational program for students, from the opening bell through dismissal on April 30. About 100 students participated throughout the day. Blistein said it was the largest group she has done the activity with.
Blistein said she was excited to bring this educational session to a large group of scholars with the help of Grant-Wayne.
“She saw a lot of kids wearing their natural hair out to school, which is awesome,” Blistein said. “I think, at the same time, there is not enough information or support for them to know how to wear it without damaging their hair. She wanted to build on that enthusiasm and give them a tool set and knowledge to do it.”
Scholars learned from Original Moxie’s stylists about how to properly care for their hair.
Each session started out with information on curly hair basics and what products should be used to maintain proper hair care. Then, the hands-on portion of Your Hair is Magic kicked off. Scholars learned a technique called a “wash and go”. This is a technique that goes through each step of washing, conditioning, moisturizing, and defining the hair.
Students were able to learn the technique with the help of Blistein and stylists from Original Moxie’s salon. Students soaked in the knowledge in small groups and were able to ask questions throughout the process. This kind of collaboration is just one of the many reasons Westfield Prep outperformed the local district during the 2022-23 school year.
The event engaged about 100 scholars, and was so successful, the school is planning to hold it again next year.
Blistein said she was blown away by how excited Westfield Prep scholars were to learn.“That’s what really gets me excited is kids embracing their natural textures,” Blistein said. “They were so eager to learn. It kind of brings tears to your eyes how grateful the kids are to see what their hair is capable of when it's properly moisturized. I had that same experience as a kid. So being able to make that kind of a difference in children's lives is really meaningful.”
“It kind of brings tears to your eyes how grateful the kids are to see what their hair is capable of when it's properly moisturized. I had that same experience as a kid. So being able to make that kind of a difference in children's lives is really meaningful.” – Original Moxie Founder and CEO Rachel Blistein (right).
At the conclusion of their time, each scholar got to take home booklets with information about proper hair care and a gift bag filled with the products they’d need to maintain their curls.
The event was a success for scholars and leaders alike. Your Hair is Magic is slated to return to Westfield Prep next year.
The finished product for scholars.
Thank you, Rachel, and the entire Original Moxie staff for this wonderful event!
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About Westfield Preparatory High School
Westfield Preparatory High School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Redford, Michigan, serving students in seventh through 12th grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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