Community

Textured Hair Expo Set For February

WHEELING - Wheeling's next Textured Hair Expo is scheduled for February during Black History Month.

Hair will be the focus from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Bridge Street Middle School, when local stylists set up to provide cuts, tutorials and suggestions regarding care for textured hair.

This will be the third year for the event that is open to the public.

"It is open to anyone and everyone interested in learning," explained Unique Robinson-Murphy, a social worker who serves as Community In Schools liaison at Wheeling Park High School. "If you are a parent or a foster parent, or just someone interested in adopting a child with textured hair, this is an event for you."

Parents often don't know the techniques necessary for maintaining textured hair - either because they themselves don't have it, or because the skills have been lost over generations.

Robinson-Murphy started the event three years ago based on her own experiences growing up with textured hair. In her home, straightener was often applied to textured hair. Later while in college, she met other students from Africa who shared with her the tricks to maintaining curls in textured hair.

Stylists from around the area will be present to assist those who attend. Among these are Zack Zdonczyk, barber and owner of Luxury Lifestyle Grooming Lounge; Rica Lee-Dabney owner of Just Me salon; Chad Stradwick, owner of Stradwick's Fade Cave; and Kylie Williams from Lavish.

In addition, students from the Elite Academy of Hair Design also will be participating.

"We're also hoping to add a couple of extra things this year," Robinson-Murphy said.

Artist Vondel Bell is scheduled to come display his work and show his video biography. The Black Student Union from Bethany College has indicated they will participate, and groups from Wheeling University and West Liberty University also have been invited, according to Robinson-Murphy.

Her hope is that they will meet and talk with parents..

Wheeling YWCA Director of Diversity and Inclusion Ron Scott Jr. is always a part of the event, as is BSMS Principal Jessica Broski-Birch.

Robinson-Murphy plans to set aside time near the end of the expo to allow them to take questions from parents about how to talk to kids about their hair, their race, and what separates them from the majority.

There will be refreshments and finger foods, and a table of free hair care products for anyone who needs them, Robinson-Murphy said.

"We're hoping to get musicians to come," she continued.

Those interested in playing music at the event should contact Robinson-Murphy at WPHS at 304-243-0400, or Broski-Birch at BSMS at 304-243-0381.

Last year 50 were expected to attend the expo and 100 people came, according to Robinson-Murphy. This year she is anticipating 60-65.

She deliberately keeps her expectations lower,

"If we exceed 65, I will be so happy," she said. "We will continue to do it as long as people want it."