NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) — North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown launched a Black hair care product drive four years ago after high school girls told her that not having their hair done was a reason they skipped school.
The drive provides students in grades K through 12 with hair care products designed for Black hair — items that can be difficult to find and costly to purchase. Last year, more than 3,000 products were donated.
‘A need’ behind the drive
Goynes-Brown, a former educator, said the initiative grew directly from conversations with students about school attendance.
“The inspiration to start the haircare drive came out of a need,” Goynes-Brown said. “We’re talking with students in various North Las Vegas schools about the reasons that they don’t feel motivated, or they weren’t coming to school.”
For many African-American students, the barrier was practical: hair care products designed for their hair texture were hard to find and often unaffordable, affecting how they felt about themselves when they walked into class.
“The mission and goal is to support our African-American students at every level in our North Las Vegas schools, and we want to just make sure that students feel confident in their appearance,” she said.
Volunteers stuffed dozens of boxes as students from across North Las Vegas received care packages tailored for Black hair.
“To give out those products to our young boys and girls in our schools, and just to see the happiness and the joy they face,” Goynes-Brown said.
Cost and availability remain challenges
Degina Granderson, a manager at G’s Hair and Beauty Supply — one of the few Black-owned hair supply stores in the Las Vegas Valley — said cost and product availability are among the biggest obstacles for families.
“I mean, when you’re thinking about expensive, like… This is $20. This is almost a $20 product,” Granderson said.
She said some products carried in her store are not available at major retailers.
“This is something you couldn’t get at Walmart or Target,” Granderson said.
Granderson said she has seen firsthand how hair can affect whether students show up.
“I’ve known girls who wouldn’t even go to school if their hair wasn’t done. Wouldn’t even go out in public,” she said.
Granderson said she plans to donate items to the drive and hopes others will do the same.
How to donate
Donations can be dropped off at North Las Vegas City Hall. The mayor has also curated an online list of hair care items designed for Black hair for those who prefer to give digitally.
“It’s so important that our young people feel empowered, that they feel motivated, and ready to get out there and conquer the world,” Goynes-Brown said.
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