By Emily Helms –
MUNCIE, IN—On April 29, local health and beauty professionals will partner with community organizations to host a health and beauty show at Madjax Maker Force. The event is part of the statewide Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative (IBBHI), the goal of which is to educate and empower Black men to “to better understand the potential risk factors in their health through screening and education,” according to the IBBHI’s website.
Participating barbers and health and beauty professionals will join with Open Door Health Services, Muncie Juneteenth Celebration, Concrete Rose, and IBBHI to promote healthy lifestyles within the Black community. Open Door Health Services will offer free blood pressure and blood glucose screenings to all event participants. Additional information on healthy lifestyles and exercise, along with resource material to access medical attention to address any health risks, will also be provided.
“Oftentimes in our society and in the beauty industry, there exists something called hair discrimination, which means that the Black community is expected to modify their hair texture or style from the way it grows or is styled naturally in order to be considered for professional positions, and even to do simple things like graduate from high school or perform in sporting events,” said SteVen Knipp, a local hairstylist and the event’s coordinator. “So it was important for me to partner with IBBHI, Muncie Juneteenth Celebration, and Open Door Health Services to create an event that celebrates Black lives and Black hair by making sure that the community has access to both health resources as well as self care resources within the beauty industry.”
The health and beauty show is still welcoming interested vendors to participate. “We’re looking for participation from all beauty and health businesses, not just those related to hair,” said Knipp. There is no cost for vendors to participate in the event. Vendors who want to participate should contact Knipp at SteVenKnippHairStudio@gmail.com or (765) 372-8090 by Thursday, April 27.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at Madjax Maker Force, 515 E Main St, on April 29 from 11 am–3 pm. Learn more about the Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative at ibbhi.com/
