It’s back-to-school season, but not everyone has the time and budget for new backpacks or a stop at the barber shop. One solution: Host an event that brings the two together, make it free and make it fun.
The National Black Police Association of Minnesota, Black Firefighters United and others partnered with The Sanneh Foundation, Greater Twin Cities United Way to host the 10th annual Backpacks and Barbers event Monday at the the Conway Recreation Center in St. Paul, providing children with free haircuts, backpacks, school supplies, food and more.
Cousins Lanu and Tami show off the new backpacks they received Monday. (Talia McWright / Pioneer Press)
“It helps them to be able to take some of that burden off of their families,” Sanneh Foundation marketing coordinator Sophia Hayden said. “And everybody needs a fresh haircut. You look good, you feel good. So we want to get those kids ready to have their first day of school.”
Another hope for the event is that while officers engage with community and show them they care, some of the kids, especially those from underrepresented communities, will be inspired to see law enforcement as a career path in the future.
“Representation is very important for the Black Police Association, so kids in the community can look up and say, ‘Hey, these people can do it. You know what, I can do it too,’ because we’re actually really underrepresented in Minnesota,” Association President and St. Paul Officer Brad Chin said.
According to the association, 273 out of the total 10,505 police officers in Minnesota are Black. Chin said the association wants to change this to better serve their communities.
First time attendee and mother of six Dominiques Perkins brought her two boys, fifth-grader Damari and third-grader Dontrez, out on Tuesday. The event was an opportunity to save some money and be surrounded by community members, she said, looking at the rows of young kids getting their hair cut by professional local barbers.
Another first timer, Akona Joaj, a special education educator, brought two young family members who are refugees from South Sudan and had never before had their hair cut, she said. The two boys came to Minnesota early this year and were all smiles as they sat across from each other.
“It brings the community together and is so helpful for kids,” Joaj said. “Even if you can’t afford it, you still deserve to feel good and look good for school.”
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