Khadija Yahya gets a haircut from stylist Nickie Wedderbum Aug. 18 at Iye Beauty Salon.
As families count down the days for students to return to the classroom, Mayor Alyia Gaskins continued her tradition of providing free hairstyling, school supplies and encouragement to young people across the city before the start of a new academic year.
Now in its fourth year, the Mayor's Back-to-School Hair Salon event was held Aug. 18 and hosted at Iye's Beauty Salon on Duke Street. The initiative was created after Gaskins observed that many backpack drives offered haircuts for boys but few services tailored to girls. She saw an opportunity to help ensure that every child feels prepared, confident and valued on the first day of school.
“Yesterday’s Back to School Hair Salon helped an incredible 37 girls prepare for the first day of school,” said Gaskins in a social media post on the event. “I’m so grateful to the stylists who dedicated their time and our sponsors who helped make this event possible. Nothing but smiles all day long.”
What began as a small effort serving only a handful of students has grown into a community-wide program reaching dozens of young people each year. Participants receive professional hairstyling, backpacks filled with school supplies and meals for themselves and their families.
According to Gaskins, confidence and self-esteem play an important role in a young person's success; helping students feel their best can positively impact their outlook as they begin a new school year. The idea was also influenced by her experience on a gang prevention task force, where she learned about the relationship between self-esteem and youth well-being.
Prior to the event, participants were signed up through the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Community Lodgings and ACPS social workers.
In addition to the hairstyling, attendees received a backpack filled with school supplies provided by Alexandria City Public Schools. A goodie bag of hair care products and accessories was provided along with breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day.
Salon owner Iye Bayoh and a team of stylists donate their time and expertise to provide personalized services for participants. Community leaders and supporters also contribute school supplies, meals and other resources that help families prepare for the school year.
Sponsors included The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the Concrete Rose Scholarship Foundation, Just Fine Donuts, Cassandra Lewis, Ryan Belmore and Jennifer Martin, and AYAH.
Said Gaskins, “Everyone deserves to feel their best for the first day of school.”
The 2026-27 ACPS school year begins Monday, Aug. 24.
Attendees pose for a photo at the back-to-school hair styling event Aug. 18 at Iye Beauty Salon.