September 2023
Braids, Twists, and Surgical Knots.. oh my! Girls Group participants recently attended a workshop focused on exploring careers in medicine. This transformative workshop connected participants and parents with guest speakers from the UofM Medicine’s Black Medical Association and Finesse One Hair Studio.
The day involved panel discussions from inspiring doctors, medical students, and cosmetologists. One participant, who joined with her mother, was inspired and amazed at an all Black women surgeon panel and shared it was incredibly impactful for her. Her mom said, “I am super appreciative of this event because I know [my daughter] is interested in medicine.”
Following the panel discussions were hands on demonstrations. Participants learned how to do traditional Black protective hairstyles and they also learned how to do a surgical knot and stitch! Participants got to take home hair supplies, mannequin heads, and other tokens to remember this unique opportunity. The hands on activities helped participants consider careers in medicine by connecting it to a culturally relevant and significant topic of Black hair.
The workshop was educational and validating for individual hair journey experiences and empowering for participants to see the skills they may already possess as valuable and easily transferable to the medical field. Life changing career exploration opportunities like this are available all year-long through our Year-Round Enrichment Program!
photo credit: archermedia.org