Photo by Joselyn King Jordan Beckham-James, in chair, gets his hair cut by barber Jaylen Rouse, at right, during the fifth annual Textured Expo Wednesday night at Bridge Street Middle School. Holding a camera light for Rouse is his brother, Mar Rouse. (Photo by Joselyn King)

WHEELING – Some strands were long and some were short and coarse, but the hair cutting went smoothly Wednesday night at the fifth annual Textured Expo.

Barbers and beauticians offered their skills and knowledge while set up at Bridge Street Middle School. There was also clothing and free photos available during the event.

“This showcases the differences in hair textures and skin care – not just how different they are, but how we can all learn and come together on it,” said Ron Scott Jr., cultural diversity and community outreach director for YWCA Wheeling.

“This is a way for foster parents, adoptive parents, shelter workers and managers, even folks who work in the jail, to understand each individual client they run into has (specific needs). There is nothing wrong with learning what that is.”

He explained that often there are people who want to adopt children of races different from their own who have textured hair, but the prospective parents don’t know how to address their different hair and skin needs.

“We hold events like this to let you know nothing can hold you back,” Scott continued. “It is no bearing on your parenting skills if you don’t know how to do a Black kid’s hair. Just learn, and then you’ll know.”

The Textured Expo was again organized by Unique Murphy, Communities In Schools site director at Wheeling Park High School.

“We don’t have anything else in our community like this except for this event,” she said. “And nobody else has access to the families and students like myself, the Black Student Union and the staff at the school does.”

Murphy noted that many in attendance were the same students and their families she helps out each day as site director.

“It’s important to have this because they need it,” she explained.

Barber Carson Namack from Stradwick’s Fade Cave was providing free haircuts at the Textured Expo, and explained he wanted to do so “to give back to the community” that helps him.

Photographer Mikaya Green took free posed photos of those who wanted them. It was her first year at the event.

“Photography is a great way to capture people, and I just wanted to bring my business out and offer some free photos and a free photo shoot to people,” she explained.

It was the second year at the Textured Expo for Peyton Bourgeois, owner of the Two Times vintage clothing store.

“It was such a great time last year,” he said. “I like interacting with the youth and giving back to the community in any way I can.”