This annual event brings together hundreds of guests, beauty stylists and vendors to raise funds for the organization's HIV/AIDS awareness programs. Picture a scene of a hair salon and women chatting and laughing about relationships or a barber cutting men’s hair and chatting about a variety of topics. This is the scene of the BrAIDS for AIDS Braidathon.

BrAIDS for AIDS was born out of the need to eradicate the stigma of HIV/AIDS in the African, Caribbean and Black Communities but through the utilization of the practice of hair braiding. Braiding takes considerable time to do, which allows for BrAIDS for AIDS to provide HIV/AIDS 101 information and other knowledge to clients. Since its creation in 2008, BrAIDS for AIDS supports organizations and programs which focus on supporting the African Caribbean and Black communities in areas such as employment, general education, and in HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and intervention.

A panel event at the BrAIDS for AIDS Braidathon and Beauty Show.

The need and importance of this organization and event continue to be essential in this #METOO era. The theme of this year’s event is self-empowerment. In addition to guest panelists of beauty experts and social activists, the keynote address will be by Celina Caesar-Chavannes, MP Whitby. Celina will be gracing the event with #BlackGirlMagic and words of encouragement to Black women, particularly young Black girls, to be their best selves.

Members of the community do not want to miss this event. Guests can get their hair done by a professional hairdresser while supporting BrAIDS for AIDS programs including a new entrepreneurship-focused hairdresser program for African, Caribbean, and Black young women; a program with young men in the prison system; and a program focusing on combating violence against women. They can shop in the pop-up vendor market, listen to tutorials and empowering guest speakers.

BrAIDS for AIDS has plans to expand its programs and support is needed from the entire community. For more information on BrAIDS for AIDS, visit us at www.braidsforaids.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.