Harlem Councilwoman Inez Dickens, Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn
In recognition of World AIDS Day I attended a very inspirational event at Hair on Madison in Harlem, NY. For the first time, I learned about Hairdressers Against AIDS, a unique advocacy program sponsored by L’Oreal Fondation D’Enterprise and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In its second year, the program encourages beauty industry professionals across the globe to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS by engaging in conversations with their clients. Hairdressers are encouraging their clients to get tested for HIV and start an open dialogue in hopes of greatly reducing their risk. Speakers including NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Harlem Councilwoman Inez Dickens, Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez, Director of Education for Mizani, Veronique Morrison, and celebrity hairdresser Kimmi Hendrix discussed how hairdressers are using the relationships and trust that they have built with their clients to educate them about HIV and AIDS. “I spend more time with my hairdresser than I do with my doctor,” said Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “This is such a cutting-edge opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation between hairdressers and the clients who trust them.” Throughout the day L’Oreal Hairdressers will sponsor master classes at top beauty schools to help spread their message of knowledge and power to students who will be the voice of the future. Hairdressers, with their special connection to the community, have become a great resource in helping to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS making the world a better place.
For more information or to start your own conversation please visit www.HairdressersAgainstAIDS.com