b'final mattersThe Joy of ServingIm doing what I loveBY OMOSEDE AYINDEVolunteering to braid childrens hair helped fill a void and provided some of the fulfilment that the writer longed to have.Imylovedhair:gounnoticed.braiding as a service to kids in the community. wanted to giveSingle fathers who werent accus-havealways thedifferenthairtypes,tomed to being the primary care-colors,texturesandthetakerfortheirdaughtersdidnt things we can do with ourknow how to detangle, wash or hair. As one of nine chil- style their hair. Non-black adop-dren, I was always work- tiveparentsofBlackchildren ing on somebodys hair. When I had kids, Itheir childrens hair the love and had two more heads for practicing.At the time, my job wasnt bringing me anycare that it needed but didnt have the guidance Apparently,workdidnotsatisfaction.Iworkedverylonghoursandhador resources.Mysonsfriendsatschooloftentoldhimhowzero work-life balance. My weekends needed toSo while I was thinking I was just going to give much they loved his hair and asked who took carebe a time to rest and recharge, which apparentlybusy parents a break from having to style their kids of it. Hed tell them. Oh, my mom does my hair.is mom-code for cleaning, prepping meals, doinghair for a week, many of them were actually more One day, he asked me if Id be willing to style hislaundry, taking children to activities and gettinginterested in learning how best to care for it them-friend Corrys hair. I was a bit reluctant becausemaybe two moments to look myself in the mirror. selves. They were asking questions, taking notes and I was going through a really difficult time at myVolunteering to braid childrens hair helped fillbegan requesting that I create formal training. marketing job, but I agreed to do it. a void and provided some of the fulfilment that IThis gave me a new mission: to develop, teach Corry had never had his hair done profession- longed to have. It reminded me that I did, indeed,and sell an online course on how to care for Black ally. Hed been growing it out for about a year buthave a life outside of the job that was making mehair. I could now imagine spending my life doing wasnt noticing it getting any longer. He arrivedso unhappy. It helped me to stay in touch with asomething I loved while also being of service and at my house with it washed and conditioned. Hepart of myself that I truly love. providing for my family. I could see a life where I hadseriousshrinkage.Imoisturized,detangledI know this might sound idealistic, but I whole- didnt spend my days (and oftentimes nights) be-and blow-dried Corrys hair and then gave himheartedly believe that being of service to others ising a global partner marketing manager blah blah two-strand twists.one of the most fulfilling things a person can do.blah.When Corry looked in the mirror, he couldntAftermysonsfriendssawCorryshair,theyI was like, WaitI can be Omosede? I can believe his eyesnor could he wipe the smile offwanted their hair done too! Parents of children ofbe myself? Yes, I love hair. But what I love most his face. It made the hours of my afternoon spentall ages began coming to my house to have theirof all is that I can share this love doing good for on his hair oh so worth it. childrens hair braided. So just about every weekendothers. Im excited for what Ill teach, for what Ill His mom called me later to tell me how pleasedI braided a few heads of hair while giving braidinglearn and for where this will go. And Im grateful he was and what the fresh hairdo had done forand haircare tutorials to the parents. I learned aboutto Corry for being the catalyst for something that his confidence. She couldnt get him away frommany of the difficulties parents were facing. I honestly believe will be truly great. the mirror! It reminded me of what it felt like toManyCaucasianparentsofmixed-racechil- Omosede Ayinde teaches parents and caretakers how be a kid bursting with excitement and satisfactiondren were unfamiliar with their kids hair textureto help their children learn to love their natural hair. over a pretty new hairdo. So I decided to offer hairand didnt know how to detangle or manage it.Find out more at hhighsociety.com.50/ matters magazine / fall 2025'