A shampoo, cut and voter information
Jeremy M. Lazarus | 11/4/2021, 6 p.m.
Barbers and beauticians in the Richmond area did their part to encourage voting Tuesday.
More than 45 shops teamed up with Philadelphia-based Shape Up the Vote to provide voting information and resources to customers, the nonprofit announced Monday.
Among them is Patricia Gordon-Breggs, owner of Uptown Designs Salon and Spa, based in Regency Square in Henrico County.
“I found it imperative as a business owner to host a space that can be informative for my clients, given the current climate of the world and politics, as well as the time and effort spent for Black and Brown people to gain the right to vote," Ms. Gordon-Breggs said.
Kim Washington, owner of Silk Hair Salon on West Broad near Virginia Commonwealth University, also made voter education part of her shop's offerings.
"Our ancestors marched and died for this, and we can't complain if we don't do anything," Ms. Washington said. "Elections like this one are the most important because we are voting for lawmakers we can actually reach out and touch."
The year-old Shape Up The Vote provided posters and mirror clings to participating shops, along with handbills with information on the Nov. 2 election.
Created in 2020 by the Social Good Fund, to promote voting in the presidential election, Shape Up The Vote this year has relationships with 1,800 barbershops and beauty salons in Virginia and 13 other states.
