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Build Community with The Braided Life

Free events around mental health, wellness, and self-expression for the Black Austin community

$5,021
pledged of$20,000 goal
61
0Days Left

Project Description

More Than Just A Salon

Our community enjoying themselves at an event
Photo credit: Salihah Saadiq

 

The foundation of The Braided Life is the idea of the salon as a central gathering place for the Black community. Many of us remember growing up and spending hours, and even full days, as kids surrounded by adult women in the salon gossiping, giving each other advice, laughing, crying, sharing stories--just being in community with one another. A series of events and cultural shifts--ranging from gentrification dispersing and decentralizing Black communities everywhere to the rise of solo salon suites and independent stylists--have meant that these shared experiences in the salon are far and few between today.

Free "third places," or spaces where people can be social and connect outside of work or home, are dwindling, and we're seeing the effects of this particularly on the Black community with disproportionately increasing rates of anxiety and depression (compared to our white counterparts).


The Braided Life is here to revive the second home that was once the salon through the expansion of our community events


Since our doors opened on November 1st, 2021, we've incorporated free community events into the ethos of our brand, and have delivered numerous events for our community with themes around play, mental health, and community-building among which are events such as:

  • Self-Care Salon: in partnership with a Black Queer therapist and meditation/breathwork expert, giving our community the tools to be able to both identify when they are not okay, set boundaries with those around them, and self-regulate when needed
  • Yoga: A morning of healthy refreshments and restorative trauma-informed yoga for our community to reset
  • Johhnie's Antiques Gallery: telling the story of Dorothy McBride and Johnnie's Antiques, one of Austin's oldest Black owned businesses and a pillar of the East Side through a joint photo gallery and panel discussion
  • Graphic Eyeliner Workshop: in partnership with a local Black makeup artist, an opportunity for our community to play and learn how to express themselves through a different medium
collage of black history
Photo credit: Caesar Baughmant

 

(Re)Announcing our Salon Sundays Series

DJ at the gathering table
Photo Credit: Salihah Saadiq

 

Last year, we launched a weekly event series called Salon Sundays with the intention of creating a consistent third space for our community. Though the heart, intention, and ability to execute were there, the budget was not. 
 

It is no secret that Black-owned businesses are vastly underfunded and undersupported through traditional avenues


And unfortunately, we are not an exception to that rule. We, simply, cannot continue serving our community without your support. We're raising money here today in order to revive Salon Sundays--this time as a monthly event series. We plan on opening our doors on the first Sunday of every month to our community to benefit from everything from yoga and meditation to brunches to Group Therapy Sister Circles and everything in between. 

We are fortunate to have recently moved to a new location in the heart of the Eastside right across from Huston Tillotson University (HT)--Austin's HBCU. We are fortunate to have a space where HT students have been able to pop into and see that their dreams are valid and attainable. We are fortunate to have a space where we have hosted hundreds of Black folks--filling the four walls with laughter, with tears, with stories, with hope, with relief, with excitement. We are fortunate to be here and it is now our mission to continue spreading that fortune among our community by creating this third space for them.

 

Profile picture of a model with twists
Photo Credit: Kayla Davis

 

 

We hope you'll join us!

embrace in antique shop
Photo Credit: Tumi Adeleye

 

It is with the support of our community that we are able to exist today. Thank you to the friends who have brainstormed with us, to the family who has been our biggest cheerleaders, to the clients who continue to trust us with their crowns, to the people who continue to show up to our events, to the accounts who continue to like/share our content, to the models who represent our brand so beautifully, to the stylists whos hands create art--simply, to the people that have been a part of The Braided Life for the past year. And thank you is not enough. 

We hope that those of you who we've had the pleasure of connecting with--whether in person or digitally--continue to see the value of what we're building for our community and continue supporting us in any way that you can, whether that's through a donation to this campaign and/or by sharing the campaign with others. And we hope that those of you that are just now getting acquainted with The Braided Life see the vision and join us as we continue making it a reality. 

 

The Braided Life is giving us what we deserve: a central space to call our own. Welcome home.

 

Laughing in an elevator
Photo Credit: Kayla Davis

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

What types of events do you all host?
We primarily host events with themes around mental health, self-care/wellness, play (exploring different hobbies), and community-building (partnering with other Black-owned businesses to put on markets, dinners/brunches, sister circles, etc.).

What if I don't live in Austin--can I gift a membership to someone else?
Absolutely! If you select one of the membership rewards, we will reach out to ensure the membership goes to the right person.

What will you do with any extra money raised?
In addition to giving us the ability to continue our Salon Sundays series, your donations will also help us: have more volunteer service days where we do free services for people experiencing homelessness, Foster youth, and those that otherwise couldn't afford our services; build internal community via workshops for our staff around financial wellness, setting boundaries as makeshift community therapists, and physical wellness for stylists. Any extra money raised also frees us to think BIGGER for our community events.

Which communities do you serve? 
We primarily serve Black women, trans, and nonbinary folks through both our digital platforms and physical space! 

 

Dave
03/01/2023
Monetary Contribution
$10
Russell
03/01/2023
Monetary Contribution
$100
Miranda
03/01/2023
You've Got Mail (and stickers)
$25
Stephany
03/01/2023
You've Got Mail (and stickers)
$25
Nikki Hardison
02/28/2023
You've Got Mail (and stickers)
$25
Kosta A Psaltis
02/28/2023
You've Got Mail (and stickers)
$25
Samantha Sikora
02/28/2023
You've Got Mail (and stickers)
$25
Ani Z
02/28/2023
Monetary Contribution
$50
Michael
02/28/2023
3-month Membership
$60
Marissa Mirbach
02/27/2023
Monetary Contribution
$25
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

27 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
You've Got Mail (and stickers)

Don't you just love the nostalgia of a handwritten letter?

Receive one postcard and some limited edition stickers with a handwritten personalized note from Founder Milly Fotso!

22 Supporters
Select this reward
60.00 USD
3-month Membership
  • One Complimentary trim
  • $25 off any style booked
  • Complimentary hair treatment with every wash (choice of steam treatment or scalp scrub)
  • 15% off all retail products
  • First access to all events
  • One member’s only event per quarter
5 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
#HairGoals

A one-hour 1:1 consultation followed by a personalized hair roadmap detailing products, routines, and styles that will help you get to your 2023 hair goals!

7 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Swag!

Who doesn't love swag?? A limited edition Braided Life Tote Bag + your choice of a satin bonnet that your hair will actually fit in OR a silk pillowcase + a custom limited edition Braided Life oil blend to keep your tresses healthy!

3 Supporters
Select this reward
200.00 USD
One-Year Membership
  • One complimentary trim/quarter

  • $25 off any style booked

  • Complimentary hair treatment with every wash (choice of steam treatment or scalp scrub)

  • 15% off all retail products

  • First access to all events

  • One member’s only event per quarter

0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
New Style, Who This?

Develop a new style with our team and have it named after you (or a person of your choosing)

4 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
Sponsor One Event

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors one full Salon Sundays event! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

12 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Sponsor 3 Events

Why sponsor one event when you can sponsor a whole quarter of events?

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors 3 full Salon Sundays events! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

4 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Sponsor 6 Events

Why sponsor a quarter of events when you can sponsor a half year of events?

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors 6 full Salon Sundays events! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

2 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
20,000.00 USD
Sponsor a Full Year of Events

Give the ultimate gift to our community: a year of events centered around wellness, mental health, play, and building community <3

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors 12 full Salon Sundays events! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

1 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Austin, TX
Created 1 Campaign
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

27 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
You've Got Mail (and stickers)

Don't you just love the nostalgia of a handwritten letter?

Receive one postcard and some limited edition stickers with a handwritten personalized note from Founder Milly Fotso!

22 Supporters
Select this reward
60.00 USD
3-month Membership
  • One Complimentary trim
  • $25 off any style booked
  • Complimentary hair treatment with every wash (choice of steam treatment or scalp scrub)
  • 15% off all retail products
  • First access to all events
  • One member’s only event per quarter
5 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
#HairGoals

A one-hour 1:1 consultation followed by a personalized hair roadmap detailing products, routines, and styles that will help you get to your 2023 hair goals!

7 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Swag!

Who doesn't love swag?? A limited edition Braided Life Tote Bag + your choice of a satin bonnet that your hair will actually fit in OR a silk pillowcase + a custom limited edition Braided Life oil blend to keep your tresses healthy!

3 Supporters
Select this reward
200.00 USD
One-Year Membership
  • One complimentary trim/quarter

  • $25 off any style booked

  • Complimentary hair treatment with every wash (choice of steam treatment or scalp scrub)

  • 15% off all retail products

  • First access to all events

  • One member’s only event per quarter

0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
New Style, Who This?

Develop a new style with our team and have it named after you (or a person of your choosing)

4 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
Sponsor One Event

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors one full Salon Sundays event! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

12 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Sponsor 3 Events

Why sponsor one event when you can sponsor a whole quarter of events?

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors 3 full Salon Sundays events! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

4 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Sponsor 6 Events

Why sponsor a quarter of events when you can sponsor a half year of events?

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors 6 full Salon Sundays events! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

2 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
20,000.00 USD
Sponsor a Full Year of Events

Give the ultimate gift to our community: a year of events centered around wellness, mental health, play, and building community <3

Each Salon Sundays event will cost about $1500 to execute. This donation sponsors 12 full Salon Sundays events! You will get to choose which event you would like to sponsor (in order of donations).

This reward grants us the use of your name and likeness to promote your business and/or brand during one of our Salon Sundays events. Your information will appear on promotional materials "Sponsored by" and in swag bags provided to our VIP guests. This can also be for an individual in which case your name will appear as "Thanks to the Support of" or anonymous, if you prefer.

1 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward