The Hoot Market at Brandeis University has expanded its offerings to include hair care products for students with type four hair, supporting efforts for greater inclusivity on campus. This initiative, led by the Student Union in collaboration with the Multicultural Hair, Art, and Empowerment Club, aims to provide essential hair care options for students with kinky hair.
Student Union President Rani Balakrishna ’25 emphasized the importance of equity, explaining that the initiative stems from a commitment to making campus resources accessible to all students. The idea gained momentum after Vice President Ria Escamilla-Gil ’27 read an op-ed by Eleanor Jones ’27 in The Justice highlighting the lack of hair products for students with type four hair and the burden of traveling off-campus for supplies.
To address this issue, Escamilla-Gil and Balakrishna organized a successful “Pop-Up Shop” in spring 2024 featuring Mielle hair products. With positive feedback, they worked alongside the Multicultural Hair, Art, and Empowerment Club to identify affordable products to be sold in the Hoot Market. They prioritized affordable brands like Husk to ensure accessibility for all students.
Mirabell Rowland ’25, President of the Multicultural Hair, Art, and Empowerment Club, praised the initiative as a step toward greater representation and belonging for students of color. Balakrishna and Escamilla-Gil continue to advocate for student needs, highlighting the importance of community input in creating a more equitable campus.
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