LEXINGTON, Ky. — A first-of-its-kind event was held Thursday afternoon on the University of Kenctucky campus at the Gatton Student Center.

The UK Student Activities Board and Collegiate Curls hosted the first-ever Natural Hair Care Expo for Black and brown students that have textured hair.

Aliyah McDaneil is the graduate adviser for Collegiate Curls and she said the goal of the event was to connect students to salons that know their hair.

“Especially coming from out of state, I didn’t know where to go to get my hair done so it was really Collegiate Curls that helped me figure out where to go,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said Collegiate Curls was founded at the University of Charleston but the University of Kentucky chapter was founded in 2016.

“It’s super important to not only have an event like this but to show students on campus all that the Lexington community has to offer in terms of healthy hair and skin,” McDaniel said.

Many vendors who supplied tips, tricks and supplies were all based in Lexington. Sheritta Green owns and operates Twist of Textures in Lexington.

“Oh my gosh, this event is epic. It’s long overdue,” Green said.

Green used her daughter to show the students different ways they can curl, straighten and care for their own hair.

“As a young girl, that was one of my biggest struggles and it’s a continued struggle for a lot of Black and brown people period, women and men. When you learn to love your crown, you just exude confidence,” Green said.

This was the first year that the Student Activities Board held a Natural Hair Care Expo and hopes to make it an annual on-campus event.

McDaniel said Collegiate Curls is always seeking new members and to help Black and brown students embrace their hair and skin.

“Just watching this organization grow, continue to build, get new boards, lots of new members, it just impacts our community of Black and brown students,” McDaniel said.