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“font-family: Verdana;”>What began as a dare from a boss has evolved into a unique opportunity for community building and a personal passion.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For the inaugural Craig Blac Community Cuts for Kids in 2001, then-radio star Craig Blac was backed by his station, Q 95.5 FM, eight barbers and a guest spot by then-hot new hip-hop group Philly’s Most Wanted.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Fifty young people headed back to school with haircuts courtesy of the event, and it was considered a resounding success.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ten years later, much has changed. Both Q 95.5 and Craig Blac became casualties of the radio game. Philly’s Most Wanted faded into the oblivion occupied by one-hit rap wonders.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>But the biggest transformation was experienced by Community Cuts.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Community Cuts for kids has grown from a few barbers serving 50 kids in a small room to more than 75 barbers and stylists working on 2,500 heads at three locations around St. Louis and the Metro East.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Leonard’s Barber College, Vatterott College, Elaine Stevens, Paul Mitchell School, Unlimited Diva Hair School, St. Louis Hair Academy and a host of independent barbers and stylists are eager partners.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“When I first started, I was just expecting to help a couple of kids,” Blac said. “Over the years, the demand continued. It’s turned into a family event.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Over the past nine years, 27,000 children in the area have received cuts and curls at the annual event. “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>School supply distribution, appearances from local artists and giveaways have been added to the lineup of activities. This year, add health screenings to the list.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“When my radio career ended here in St. Louis, I kept with my community service,” Blac said. “It’s my passion. It’s what I’m doing full-time.”
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is soliciting barbers, stylists and donations so that on August 14
he can achieve his 2011 goal of 125 barbers and stylists teaming up
to provide cuts and curls for more than 4,000 young people, with
every student walking away with school supplies.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He also intends to use Community Cuts as a platform to launch the Craig Shields Foundation.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I’ve put radio on the backburner and I’m taking my foundation to another level,” Blac said. “Now that I’m a non-profit organization, I want to let people know that I’m planning on doing more than the cuts every year.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He plans to add a year-long mentoring component and grow the event in other markets – including Blac’s hometown of Washington, D.C., Madison, Wis., Dayton, Ohio and Indianapolis, Ind.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He plans to solicit his friends in radio to “grab the attention of young people and give them that reality check they need and show that there is life outside of their neighborhood.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For year 10 of Community Cuts, he has enlisted Fox 2’s Tim Ezell to co-host a telethon on KTVI 8–10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 featuring St. Louis stars. McDonald’s and the St. Louis Department of Veteran Affairs also are pitching in to help.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Radio was a great vehicle to drive things,” Blac said. “But right now the community needs help.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Craig Blac’s 10 Annual Community Cuts For Kids will be held on Sunday, August 14 from 2-6 p.m. at Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, 2901 N Grand Blvd., The Monsanto YMCA, 5555 Page Blvd. and The Mary Brown Center, 606 South 15th Street in East St Louis (10 a.m.-6 p.m. at this location). “mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Barbers and stylists interested in volunteering can visit
“http://www.craigblac.com/”>www.craigblac.com
