Community Cuts for Kids continues two-decade tradition with event in Belleville
Craig Shields doesn’t live in the St. Louis region any more, but that doesn’t keep him from coming back home every year for back-to-school events to get kids in the area, including East St. Louis and Belleville, off to a great start for the school year.
He returned again this year to take part in the Burton & Craig Shields Foundation’s 21st annual Community Cuts for Kids in Belleville, where children were provided backpacks, school supplies and hairstyles so they are ready to start class in a positive way. Similar events were scheduled for St. Louis County.
The Illinois event this month was hosted by the local chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. at the Kappa House on C Street in Belleville.
Craig Shields, who the community at large knows as Craig Blac, is a popular former local radio D.J. He moved away from the St. Louis area several years ago, but comes back every year to “give back to my community.”
“No child should have to start a new school year and grade without their hair done or the supplies they need to be able to concentrate solely on their lessons. Any distractions that take a child’s focus off of getting a good education is a problem,” Blac said.
At this year’s event in Belleville, at least 25 children had received haircuts, styles and school supplies by 3 p.m., with three more hours to go to serve additional students. Smiles stretched across faces as they admired their new styles.
Barbers and hairstylists donated their time to cut and style boys and girls hair for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
Why does Blac stay energized, pumped and raring to host the program?
“We build self-esteem,” he said. “We give them self-confidence. You know how ladies feel when they get their hair done and the gentlemen when they get that fresh lining. Everyone feels like they are ready to take on the world. They have a sense of pride all because of the way they look.
“That’s what I do. This is the 21st year of Community Cuts for Kids,” he said excitedly.
The atmosphere at the Kappa House in Belleville was filled with love, and Blac said, “This is such a good feeling.”
Blac said we are living in tough times and any little bit that parents and grandparents don’t have to pay for helps.
“I feel good about being a part of helping to put smiles on faces and boosting self-esteem. That is really important. This is my passion,” Blac said. “This is how I was raised. My mom passed in 2018. She was the matriarch in our family. She was the giver. She took care of everybody in our little village. She took care of us. She gave back. I am carrying on the training my mom instilled in me”
Blac said it is not his work alone that makes the annual event a success. He cited Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and many who donated items, money, time and talent to make the event a success, from singer and songwriter Raheem deVaughn to Hot 104.1’s new morning show and others.
Desmond Donelson, Jr. , a 16 -year old who is part of the Guide Right program under the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, participated in the event. He and two other youths won a national debate competition between Kappa members from all over the world.
“It is about building yourself up for young men in the community,” Desmond said. ”I was super shy when I started. I have been in the program since seventh grade.”
Now, he said, he is confident in himself. He said he is thankful for the Guide Right program and the men who are mentoring him.
“It’s important to have someone who looks like you guiding you in a positive way because they have similar experiences as you,” he said. “They teach us how to be examples in the community. I have learned to always know what I want and go for what I want. This is a message I can pass along to others as well.”
Speaking about the back to school event, Donelson said he was thankful for the community support. “ It’s really important for adults to support the students,” he said. “Events like the back to school event lets the students know people care about them. I just want to say thank you to everyone who participated.”
Reginald Golliday, of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. , said he was pleased with the turnout and with the assistance provided through the partnership with Blac and “Community Cuts For Kids.”
“It’s community service and we like giving back to the kids. We want to make sure the kids have the necessary tools they need to work with...pencils ,paper, bac packs, etc.,” Golliday said.
Looking around at the crowd, Golliday said, “ I see lots of kids enjoying themselves... Lots of diversity. The people supported it. Hopefully this gets bigger. It takes a community supporting each other.”
This story was originally published August 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
