SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Luis Lopes and Principal Leslie Weckesser are pleased to share that cosmetology instructor Briana Brown was honored this weekend at a regional Juneteenth festival.
Brown was selected to receive an African American Trailblazer Service Award, which highlights ordinary citizens who have made outstanding civic accomplishments and significant contributions in various fields in the southeastern region of Massachusetts.
Brown was recognized along with other Trailblazers at the third annual Juneteenth festival on Saturday, June 18 in Attleboro. The event, hosted by the Attleboro Juneteenth Committee in conjunction with the National Black Doll Museum, commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.
Trailblazers were presented with a certificate and flag that is raised in their honor on Juneteenth.
This year’s festival put a special spotlight on The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), a bill prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyle.
Brown began her career in education at Southeastern as a cosmetology paraprofessional four years ago. Once acquiring the necessary certifications to obtain licensure, she joined Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School where she taught cosmetology for one-and-a-half years. She returned to Southeastern as a cosmetology teacher at the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
As an instructor, Brown aims to prepare her students to work on all different hair types so they have the knowledge and skills to help all future clients. Brown runs a “blow-out boot camp” that helps students learn and practice blow-outs on mannequins with different natural wave patterns.
Brown’s students describe her as thoughtful, hardworking, caring and encouraging, and someone who guides them to keep trying their best.
“I have had the opportunity to watch Ms. Brown grow as a teacher and see the impact she has on students,” Vocational Supervisor Mary Kobey said. “She is an amazing educator who we are very lucky to have on our team.”
Brown has been passionate about vocational and technical education since graduating from the cosmetology program at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury. She has worked in various roles at salons in Harvard Square, Chestnut Hill and Dedham, including receptionist, assistant, stylist, product ambassador, salon educator and manager. She currently owns a mobile glam service business that provides traveling hair, makeup and beauty services.
“We are thrilled to see Briana honored for her work preparing her students for their future careers and ensuring they have developed all-inclusive techniques, knowledge and experience,” Principal Weckesser said. “Briana’s passion for education, inclusivity and the importance of embracing all natural hair types is clear, and we are fortunate to have her as part of our cosmetology program.”
Read more about Juneteenth here, and The CROWN Act here.
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