Salon donates services to help homeless before DNC

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DENVER – When Sylvester and Ghandia Johnson saw news reports about homeless people being given vouchers to the zoo and the movies during the DNC, they didn't feel it was right.

"We just kind of felt like in news reports lately it was like, 'What are we going to do with them,' trying to sweep them under the rug," said Ghandia Johnson.

The couple owns Sly's Salon at Grant Street and 16th Avenue, in downtown Denver. They decided to use their business to create a so-called cut-a-thon specifically for the homeless.

"We thought we could help some of Denver's homeless residents by giving them a fresh look, giving them real good self esteem and helping them feel part of the DNC, so they look their best," said Ghandia Johnson.

She says homeless people who want to be in public during the convention shouldn't feel ashamed about their appearance. That's why the salon gave free haircuts, washes and styles to more than 150 adults during the all-day event on Monday.

"It has been great," exclaimed stylist Bianca Powell. "It's been a terrific, wonderful, happy, graceful day!"

Powell was joined by five other stylists: Sylvester "Sly" Johnson, Butch Eisenmenger, Tayler Barber, Clarence Wilson and Sheree Maxwell.

On a typical day, Powell says she can make $300. But she and all of the other stylists volunteered their services for the cut-a-thon. For some of the stylists, Monday would have been their day off.

"I'm happy to give the experience to people who can't afford it," Powell said.

One of the people who sat in Powell's chair was a 43-year-old man named Joe. He said he hadn't had a real haircut since 2004.

"I hope this makes you feel better," Powell said to Joe, as she shampooed his shoulder-length brown hair.

"She's pretty cool," Joe said of Powell. "She seems to have a little better perspective on where I'm at now because she was saying she's been there before."

After having his beard shaved off, Joe received a compliment from Powell: "Handsome man in the mirror! Handsome man!"

It's not enough to make Joe feel like he's on top of the world. But it is enough to make him feel respected. That's not something Joe feels everyday.

"They're homeless, not hopeless," said Ghandia Johnson. "We're hoping this kicks off an effort for people to really give their time."

Johnson and her husband met with homeless agencies when they came up with the idea. They distributed more than 100 coupons to those agencies that, in turn, made appointments for homeless people.

The salon received help and donations from companies including Butler Rents, which helped provide the dozens of folding chairs used by homeless clients as they waited for their haircuts.

No one was turned away from the cut-a-thon, which included free bagged lunches provided by State Beauty Supply. People receiving the service were also given free hair care products, donated by Beauty Alliance Beauty Supply, Efy's Beauty Supply and Peel's Beauty Supply. After getting her golden locks cut and styled, Nancy Kofahl couldn't help but admire herself in the mirror.

"Oh, I love it," she said. "If you think blondes have more fun, you're right!"

Dropping her voice to a more serious tone, Kofahl explained what it meant to her to have her hair professionally cut and styled.

"It's the heart-felt reward to give to the community and give back," she said.

Kofahl got her hair cut just in time for three job interviews.

"With this new haircut," she said, "I'll get that job!"

Ghandia Johnson says she hopes this makes the homeless people of Denver feel like they're just as much of a part of the history-making convention, as anyone else.

Even when the convention leaves town, the Johnsons see their salon continuing to do free haircuts for the homeless.

"I'm already trying to think of how we can do it again, next year," she said. "I think this will be an annual event at Sly's Salon. I really do."