Chicago high school student Jessica Thurmond is gaining national attention after offering free hairstyles to classmates during school breaks.
Her generosity has gone viral, inspiring others to give back and highlighting the importance of self-confidence and community support.
Jessica offers free hairstyling to students in need
Jessica, a 17-year-old senior, has always had a passion for hair. After years of perfecting her braiding and styling skills, she noticed that some of her classmates couldn’t afford professional hair care. Wanting to help, she decided to use her school breaks to offer free hairstyles to students who needed them.
“I know how much a fresh style can boost confidence,” Jessica said in a TikTok video that has now amassed thousands of views. “If I can help someone feel good about themselves, even for a little while, that’s what matters.”
Her kindness quickly goes viral
Jessica’s initiative started small, with her styling a few friends’ hair in her home. But after she shared before-and-after pictures online, the response was overwhelming. People flooded the comments with praise, and soon, local businesses and stylists took notice.
Beauty supply stores donated products, while professional hairstylists offered mentorship. Some barbers and salons even reached out to collaborate on community events. “Jessica’s heart is in the right place,” said Chicago salon owner Maya Robinson. “She’s not just doing hair—she’s changing lives.”
Her impact extends beyond hairstyles
Jessica believes that hair plays a major role in self-esteem, especially for students who might struggle financially. Many of the students she’s helped have expressed how much her kindness has meant to them.
One student shared, “I didn’t have money to get my hair done for senior pictures, and Jessica saved the day. She made me feel beautiful.”
Seeing the impact of her work, Jessica now hopes to expand her efforts. She is working on organizing free hairstyling events with local stylists and wants to create a program that offers free hair care services for students year-round.
What started as a simple act of kindness has grown into something much bigger. Jessica’s story proves that one person’s generosity can inspire an entire community to come together and uplift those in need.
