Kinks and Kurls is a new Oswego State organization on campus devoted to self-love, awareness, uniqueness and empowerment, with the focus of bringing people together through the love of hair.
Vernely Marshall, senior communication major, founded the organization in the fall of 2017, her first semester at Oswego State after she had transferred from Plattsburgh State.
“I had made some friends, and Gabby – she is the cofounder – she helped me with the process,” Marshall said. “At this time, I am transitioning and writing the constitution. At the same time, I am getting associated with the school. So, we founded it together, and our first semester up and running was last semester [spring 2018].”
Marshall was inspired to start the organization after seeing her friends at Plattsburgh State start a similar hair club.
“I saw them start the hair club and was like, ‘Wow, I really want to bring this to Oswego,’” Marshall said. “I am noticing there is all these different cultural clubs, and it’s great. It’s good, but I feel like we need something that can unify almost everyone.”
According to Miranda Kryskow, Student Association director of Finance, Kinks and Kurls club is not funded by SA, since SA bylaws say an organization must be active for at least two semesters before it can get funding.
Not being eligible for funding yet has not stopped Kinks and Kurls from getting involved. The organization is focusing on different ways to raise money to fund the different programs it hopes to hold throughout the year, as well as organize different collaborations with outside organizations to create its own events.
“Hopefully, this semester, we can do a collaboration with Hart Hall to do a hair fashion show timeline,” Marshall said. “The hall director contacted me during the involvement fair, and he told me if we can focus on the culture, then we can do an event this semester and they can help us fund it.”
Kinks and Kurls meets every Monday at 6 p.m. in Marano Campus Center room 242. Meetings cover a variety of topics including hair appreciation, styling tips and ideas on how to grow one’s hair and make it as healthy as possible. Marshall said that meetings are designed to tell everyone’s unique story.
“I want people to walk away knowing this is a place where you don’t have to be a super natural,” Marshall said. “I want you to know you can come to any of us and be educated or do the educating, and I want you to feel comfortable in expressing your story.”
Marshall said she wants Kinks and Kurls to be inclusive for all hair styles and for members to feel comfortable however they like to wear their hair, whether it be natural or styled. Marshall hopes to attract more members this year through recruitment and is especially looking for underclassmen.
“Right now, we have 11 people including myself. Everyone is driven,” Marshall said. “I made sure to get a lot of freshmen and sophomores because I am a senior and the people we had last semester were seniors, and I just wanted to keep it lasting.”
Marshall said she is already thrilled with the growth the organization has seen in the small time that it has been active, especially because, when she first started recruitment, she was new to the school and did not know many students.
“We had eight members when we started, including myself,” Marshall said. “It was hard finding members because I didn’t know that many people, but luckily, the people we contacted had a passion for it.”
Marshall said she is most passionate about making everyone who is interested feel welcome and comfortable. She said she sees the organization as a place for education and growth and wants students to view it as a starting point for whatever goal they may have.
“You’re always welcome to come and start your journey with us,” Marshall said.
Photo provided by Kinks and Kurls
