The SU Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network (CoC) has expanded its reach into another popular venue within the African-American community. CoC has been involved with beauty and barber shops statewide while continuing to implement policies within the communities, specifically the 100% Tobacco-Free Church initiative.

Regional Coordinator Shawntell Lewis-Harrell has visited several beauty and barber shops in Rapides Parish sharing tobacco-free educational materials and resources with constituents. "Tobacco is killing us," commented Gloria Vallery, owner of Simply Gorgeous Beauty and Barber Shop in Alexandria. "Besides church, beauty and barber shops are usually where a lot of people go to socialize. So, this is a great campaign by CoC Network to reach and educate people where they are."

In addition, the Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, under the tutelage of Rev. Larry D. Smith in Alexandria, successfully completed the 100% Tobacco-Free Church initiative on Sunday, August, 22nd. Two other faith-based organizations in Central Louisiana that adopted and implemented tobacco-free policies are the Greater St. Reed Fellowship Church under the leadership of Pastor Justin Connor in Ferriday and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church led by Pastor Phillip Gallo in Alexandria.

Regional coordinator Frankie Poland began a campaign to spread the message about the dangers of tobacco in the Baton Rouge area by visiting area barber shops and beauty salons. During her visits, she set up informational booths and provided educational materials explaining the effects of tobacco on the body as a whole; the danger of secondhand smoke; cessation and prevention methods. In addition to the booth displays, Poland engaged the patrons in interactive conversations.

Joan Louis, owner of MoHair Beauty Salon, agreed to have a permanent display placed near the entrance of her facility. Royal Brooks, a barber at Cosey's Barber Shop, said he has firsthand experience about the hazards of tobacco use as he had tried for years to get his mother to stop smoking. He was unsuccessful and she finally succumbed to lung cancer. He has since placed a sign in his shop window that reads: "No Smoking in or Around Barber Shop."

By 2020, the World Health Organization expects 10 million people a year to die from smoking throughout the world. However, the SU Ag Center’s CoC Network is working to significantly reduce that number, especially within the African-American community.

To join our efforts and help make change happen in your region, please contact director Linda Early Brown at 225-771-4456.

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