KEYRIS MANZANARES: This is “Hair We Go”, a summer program where Richmond girls learn the art of braiding and the basics of entrepreneurship.

The program's founder says this 10-week camp empowers girls aged 11 through 19 by reminding them that they already hold power in their hands.

SHAVON RAGSDALE: You need to teach youth how to be themselves, how to, you know, find their way.

And like I tell my students, you know, if you can braid you can start a business.

It's just so much more than braiding.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: The girls practice on mannequins while professional hairstylists teach them traditional and trending styles, passing down techniques and real life experience.

TATEYANA RUCKER: Having this type of access, teaching them a skill, something that they can carry with them, and helping them to establish themselves as young adults and creating wealth for them and, you know, financial assistance.

Helping them to learn how to run a business.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: Here - braiding isn't just a new skill to learn, but can be a way to carry on family tradition.

JAZMIN RICHBURG: I love braiding, I love doing hair.

Yesterday I did a braid down for my aunt for her birthday.

I grew up in a family of hairstylists and all of them, so it kind of grew on me a bit.

My aunt still do my hair.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: For the girls, and for the founder who created the camp she wished she had, Hair We Go is a place where self-empowerment builds confidence and braids become blueprints for big dreams.

SHAVON RAGSDALE: I just want to be that positive person to help girls see that they are more than what they know.

KEYRS MANZANARES: Keyris Manzanares, VPM News.