Andrea Pezzillo, a celebrity hairstylist in LA, reached out to me a few months ago about donating makeup for her recent visit to Jamaica to work with students, assisting them in training for a career in makeup and hair. Her non-profit, Trade-Works Foundation, creates a thriving internship program in each community they serve, providing job opportunities and business education. Trade-Works foundation began from Andrea’s vision to share her god given talents with those around the world. Trade-Works’ goal is to ensure a world where everyone knows their purpose, has the resources to achieve their potential and the power to influence their community.
Charity work has always been an integral part of my life, so when Andrea (an SPC Fan) contacted me, I jumped at the opportunity to help and wanted to support her in her efforts! We donated a substantial amount of makeup to her, particularly our colors that work on darker skin tones.
The Trade-Works team recently returned from their Jamaica project, beaming from such an incredible experience. In just two weeks, they traveled to three schools teaching students techniques they would not have had the opportunity to learn in Kingston, Jamaica. In addition, they worked with them to better understand business procedures. Because of our support and donations, they were able to provide each student with their FIRST ever makeup kit to begin a successful career in our industry.
Our support contributed to making an outstanding difference in these young girl’s lives. It means the world to me to be able to use my own career path to help other’s achieve their goals and craft a bright, sustainable future. Although I could not be there, the pictures I received spoke for themselves; the joy in the student’s faces was obvious. I have never walked in any of these students shoes, yet I was able to inspire them through a project that has also altered my life, and that’s a blessing.
