Citizens and soldiers, both current and former, came together for the fifth annual Armed Forces Natural Hair and Health Expo.
The event took place at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center, and was centered around teaching soldiers how to style and embrace their natural hair, and take care of their physical and mental health.
Performers hit the stage, speakers spoke, and classes were taught at the expo. Veteran Luvina Sabree, founder and organizer of the event, said the event is all about uplifting the community.
"The biggest thing I want [is for] them to be educated, and then I want them to feel empowered," Sabree said. "If they feel educated, and they feel empowered, then I've done my job."
Sabree brought in one of the youngest motivational speakers in the country to make sure those who attended the event felt empowered when the left.
Nyeeamham "King Nahh" Hudson recently had a video go viral online, after sending out a message to all kids that what a person wears should not be a reason to pick on anyone.
"There are a lot of people who are down, they're miserable in this world, and they just need somebody to motivate them," Hudson said. "That's why I feel like I come in -- to motivate that person."
Sabree said this year's expo had a big first, because she was able to work with the Killeen Independent School District to bring in their cosmetology students to teach hair braiding at the event.
The veteran said although the date is not yet set, she looks forward to next year's expo.
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