Hundreds of families packed East High School on Sunday afternoon for the Bigger Than Us: Back to School Giveaway, an event designed to help students start the new school year on a positive note.
The community expo featured free bookbags, school supplies, food, haircuts and more. Organizers say it’s not just about what goes into the bags — it’s about providing support and confidence for families as classes resume this week.
“This was really the brainchild of Keelan, a local barber, and we worked together for the last couple of years to put it together,” said Youngstown City Schools Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. “I feel really proud. I feel really good. You see families out, we have principals, teachers, and central office staff volunteering. As a superintendent, this is the way you want to start the school year.”
The event was made possible by a collaboration of partners, including R.E.S.P.E.C.T., YMCA, The Light Church, CIRV Youngstown, YCSD, Excalibur Barber and several other local barbers and stylists.
For Bilal, giving kids a fresh haircut before school is about much more than appearance.
“One of the most important days is to be able to go to school with a fresh cut and confidence for that year,” Bilal said. “When we start off with confidence, everything else throughout the year goes so much better, especially when you have the support of the community behind you.”
Bilal said the event is part of a tradition of back-to-school drives that barbershops and community groups have hosted for years, but never before on this scale. He hopes the collaboration continues to grow.
“It’s one of the best feelings to be able to make somebody else feel good,” Bilal said. “We want to keep doing this type of large collaboration on this scale, and maybe even bigger for years to come.”
Organizers say the goal is to make the Bigger Than Us event an annual tradition, expanding each year so every child can feel prepared to succeed when they walk into school.