Atlanta-area women of curls are lining up to be styled by 10 of the top “Curly Hair Artists” from across the US and Canada at a “Rock Your Blessing” fundraiser Oct. 23 from 10am to 5pm at Southern Curl, Inc., the area’s premier “curly hair” salon. Founded by renowned Curly Hair Artist, Robin Sjoblom, Southern Curl Inc. cohosts the event with Innersense Organic Beauty and NaturallyCurly.com benefitting Devri Velazquez, who suffers from Takayasu Vasculitis, a rare, chronic autoimmune disease. For Atlanta-area women of curls, “Rock Your Blessing” offers a unique opportunity to be cut and styled by a handful of the most curl-qualified artists on the continent.

Women of curls are encouraged to sign up now for a full-service blessing cut with one of the 10 artists on board. The one and a half to two hours service includes a consult, precise “curl by curl” cut, full dry and style and take home “curlscription” for a minimum donation of $150. A swag bag and take home gift are included. Located in Atlanta’s trendy west midtown district at MWest 1339 Marietta Blvd NW, Suite A, Southern Curl Inc. will also donate 10 percent of the event’s retail sales to Devri’s fundraising initiative.

In 2011, at the age of 20, Devri was diagnosed with Takayasu’s Vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease. A blood vessel condition that prevents the heart from pumping blood to the rest of the body, Takayasu’s Vasculitis is diagnosed in only 1 out of every 3 million people; most of those are given a lifespan of about 10 years. In May of 2014, Devri created a Go Fund Me page to help cover medication, chemotherapy and out-of-pocket expenses. A writer and editor for NaturallyCurly.com, Devri remains focused. “It is imperative to me to stay true to my values of being a hard-working, happy and determined young woman. Life is beautiful and every day really does count,” she says.

Cohosting the event is Innersense Organic Beauty, a pure, organic and toxin-free hair care line beloved in the curly girl world and NaturallyCurly.com, one of the leading websites supporting the textured community. Innersense founders Greg and Joanne Starkman and NaturallyCurly.com reps will be on hand for Q and A and education.

Thank you Robin (pictured above on the right) for contacting me to share this event. We love to support charitable causes! To book a Rock Your Blessing session or to donate, email fundraiser@southerncurlatl.com; attendees will be pre-qualified via phone consult. For more information on Devri and her challenges, visit her blog at devrivelazquez.com and her Go Fund Me page at gofundme.com/devrisfight.