The holiday season can be tough for a lot of families.
That’s why hairstylist Dani Oglesby started a new tradition with her son this year called 25 Days of Kindness. The goal? To show the people in her community that they’re appreciated.
“A lot of people are self-centered, and we don’t realize it,” Oglesby said. “A lot of kids can be self-centered, not intentionally, so my goal was to teach my kids.”
For the first 25 days of December, Oglesby’s 11-year-old son Jace Wilkerson chooses an activity that demonstrates gratitude — like writing a kind note to someone — and completes it. His mom gathered 25 activities her son could participate in, and each activity is written and hidden inside of a cup filled with tissue paper.
Every day, her son picks a new cup and a new activity. Examples include leaving quarters in the laundromat, holding the door open for strangers, picking up pieces of trash outside and providing a meal to someone who needs it.
For Oglesby, 25 Days of Kindness reflects a broader mission that shapes everything she does — from coaching volleyball to running her hair salon. In each role, she’s working to break down barriers and ensure everyone feels valued.
Inspired by Ms. Jesse
In its first year, 25 Days of Kindness has been gratifying for Oglesby and Jace.
“It just feels good to help people out and make them smile,” Jace said.
He wants to keep it going in the future — and expand it from 25 days to 31. Jace also hopes he can convince his peers and teachers at school to incorporate similar activities in the weeks leading up to the end of the school year. He thinks that would be a great way for his classmates to show their appreciation for each other.
Oglesby said she was inspired by her late grandmother, Jesse Staten, fondly known as Ms. Jesse. The 25 Days of Kindness is part of her effort to live in a way that honors Ms. Jesse’s memory.
“She would be so proud of me for doing something like this,” Oglesby said. “Turning that pain and that sorrow into something that she would … have gladly helped me with, I feel like it’s been rewarding.”
She’s enjoyed seeing how much her son enjoys the activities and how deeply the recipients appreciate the acts of compassion.
“We are responsible for raising emotionally healthy, mentally healthy human beings,” Oglesby said, adding children “will one day project everything that we’ve surrounded them with, said to them, instilled in them.”
Making kindness a lifestyle
Oglesby’s commitment to nurturing young people doesn’t stop with parenting. She also coaches girls volleyball in Indianapolis, where she works to ensure children receive opportunities to grow.
Since sports — especially travelling teams — can be hard to afford, Oglesby provides scholarships through Net Worth Volleyball. The organization has a contract with IndyParks.
“I wanted to create a nonprofit that closes the financial gap,” Oglesby said. “That’s how I got a contract with IndyParks to provide free lessons to kids who are younger, who may not have the money to pay for club or travel sports.”
Oglesby brings that same inclusive spirit to her work as an entrepreneur. As owner of the Bae Bar — a pop-up hair salon — Oglesby makes sure every client who sits in her salon chair can feel confident that their hair needs will be taken care of.
Some salons and hairstylists are only able to accommodate particular hair types or textures, often to the exclusion of Black women. At the Bae Bar, the goal is to provide services for all types of hair. In the past, Oglesby has also provided free hairstyling services.
“I feel like everything that I’ve done in my life, I’ve wanted to be on the side of the like fighting for the smaller person,” Oglesby said. “I’ve been blessed to be able to give my kids everything they need.”
Though only in its first year, 25 Days of Kindness is already a tradition that Oglesby hopes will define her family’s holiday season for years to come.
From parenting to entrepreneurship, Oglesby wants people to feel seen, heard and appreciated.
Contact IndyStar opinion fellow Sadia Khatri at sadia.khatri@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: One note at a time, this Indy mom teaches kindness | Opinion
Reporting by Sadia Khatri, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
