House Joint Resolution recognizes Cleveland Swain’s community service
by S. Rotan Hale
It was a packed house Sunday, May 5 at Loudon Avenue Christian Church, in Northwest where a ceremony, held after regular morning worship service, honored hairstylist Cleveland Swain for his years in business and for his community service.
For 21 years Cleveland has owned and operated Diva’s House of Hair–a popular shop at Lamplighter Mall on Williamson Rd. in Northwest.
During the brief ceremony, “Yodie,” as he is commonly referred to by family, friends and many clients, accepted the plaque that outlined Virginia General Assembly House Joint Resolution #463, presented by Virgina Delegate Sam Rasoul.
The 46 year-old Roanoke native has been doing hair since he was a child and fondly remembers how he loved to brush his mother Naomi’s hair. At the service she sat proudly, smiling during the proceedings.
Cleveland graduated from William Fleming High School and attended Virginia Western Community College. Shortly thereafter, he relocated to Washington D.C. where he studied at Potomac Hair Academy, in Falls Church, VA. He returned home, finished his certification and received his license through Virginia Hair Academy.
Among things that led to the honor was his donation of time and services to a program at Goodwill Industries–cosmetically grooming women to re-enter the work force.
“I believe in giving back,” he said “It brings me joy when these women come in like regular customers–nobody knows they come through Goodwill and I do their hair for free! They get VIP service just like all of my clients,” he added.
Cleveland also entered an agreement with Social Services to conduct classes for White parents who have adopted Black and bi-racial children with hair such parents don’t quite know how to manage.
Rasoul read the entire resolution that also made reference to Cleveland’s services and his “charismatic personality and attentive service has built a loyal customer base… that helps women feel beautiful, comfortable and confident.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve this community,” he said after accepting the honor. Humbly he thanked his family (particularly his mother), team stylist Jihad Barbee, his many clients and Delegate Sam Rasoul–his personal friend and client who pushed this most deserving resolution through.
