Behind The Scenes: Braided and Dreaded To Feature On Back2Besa This Weekend

This week on Back2Besa, Sharron Hayes, owner and CEO of Braided & Dreaded, is sharing her powerful story of perseverance and cultural advocacy through her personal perspective on hair. Hayes is a retired combat military worker who has transformed her struggles with substance abuse into a thriving business that uplifts Black culture and unapologetically serves her community just as she served her country. 

Produced by Evanne Robinson, Hayes' story airing on Back2Besa is one of resilience and overcoming immense obstacles. “I got very emotional watching [the final segment], because it was like watching your baby grow up,” Robinson said, a testament to the emotional weight behind Braided and Dreaded.

Evanne Robinson (left) and Sharron Hayes (right) pose behind the scenes of production for Braided and Dreaded’s Back2Besa segment.

Having meticulously watched Hayes work with clients throughout the production process, Robinson spoke of Hayes' humble nature that she brings to her service. “Whether it is a city councilwoman or a regular woman, or it's a NBA player or a baseball superstar, she treats each and every one of them the exact same,” Robinson said, honored to have had the opportunity to witness Hayes in her element. 

Over the course of production, Robinson and Hayes bonded over loss and strength, a relationship Hayes compared to the relationships she forms with clients to make them feel seen as purely themselves. “Some of the highest successes that I had with some of my clients completely correlated with me having extreme loss at the same time,” she said, a poetic silver lining to her life’s monumental challenges.

Sharron Hayes poses with Omari Salisbury (left) and producer Paul Sanders behind the scenes of her Back2Besa segment airing this weekend.

After serving over 13 years in the army, including two combat tours, Hayes realized that many highly successful individuals in the military, herself included, struggled with alcoholism. Upon her retirement, she bravely sought rehabilitation, motivated to be the best mother and person she could be as she transitioned from a combat military life to a civilian mom. While in rehab, hair unexpectedly became a primary focus, evolving into a purpose that helped her heal from trauma and embrace artistic expression and peace.

The name "Braided & Dreaded" holds significant meaning rooted in Hayes' military service. She recalled the strict "wear and appearance" regulations (670-1) in the Army, particularly when working with high-ranking, often judgmental officials. Appearance, including hair, was of utmost importance, with braids having to strictly conform to regulation and professionalism. In turn, the business was founded to help service members keep their braids and locs within regulation, allowing them to serve in high-ranking positions without facing ridicule or pressure to conform to European beauty standards. 

Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (left) stands with Sharron Hayes (right) after getting her hair done at Braided and Dreaded.

Just as Hayes creates space for people to feel seen as unapologetically who they are, she commended Robinson and Converge Media for the care and intention they put into every element of the process, from asking insightful questions, being patient through roadblocks, and telling her story as authentically as possible. “Not only did you guys do a really good job…but there was a lot of positive feelings: these are my people,” Hayes said in reference to the Converge’s team behind her segment.

Besa Gordon sits behind the camera at Braided and Dreaded while Seattle Mariners shortstop JP Crawford walks behind after getting his hair done.

Above all, Hayes desires for all Black individuals to be highly successful without compromising their appearance or cultural identity. Braided and Dreaded was built on the principle that people should be able to show up as their best, authentic selves, whether they choose to keep their locs or braids, regardless of societal or institutional pressures. 

“I hope that people can understand that adversity can excel creativity. That no matter what you go through, it's never in vain,” Hayes said, proud of her own strength and determination to overcome. “You don't have to be one thing. It does take time to figure out what your thing is, but do it, whatever that looks like and whatever that may be.”

Catch the full story and episode this Saturday at 10:30pm on FOX13 Seattle, 10am Sunday on FOX13+, and free nationwide on the FOX Local App for smartphones and TVs.