GREENSBORO, NC — It started with a simple idea in a local barbershop ten years ago. Today, it has grown into one of the largest community-driven back-to-school events in the region. Heads Up For Our Youth (HUFOY) is set to host its milestone 10th Annual Back to School Rally — The Big 10: A Decade of Impact and Community Celebration on Sunday, August 10th, 2025, at the First Horizon Coliseum Special Events Center. Doors open at 2:00 PM, with festivities kicking off at 3:00 PM sharp.
Who’s Behind It?
This year’s massive effort is led by HUFOY’s dedicated leadership team: Executive Director Dwayne Shaw, Co-Founder and Program Director Rick Morton, and Chairwoman Jennifer Dove. The planning and execution have been months in the making, with Executive Board Members Terrence Johnson, Tim McKain, Ebony Burnett, Cherissa Alston, Marquis Broadnax, Deonte Monroe, and Kimberly John-Burns working tirelessly since January to make this year the biggest yet.
What’s Happening?
More than just a giveaway, the rally is a full-fledged Family Fun Community Event designed to inspire, empower, and equip students for a successful school year. HUFOY and its community partners — including Truliant Federal Credit Union, The McKain Partnership Group, Volvo Financial Services, Andmore, The Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, and the First Horizon Coliseum Complex — aim to provide 1,000 students with quality bookbags and essential school supplies.
This year’s event will also feature HUFOY’s signature Pop-Up Barbershop, where youth can receive free haircuts, trims, and edge-ups to start the new school year with confidence and style. Plus, families can look forward to exciting raffles and door prizes, adding extra surprises throughout the day. And for the first time ever, HUFOY will proudly award its inaugural $1,000 scholarship to a deserving Guilford County student — a powerful new way to invest in local youth and their educational journey.
But the support doesn’t stop there. Families will have access to over 30 community resources ranging from mental health therapists and pediatric care to swimming lessons, music education, tutoring, and sports training. There’s even a job fair offering training and opportunities for substitute teachers, cafeteria staff, and bus drivers.
Where’s the Fun?
Young people and their families can look forward to an interactive Fun and Learning Zone packed with games and activities to create lasting memories. One of the day’s highlights will be The Big 10 Scholars and Hoopers Basketball Game, with special guest announcer Joe Pope, showcasing some of North Carolina’s top AAU talent. The halftime show will feature spirited performances from Jogg Cheer under Coach Jae, alongside a dunk contest, a 3-point contest, and the fan-favorite youth tug-of-war. Keeping the energy high all afternoon will be DJ Tito, ensuring the celebration stays lively and upbeat.
Why It Matters
At its heart, the Back to School Rally is about more than supplies — it’s about bringing the community together to prepare students not just for the classroom, but for life. And thanks to generous donations from individuals, community leaders, local businesses, and organizations who believe in HUFOY’s mission, this event remains completely free for families to attend.
“This rally reminds every child that they are supported, loved, and surrounded by people who want to see them succeed,” says Executive Director Dwayne Shaw.
How to Get Involved
Families, volunteers, and community partners are all encouraged to take part in this landmark day of giving back. To learn more, donate, register a child, or sign up to volunteer, visit www.hufoy.org.
Come celebrate The Big 10 with HUFOY as they create the change they want to see — one student, one family, and one community at a time.
HUFOY’s mission is to provide economic development and educational opportunities and equality for underserved youth in Greensboro NC and surrounding areas. Through strategic partnerships with organizations, community leaders, and businesses, we create programs for the educational growth and personal development of those we serve. Our goal is to empower youth to overcome barriers, achieve academic success, and thrive in their communities, fostering a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
Everything we do is centered on the premise of making life better for the youth and their families in our community. Every positive encounter, every risky behavior that is diverted and every thoughtful choice made is a testament to the work we do. Every positive outcome for the youth we serve is a positive outcome for us all, and it is with help from caring individuals , community leaders and businesses like yours that we are able to expand our reach and create a lasting impact for our children.
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, whose contributions were key to making the rally a memorable occasion:
– Truliant Federal Credit Union
– Smart Flip
– Red Classic
– Greensboro Coliseum Complex
– Heads Up Barber and Beauty
– Batson-Cook Construction Company
– Modern Infiniti
Your partnership helped us make a lasting impact on the lives of so many young students, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Rick Morton, DC Creighton, Tank Robinson, Kirk Thorpe, Michael McGorda, Jason Cox, Phil Lawson, Jarus Rice, Dwayne Shaw
(not show in photo Grade A Dre, Myles and Crystal)
Heads Up Barber and Beauty was more than just a place for haircuts; it was a hub of community spirit and service. Rick Morton and Dwayne Shaw, along with their team of barber brothers, had cultivated an atmosphere where conversation flowed as freely as the clippers buzzed.
One day, while Rick was deftly shaping a client’s hair, he was approached by none other than Kerry Charles, a Fox 8 News anchor. Kerry, struck by the camaraderie and sense of purpose in the barbershop, proposed an idea to Rick: What if they offered free haircuts to a group of students in need?
Rick, always receptive to opportunities to give back, immediately embraced the idea. And thus, the Big Brother Barber program was born. With the support of Dwayne and their barber brothers, they began offering free haircuts to students, coupled with mentorship and guidance.
The program quickly gained traction, with each event drawing more students and volunteers eager to make a difference. As word spread, so did the impact of the program, touching the lives of countless young individuals in the community.
However, Rick, Dwayne, and their team realized that there was more they could do to support the youth in their community. They saw a need for financial literacy education and resources, recognizing that empowerment went beyond just a fresh haircut.
So, they expanded their efforts, launching the Financial Literacy Program to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they needed to navigate their financial futures confidently.
But they didn’t stop there. They knew that education was key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering young people to reach their full potential. And so, they established the Annual Back to School Rally, providing students with essential school supplies and resources to start the academic year off right.
To date, the impact of Heads Up For Our Youth continues to grow, touching the lives of countless young people in Greensboro and beyond. From humble beginnings in a barbershop to a thriving nonprofit organization, Rick, Dwayne, and their team remain committed to uplifting and empowering the youth in their community, one haircut, one lesson, and one school supply at a time.
© 2022 Heads Up For Our Youth All Rights Reserved.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit, Tax I.D. 47-3146377
