YLM Back to School Bash

On July 27, You Look Like Me (YLM) hosted its impactful Back-to-School Bash, an event dedicated to preparing students for the upcoming school year while building a stronger, more connected community. The initiative was led by Avaughn Johnson, CEO of YLM, and Sanya Griffin, Co-CEO, whose shared commitment to youth development continues to drive real change throughout Jackson, Mississippi.

But what is YLM?

YLM stands for You Look Like Me, a nonprofit organization based in Jackson, MS that works to provide high school and college students with better opportunities to be successful in life. The Back-to-School Bash was a direct reflection of that mission: empowering youth, easing burdens for families, and showing students what’s possible when their community comes together in support.

This event featured a special partnership with Ms. Tracey Williams, owner of Tracey’s Cuts and Executive Barber College. Thanks to her support, 10 student barbers from the college volunteered their time to offer free haircuts to kids in attendance helping students start the school year with confidence while gaining hands on experience themselves.

In addition to haircuts, families received free school supplies, making sure students had the tools they need to succeed. The Jackson Heart Study provided free health screenings, highlighting the importance of physical wellness as part of academic readiness.

And of course, no community event is complete without a little fun! The Bash included a space jump, refreshing Italian ice, and a local food truck, creating a lively, family-friendly atmosphere that brought people of all ages together.

The Back-to-School Bash wasn’t just about the first day of school it was about planting seeds of opportunity, self-worth, and encouragement. Events like this show exactly what YLM stands for: creating access, nurturing relationships, and helping young people see that their potential is limitless.

Thanks to the leadership of CEO Avaughn Johnson, Co-CEO Sanya Griffin, and the generous support of community partners like Ms. Tracey Williams, You Look Like Me continues to uplift and inspire the next generation reminding every student, “You look like me, and that means you can do great things.”