Blacc Market Enterprises · Brooklyn · August 2026
"Every child deserves to start the year with confidence."
A full-day community experience — free haircuts, workshops, performances, and a Crown Ceremony for 25–50 Brooklyn kids who earn their spot through a business essay.
From the Founder
Every child deserves to walk into the first day of school feeling ready. Not just looking good — but feeling seen, valued, and prepared for what's ahead.
Samuel Gilmore — Founder, The Crown Project
Blacc Market Enterprises · Brooklyn, NY
First One Out
One backpack. One note. One child walking into the school year knowing somebody had them before the first bell rang.
49 Crowns left to pack.
Claim Your Crown NumberThe Day
From the moment a family arrives to the moment they leave — every minute is intentional. This is what sponsors fund. This is what parents remember. This is what turns a one-time event into a movement.
Check-In
Families arrive. Every child receives a name tag, event program, Crown Project wristband, and resource packet.
Kids are separated into age groups. Parents connect with the Community Resource Zone.
Opening Ceremony
10–15 minutes. Every child learns what the Crown represents and what today means.
The Crown Affirmation
"I am a leader. I am valuable.
I am capable. I wear my crown with confidence."
Grooming Services + Workshop Stations
While kids wait for their service, they rotate through four activity stations.
💰 MONEY MATTERS
Saving, budgeting, entrepreneurship. Crown Dollars included.
🎨 CREATIVE CORNER
Vision boards, drawing, journaling, affirmation cards.
🏆 LEADERSHIP LAB
Teamwork games, public speaking, confidence exercises.
🤝 RESOURCE ZONE
For parents. Housing, employment, financial education, healthcare.
Lunch + Youth Performances
Pizza, water, juice, fruit. Simple. Then the stage opens.
Young singers, dancers, spoken word artists, and rappers take the spotlight. Their families come. The energy shifts.
Afternoon Performance Set
Second round of performances. Grooming and workshops continue.
Media Content Station opens — every child records their name and goal for the school year.
♛ Crown Ceremony — The Emotional Payoff
Every child is called by name. Celebrated publicly in front of the entire room.
Each child receives a certificate, backpack, school supplies, and a Crown Project photo.
This is the moment parents will talk about for years.
Closing Performance
The biggest act closes the show. The room goes out on a high.
Families receive resource packets, future event info, and a follow-up survey on their way out.
"It's more than a haircut.
It's a reminder."
You Are Seen. You Are Valued. You Are Crowned.
Sponsorship Packages
Every package directly funds a specific number of children. You're not buying a logo placement — you're paying for a kid to start the school year feeling ready.
10 sponsors at $250 = $2,500. Breakdown: $1,200 supplies · $500 venue · $500 media & content · $300 emergency fund. Every dollar accounted for.
Crown Barber Network
You don't have to give up a whole day. Pledge the number of kids you're willing to serve — then serve them by appointment at your own shop, on your own schedule.
Each selected child receives an official Crown Card with your shop info. They call you, book an appointment, come in, present the card, and receive their free service. Simple. Powerful. On your terms.
5
Children
10
Children
15
Children
20+
Children
Certificate of Partnership, window decal for your shop, and a digital badge for Instagram and your website.
Professional photos and video of your work. Content you own and can post immediately to build your brand.
Featured on The Crown Project and BME channels. Tagged in reels and recap content reaching the full community.
Every family you serve knows your name and your shop. Those are recurring clients — not one-time customers.
Tell us your name, shop, and how many kids you're pledging.
Family Registration
We're selecting 25–50 children based on two things — financial need and their business essay. The best ideas win a spot. Free haircut, real education, real confidence.
Why an essay?
Spots are limited to 25–50. Priority given to families demonstrating financial need. Essays may be featured on social media with parent permission.
Selection is based on need and your child's business essay. The best 25–50 submissions get picked. Free — always.
✦ The Essay Prompt
"If you could start any business, what would it be? What problem does it solve, who are your customers, and how would you make money?"
Ages 6–10 · Draw it + a few sentences
Ages 11–14 · 1 page written response
Ages 15–18 · 1–2 page business concept
The form asks for:
Your information is private. Essays may be featured on social media with parent permission.
Youth Performers
We're opening the Crown Project stage to young Brooklyn performers. Singers, dancers, spoken word artists, rappers — if you have a gift, this is your platform. Your performance becomes content. Your community sees you shine.
🎤
SINGERS
Original songs or covers. Any genre. All voices welcome.
💃
DANCERS
Solo or group. Any style — hip-hop, afrobeat, contemporary, step.
🎙️
SPOKEN WORD
Original poems, spoken word, or rap. Your story, your words.
🎵
MUSICIANS
Live instruments, beatboxing, production. Show your craft.
What Performers Get
A real stage in front of 200+ community members
Professional video of your performance
Featured on Crown Project and BME social channels
Performer bio in the event program
Requirements
Ages 6–18. Brooklyn-based preferred. Original or cover material welcome. All performances must be family-friendly. Sets are 3–5 minutes. Space is limited to 8–10 performers total.
Apply to PerformApplications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Space is limited to 8–10 performers. You'll be contacted directly to confirm your spot.
Pack a Crown
You don't have to write a check to make an impact. Pack a backpack with school supplies and a handwritten note of encouragement. That bag becomes a Crown — and every child at the event receives one by name.
0
Crowns Claimed
50 remaining
Every Crown is numbered. Every bag has a name. Every child is celebrated.
Goal
50
Crowns
Raised So Far
$200
Community Funded
Can't Pack Right Now?
Not ready to pack yet? Reserve your Crown number now so it's held for you. We'll reach out with drop-off details as the event gets closer. No payment required to pledge.
🎒
I'll Pack It
I'll fill a backpack with supplies and a note
⛪
My Church Will
Our congregation will pack bags together
💰
Fund It — $25
I can't pack but I'll cover the cost of one bag
Once you pledge, your Crown number is reserved. You'll receive drop-off info and your official Crown Card instructions before the event.
Every Bag Gets a Crown Card
Three Ways to Participate
🎒
Pack a Crown
Fill a backpack with supplies and a handwritten note. Drop it off or ship it to us before the event.
Register Your Bag →⛪
Crown Sunday
Bring it to your congregation. Pack bags together as a ministry activity. Your church gets credited as a Crown Partner.
Partner With Us →🎤
Crown Artist Pack
Pack a bag on camera. Sign the Crown Card. Post 15 seconds of it. Tag @iamkingpaysos. That clip builds the movement.
Get Involved →Can't Pack In Person?
Fund a Crown — $25
$25 covers one fully stocked backpack for a child who needs it. We pack it, we Crown Card it, we hand it out at the ceremony — in your name.
Community Contributions
Every $50 covers a child's service. Every dollar moves us closer to the goal. You don't need a business or a logo to invest in this community.
Volunteer your time. Donate supplies — combs, clips, capes, products. Share this page. Tag a local business that should sponsor. The community builds this together.
The Moments We're Building Toward
Community Partners
The Crown Project is built by community — for community. These are the partners who believed in the mission before we had a stage.
Want to be listed here?
Become a Community Partner
Organizations, nonprofits, churches, and businesses are welcome.
The Long Game
The Crown Project isn't a one-time event. It's a mission. Every year it grows — more kids, more stages, more community. The experience we build this August becomes the blueprint for everything that follows.
