Privacy Policy

At The Braid Initiative ("we," "our," or "us"), we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information of our participants, their families, and our partners. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, protect, and disclose personal information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information to better serve our participants:

  • Personal Information: Name, contact details (phone number, email), and guardian information (if applicable).

  • Participation Information: Details about participation in our braiding workshops, events, and classes, including braiding progress and preferences.

  • Demographic Information: Age, gender, and community involvement, to ensure our programs are inclusive and tailored to diverse groups.

  • Health Information (if applicable): Any medical or special needs information shared voluntarily, to ensure a safe and comfortable experience during our sessions. (We do not require health information but may collect it if relevant for specific needs, with your consent.)

2. How We Use Information

We use the personal information we collect to:

  • Provide Braiding Education: To conduct our workshops, classes, and events and track participants’ progress.

  • Ensure Safe Participation: To provide a safe environment, including accommodations for health or special needs (if applicable).

  • Improve Our Services: To enhance and tailor our programs based on feedback and participant data.

  • Communicate with Participants: To send updates, reminders, and information about upcoming programs, events, and other relevant activities.

  • Comply with Legal and Safety Requirements: To ensure that we meet any legal requirements or respond to any incidents that may arise.

3. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We value your privacy and will not sell or share personal information for marketing purposes. However, we may disclose information in the following situations:

  • With Authorized Parties: We may share information with trusted service providers, instructors, or community partners to deliver our educational programs or respond to specific needs, such as healthcare providers (with consent).

  • Legal Requirements: If required by law, such as a subpoena or court order, we may disclose personal information to comply with legal obligations.

  • With Your Consent: In certain cases, we may request your explicit consent before sharing your personal information, especially for specific purposes such as partnerships, media appearances, or promotional content.

4. Data Security & Confidentiality

We take reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality and security of your personal information, including:

  • Secure Record-Keeping: All personal and participation data is stored securely, with restricted access.

  • Staff Confidentiality: Our staff, instructors, and volunteers are trained in privacy and confidentiality and are required to maintain strict confidentiality when handling personal information.

  • Electronic Security: We use modern security protocols, including encryption and secure servers, to protect your information from unauthorized access.

5. Rights of Participants & Guardians

Participants and their guardians have the following rights:

  • Access to Information: You can request access to your personal information that we have collected.

  • Correction of Information: If any personal information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request corrections.

  • Withdrawal of Consent: If you no longer wish to share certain information or participate in our program, you can withdraw consent at any time (subject to program policies).

  • Data Deletion: You may request that your personal data be deleted, subject to legal or program retention requirements.

To exercise these rights, please contact us directly using the details provided on our website.

6. Data Retention

We will retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations, and resolve any disputes. After this period, data will be securely deleted.

7. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. Any changes will be posted on our website, and the updated policy will apply to all information we hold.