The BlackExcellence: #ALLABOUTHAIR project is about diversifying the fashion and beauty industries through art. In these industries, African Americans have to conform to “standards” that aren’t always easy to achieve especially when it comes to hair. Creating a platform to showcase the next generation of creatives as well as positively representing African-American people is very important not only in the media, but in our own communities as well. In this feature, I asked ten black business owners and creatives to discuss what their hair means to them, and what stereotypes surrounding black hair they wish to dismantle.
Cambry Hicks / @cambryh
Artist/Creative Director
“One issue I have is when people think it’s okay to touch your hair without asking, or comparing it to some object that actually has nothing to do with your hair at all. Our hair, skin, or culture is not to be fetishized or belittled for amusement. I created this project to showcase the different styles, textures, and versatility of black hair and I feel that it’s important not only to educate ourselves and non-poc about our hair, but also to assure ourselves that our hair is beautiful in a society that doesn’t always seem to believe that. I want to be able to inspire the young girl who feels she should relax her hair because she feels that’s what society wants, or the young boy who is afraid to embrace his natural texture. But I also want to be able to showcase to non-poc that everyone is beautiful even in their most natural form.”
James Bambu / @jamesbambu
Singer/Songwriter
“One stereotype that has been placed on Black hair is that we enjoy over-the-top hairstyles because we, as a people, are overzealous, overconfident, and boisterous. While this assumption on the average black personality is true for some, there are people in all races and ethnicities with the same type of personality, and then some. What we can do is continue to inform non-blacks that we love an over-the-top hairstyle because natural, black hair is the most versatile type of hair in the human race, and it is to be styled and treated in an artistic, uniquely extravagant way, because naturally (no pun), we’ve been on this wave since the beginning of time. We have so many different textures of hair over the span of the diaspora, that it’s impossible to find a hairstyle we can’t do. So, why would we ever tone it down? As a people, we create masterpieces because we can, and hair, fashion and beauty aren’t excluded.”
Halle Cherry / @hallecherry
Content Creator/Jewelry Designer
“It is said that dark-skinned girls cannot grow long hair, and we are bald headed from using weaves and wigs. If we have ‘good hair’, we must be mixed with something else other than just being black. What makes me stand out is my voice. I like to use my platform to bring awareness to racism and colorism in the fashion industry.”
Noah Lovechild / @ilovemcchiiicken
Model/Rapper
“I feel that people think if dreadlocks aren’t done and twisted, it means that they’re unkempt and dirty. I think that we can change this idea by showing the cleaning process that goes into taking care of locs.”
Taylor Williams / @taydatottts
Student/Model
“I take on different hats of trade all the time. I enjoy coding, prepping and planning shoots, modeling, and practicing photography. Learning everything I can keeps me going. People think that weave is for ‘ratchet’, low-income people when in reality weave is not cheap nor is the services that go along with it. In my honest opinion, people’s opinions of us haven’t changed much since the beginning of time. We just gotta keep doing us and let the opinions of the world not matter so much.”
Jera Irwin / @jerairwin
Designer/Stylist/Model
“The biggest stereotype I’ve noticed has been that black hair is seen as unprofessional. Our hair has always been sought after by non-poc but never really appreciated on us. Everybody wants to be black without really wanting to be black. We can continue to change these incorrect stereotypes by proving them wrong as we’ve always done.”
Alexis Cottrell / @t.r.e.l.l._kreations
Designer/Student
“I think a big misconception that has been put on the shoulders of African-American women is that if you wear a weave or a wig, you’re trying to please someone else or you want to be accepted by society. Many women want to be versatile and change the color, length, or style of their hair without doing it to their own. It’s also a form of expression for many black women and it also has great benefits. The only way to change this misconception is to continue being ourselves and eventually the rest of the world will follow.”
Edrece Stansberry / @edrecestansberry
Photographer/Content Strategist
“Growing up I lived in a predominantly Caucasian area. A stereotype I would always hear was that African-American people all had ‘nappy hair.’ I think this assumption can be changed by showing the versatility of our hair and to feel beautiful in our own skin and taking care of the hair we’re blessed to have.”
Ella Wonka / @ellawonka
Makeup Artist
“A misconception that I think has been placed on black hair is that it’s not beautiful. I believe we can change these stereotypes by advertising black hair in the same way and just as much as non-black hair is advertised.”
Crim Pharen / @crim.del.la
Model
“Growing up my grandma used to tell me to cut my hair so I would stop looking like a ‘wild man.’ This still affects me to this day. Some people think that men having long hair is ‘feminine’ or not typical to what a man should look like. Being a man isn’t defined by your hair or any physical factor. I think the biggest thing is challenging and changing beliefs similar to these in the future to make sure that ignorance and self hate doesn’t steep into the next generation.”
Editorial Team:
Creative Director: Cambry H / @cambryh
Makeup: Ella Wonka / @ellawonka
Photographer: Edrece Stansberry / @edrecestansberry
Graphic Design: Kelsey Martin / @ogkillakels
Stylist: Brea Pipkins / @littlebreathatcould
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