Photographer: Stephanie Yuvienco
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- Francialain: “I just started accepting myself just now. Just being in this environment it makes me feel like everyone can look however they look and still slay and still be beautiful.”
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- Gemai: “I did my big chop and that was the toughest part of my natural hair journey because I’m never used to short hair. I didn’t find myself cute at all, but I got my hair to where I want it. My curls be poppin’ and my curls are back, baby.”
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- Keren: “It really feeds your soul to be around so many people who are like-minded. It’s really a movement for publicity, so little black girls can see that it’s okay for black women to come together and just vibe positively. Also, you can get good ideas for what you next hairstyle or outfit can be.”
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- Esther: “I remember growing, being natural was looked down upon and now it’s just the norm. I think an event like this is extremely important to allow us to appreciate our hair. To know that we don’t have to straighten our hair to go into the workplace. We can appreciate our curls and who we are naturally.”
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- Clara: “Growing up we were exposed to Barbies and Brats with straight hair. That’s what we grew to see as beautiful. We didn’t have representation in the media or anywhere actually. It has made you feel like your hair wasn’t the norm and you had to conform to be beautiful. Returning natural has made me realize that my natural hair is beautiful and it makes me appreciate everyone’s natural hair too.”
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- Shahirha: “You are with yourself 24/7, so it’s important to remember that you’re the only person who can change that and make yourself feel good at the end of the day.”
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- Edith: “Just know that you are enough the way that you are. There is nothing that needs to be added or taken away. You will learn that things will be tough and you won’t like this or that. But just know that the way that you are is perfect.”
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- Vonetta: “Beauty was always enforced in my household. The age I realized that it was important for me to do it was probably around middle school. It’s a whole process and even today, I’m still finding myself and loving myself.” Photographed by Stephanie Yuvienco
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- Tiffany: “It’s important for me to have her see reflections of herself, and this is a great place for her to come and see that. Society doesn’t celebrate us enough, so we have to uplift each other. Her seeing this at this young age, even though she might not remember, as she gets older and she starts to question who she is, she’ll draw back on these memories.”
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