black girl hair is art at every moment
This year’s Ode is a love letter to Black girls centering the sacredness of hair. This year’s Ode responds to the moments throughout girlhood- namely school presentations, prom and graduation- where we are taught to question the sacredness of our hair due to policies that dishonor our crowns.
This project proudly amplifies The Crown Act; To date, only 23 of 50 states have signed the Crown Act established to “Create a Respectful & Open World for National Hair”
Data reveals that Black girls are impacted by racialized hair discrimination as early as 5. On average teenage Black girls are missing a week of school due to hair dissatisfaction. The data also reveals that Black girls are criminalized and excluded from school activities due to hair- certain school systems prevent students from participating in graduation ceremonies with braids or hair colors.
In addition to its advocacy, we hope that this project settles in Black girls’ spirits like a love letter, and calls the world to love Black girls better.
Produced by: Justice for Black Girls | Photography: Myesha Evon Gardner | Video & Film: Courtney Lett and Shamell Mason
Hair: B.Lee | Styling: Kim Lofton Bradley | Dress: Ashale Customs
Sponsor: Nike Black Community Commitment Fund
“Black people’s hair, in any case, was definitely alive. Left alone and untended it was like foliage and from a distance it looked like nothing less than the crown of a deciduous tree.”
— Toni Morrison, TAR BABY
