For the past few years in particular, there’s been a beautiful, worldwide reclamation of black, natural hairstyles. With generations of discrimination, stereotypes and stigma placed upon black people wearing their hair, exactly the way it grows from their heads, the tide is finally turning – and now, there’s even a whole day dedicated to the appreciation of Afro hair! Created by Michelle De Leon, World Afro Day® is scheduled for Saturday 15th September, with a special awards event in London to celebrate. Here, Michelle tells us more about it…
World Afro Day® is a global day of change, education and celebration of Afro hair, culture and identity. One of my main inspirations in starting this was my seven-year-old daughter; one day she was singing about how much she loved her hair and I was amazed, because I had never felt that positive about my hair at her age. Then I had this overwhelming feeling, of wanting all girls around the world with Afro type hair to feel that good too. On a more negative side, I was motivated to create this celebration after hearing the same story repeated around the world of struggle and negativity about Afro hair. I just thought, ‘Let’s stop this and celebrate the hair we have,’ which is actually wonderful.
Before launching in 2017, I’d mulled this idea around in my mind for about a year. What should it be called? What should I do? Where should it be? The idea felt really ‘out there’ at first, but then I started to talk to friends and family about it. Then, in the USA, a law against dreadlocks in the workplace was passed on the 15th September 2016; it felt like a line in the sand. That just put fire in my belly! I was outraged that in the 21st century, there could be a law passed against dreadlocks. This battle suddenly felt very personal; my daughter’s hair had spontaneously locked one day, when she was just three, simply because of a dodgy shampoo. How could it be right that there was now a law against her hair!?
Michelle and students at Roundhay School
World Afro Day® (WAD) is an unexpected journey and you get all types of reactions to it, from black and non-black people alike. Sometimes, there is ignorance; sometimes there’s rejection of the issue, then also embracing the cause as well. However, laughter is the worst reaction. I still find that, the most irritating because I know how much pain has been caused because of our hair – it’s no laughing matter! But the logistics are huge, especially as the project grows. We are a really small team, and I am currently doing it in my spare time, like a hobby – but it deserves so much more than that!
Like most black women, I’ve had a lot of hairstyles over the years. I have been mostly natural now for over 20 years but before that, I did it all: Jheri curl, relaxer, extensions, twists, bantu knots, wig cap, you name it – I was a hairdresser’s dream. I now wear Sisterlocks.
WAD is a very inclusive day. We hope that everyone can join in by either coming to the event, wearing a WAD T-shirt, posting photos and spreading the message of Afro love. Our new focus, all year round is our Education Programme, which is getting WAD lessons into schools nationally and internationally.
The future of World Afro day is looking great. We are starting the first global awards, celebrating Afro success throughout society. People can vote on various categories and we have special US guest Benny Harlem coming. I’m even scheduled to visit the United Nations to tell them all about World Afro Day® – so that is really exciting!
For more details, visit www.worldafroday.com
