A mom and daughter pictured at a previous Curl Fest celebration.
Picture Credit score: shellblair/curlfest
Curl Fest at BRIC Have fun Brooklyn will happen on the Lena Horne Bandshell at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Aug. 17, to rejoice ten years of empowerment and celebration.
The long-lasting, ground-breaking occasion that was based on the rules of inclusivity and self-expression will run from 12:00pm to 7:00pm.
Co-founders, Charisse Higgens, Gia Lowe, Melody Henderson, Tracey Coleman, and Simone Mair who launched the pageant in 2014, are excited to welcome 1000’s of patrons to the world’s largest pure hair pageant, set to showcase life-style expression and attract.
The entrepreneurs advised Caribbean Life, on August 6, that the thought happened in 2009, after a good friend who was returning to the pure look, requested for recommendation on learn how to embark on the journey.
“She reached out to her community by way of a google e mail thread, earlier than group chats have been even a factor, to get recommendation on the brand new journey from her buddies. From there, we added buddies of buddies, and we grew to develop into over 70 individuals the world over.”
“We had individuals in e mail thread that have been in Ghana, Switzerland, throughout Brooklyn, and completely different components of the U.S.,” they mentioned.
The mega hair pageant grew to a historic motion from home-based conferences to occasions, to massive venues all through New York.
“We did that till the demand was so nice, that traces have been across the nook. This was simply by phrase of mouth. At the moment social media was simply selecting up on Instagram and Fb, and we realized there was a requirement that we may no lengthy meet at small venues,” mentioned the women.
(L to R) Charisse Higgins, Simone Mair, Tracey Coleman, Gia Lowe & Melody HendersonPicture Credit score: shellblair/curlfest
Right this moment, ten years for the reason that revolution of black, brown, and curly hair have develop into a pattern, Curl Fest has an outstanding rave the world over. The women used social media to construct the model, noting that it was vital to launch the pageant to have a secure house for individuals to really feel seen and heard.
With exhausting work, dedication, and keenness, the companions made the pageant successful, noting, “It’s greater than us.”
“Oftentimes, after we, as black girls exit into the world, we should change or alter our look to slot in. Whether or not it’s in Company America, from the place a number of of us got here from, the subject is usually our hair, or we felt like we needed to perm our hair to, I say this in quotations, ’look personable. We have been made to really feel that our pure hair was unkempt,” they shared. “We’ve these secure areas the place we have been going again to our roots, not solely to really feel stunning, however embrace the best way that the hair grows out of our scalps, and for well being causes. We later discovered that perming poses well being threat.”
“We’re selling a more healthy model of ourselves. We deserve to indicate up in locations the best way that we’re naturally born, the identical means another race or another particular person can. Over the past ten years, pure magnificence has proven up in lots of sides of life. We’re seeing our shades being included in cosmetics. It was only one shade, and we needed to mix to get our appropriate shade. This has modified,” they mentioned. “We’re seeing extra girls that appear to be us come out with magnificence manufacturers, and extra illustration. We nonetheless have a technique to go. It’s essential for us to guarantee that we’re included.”
The companions have seen strides for the reason that pageant began, noting that individuals are grateful and loving the chance to rejoice them, mentioned the women, who have partnered with manufacturers, Shea Moisture, Kiss, Monster, Subject Eye Dwelling and new model, Sacred.
“We’re a small however mighty group behind this model. Being again in Brooklyn, and again to our roots is so vital to us. It feels, natural, and magical they mentioned.”
“We’re captivated with our mission and having the ability to unfold pure magnificence world wide and join manufacturers to our group. And in case you are a model or small enterprise that’s , we’re excited to associate all 12 months round, not simply in the course of the pageant,” mentioned the group.
Tickets can be found on www.ticketmaster.com in varied tiers. To study extra, log onto www.curlfest.com.
