In a time when Black children are being rejected in schools because of their natural hairstyles, an exhibition like Black Follicles Matter is even more important. The colorful portraits from Afros to Dreadlocks, from Twists to Cornrows, reveal a shared history that people all over the world can relate to.

 

Black people are the only people on planet earth who don’t have the fundamental human right to wear their God-given tresses natural, says Photographer Ms. Mireille Liong. Rules based on stereotypical ideas prevent Black people from wearing styles that are natural to their follicles, not just in schools but also in the workplace.

As a consequence 73% of Black women are suffering from relaxer induced alopecia, hair loss related to relaxers and weaves.

With Black Follicles Matter, Ms. Liong is shooting for justice, aiming for equal hair rights, one shot at the time.

Black Follicles Matter is part of Liong’s social enterprise to fundamentally change the perception of natural hair. The IT-graduate published ‘Going Natural, How to Fall in Love with Nappy Hair’ to help women transitioning from chemical relaxers then created Going-Natural.com, one of the earliest social web and networking website with now over 80,000 members, followers and fans. Liong also created WhatNaturalsLove.com, a one stop shop for naturalistas and America’s Next Natural Model.com, an online pageant to promote the beauty of natural hair and create awareness.

The exhibition opens on Friday September 7 at 6:00 pm at Calabar imports. You can RSVP at Going-Natural.com.

Black Follicles Matter
Calabar Imports
351 Tompkins Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 928-3970