The Women of Color Conference is an annual Brooklyn College event that opens a dialog on social issues important to Black women. Experts are invited to discuss topics like media representation and self esteem with the goal to help graduating students get a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and to send a positive message. This year’s topic is natural hair themed “Weaving Through the Kinks.”

RSVP for the Screening

 

Soon to be Brooklyn College Alum Benewaa Bonsu who has her roots in Ghana is the organizer of the event. Besides the wonderful Lurie Daniel Favors author of Afro State of Mind who is the keynote speaker at the event, the Going Natural Video Diaries is also on the agenda to be screened. Benewaa is also one of the people who is featured by Director Drs. Mireille Liong, to share her hair story in the film.

Soon to be Brooklyn College Alum Benewaa Bonsu who has her roots in Ghana is the organizer of the event. She is also one of the people who is featured by Director Drs. Mireille Liong, to share her hair story in the film.

Capturing a movement in Motion

Liong, a Social Entrepreneur with a Master Degree in IT, isn’t new to the natural hair world. She is the author of Going Natural, How to Fall in Love with Nappy Hair, founder of America’s Next Natural Model and creator of Going-Natural.com, a social web and networking site with over 35,000 members.

‘In a time when almost every digital device can record video we don’t have to wait ten years from now to look back on a movement’, says Liong. It’s a perfect time to picture development in motion and she continues.

My goal is to capture the natural hair movement while it’s happening to see how we as a people connect, how we relate and what transitioning to natural hair teaches us. It’s a special thing that is going on and it needs to be documented.

Connected by our Follicles

Don’t forget that we still are the only people on planet earth who don’t have the fundamental right to wear our God-given tresses natural. All hairstyles normal for African strands, from cornrows to dreadlocks, are stereotyped.

This creates a strong connection no matter our origin, where we are or where we go. We can literally always relate because of our roots.

The strong reactions we have seen on Beyonce’s daughter’s hair as well as on Olympic Gold Medal winner Gabriel’s do, are because of this connection.

This might be a less positive side of that connection but there is an incredible positive side that is unexplored. My hope is to bring that special connection to life. It’s a strong positive connection than binds us at our core and that is what I strive to picture, ends the Director.

The Going Natural Video Diaries

What makes the Going Natural Video diaries unique is not just the concept but also the people it features. It’s the only documentary that asks dreadlocks wearing New York council members Robert E. Cornegy and Jumanee Williams about their hairstyle choice and if they would support legislation to allow natural hairstyles in the corporate world. Of course you have to go to the event if you want to know the answer.

The Women of Color Conference is on December 9th at Brooklyn College. Click for the address and to RSVP for the Screening.

 

Going Natural Hair Care for Black Women, African American Men and Children