During the 2011 Connecting Women of Color Conference, I was honored to be a part of a panel for the combined session - Politics of Hair, Body and Skin Color. Due to the positive responses from this session alone, the planning committee for the annual conference decided to maintain this theme for the 2012 event.
Yours truly was contacted and asked to facilitate the Politics of Hair session! Humbled, honored and amazed by this request, I began preparing for the conference.
Some time later, I was introduced to the idea of a co-facilitator. When the name Judy Mejia was dropped, I immediately said, 'Yes'! You see, Judy and I grew up in the same neighborhood as children, years later reunited as co-workers and now again as co-leaders of this session - The Politics of Hair. I love how The Creator works! I knew that Judy would have a perspective that I knew nothing about and could definitely add value and depth to the conversation. And that she did!
As a woman of mixed (cultural and racial) heritage, her story and experiences added a wonderful perspective to the conversation. Issues of hair are most definitely not restricted to the African-American woman.
Judy and I began corresponding back and forth to plan an interactive session for the Politics of Hair. On February 10, 2012 the fourth annual Connecting Women of Color Conference was held!
The event began with an inspiring and information keynote presentation by Dr. Camille T. Hammond who shared her story and experiences as it relates to infertility and the blessing of her own post-menopausal mother volunteering to become the gestational surrogate for her triplets. Her story was beautifully inspiring and a reminder that both persistence and faith are key ingredients to living a fulfilling life.
Following the inspiring keynote message, attendees were directed to their selected sessions.
Politics of Hair
After our introductions, we showed two videos that we felt would trigger emotions and cause our attendees to reflect. Judy created and shared her very own hair narrative and I shared the Richelle Ritchie story. The conversation began!
Here are a few of the common themes that surfaced:
- Is natural hair creating yet another division between black women?
- Is wearing chemically treated hair an act of conformity?
- Mothers (and mothering) play a huge role in the decision to wear one's hair in its natural state.
- What is the definition of natural hair?
- Fear of the unknown
- 'A relaxer is all that I know.'
Soon thereafter, we asked each participant to create their very own hair narrative, which would be posted to our blog - Politics of Hair. If you are interested in sharing your story, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ! Together, Judy and I hope to maintain this blog in hopes of allowing women's voices to be heard as it relates to the politics of hair. We were even approached to take this 'show on the road'!
The final activity we asked of our participants was to use a colored index card on which to write one word that they feel when thnking of their hair or a word that they have heard to describe their hair. These colored index cards were posted on the wall surrounding a face. The cards were in fact the hair for the face! Some of the words provided were:
- Anxiety
- Choice
- My Crowning Glory
- Love
- Strength
Together, we created a masterpiece inspired by the thoughts, minds and perceptions of these beautiful women!
Thank you Judy for your hard work and new-found inspiration surrounding hair. I absolutely loved your story and energy! It was a pleasure working with you and I'm looking forward to what the future holds. Thanks to each participant who registered for our session. We certainly hope that you took away at least one thing from that experience.
Lastly, thanks to the Charm Bullard, the planning committee and the University of Richmond for allowing us to be a part of this wonderful event!
More on the Connecting Women of Color Conference
Self-love taught at the fourth Women of Color Conference
Now, this was a pleasant treat. When I can't make it to Trader Joe's for my 
According to 
