The 4th annual Twin Cities Natural Hair and Beauty Expo welcomed dozens of vendors to the cities to embrace natural hair and shine a light on hair discrimination on Sunday.
The exposition returned to Minneapolis for the first time in two years, highlighting the beauty of natural hair and raising awareness of health, wellness and black economic growth.
“Black hair is thick, brave, loud, up and down,” says Afrika Brown, owner and hairstylist of Brown Beauty. “That’s what you want.”
Black hair comes in many shapes, styles, and sizes.
Brown is one of nearly 60 vendors at the Twin Cities Natural Hair and Beauty Expo.
One of the exposition’s missions is to empower men and women of color to wear and embrace their natural hair.
Brown explained that not all spaces welcome natural hair, making it difficult to navigate.
“As a teacher and entrepreneur, when I work with students, I feel like I have to straighten my hair because it looks like my fellow teachers,” she says. Brown said.
A recent Dove study found that 1 in 2 black children experience hair discrimination as early as age 5, and the effects last a lifetime.
Organizers are using the Natural Hair and Beauty Expo to shine a light on hair discrimination and in an effort to promote acceptance of natural hair in Minnesota.
“Having a big natural style is considered unprofessional,” says Minneapolis hairstylist Brianna Kress. experienced first-hand the stress of
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Cress is on the Expo production team.
The CROWN Act has been a big focus this year. CROWN means “creating a respectful and open world for natural hair”. The bill would make it illegal to discriminate based on hair texture or style in the workplace or at school.
Rep. Lena Moran attended the event and briefed attendees on the country’s initiative.
In Minnesota, the House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act in February of this year, but the Senate did not vote.
“You literally have to change your entire appearance to get a job,” said Yvonne Amartifio, an expo vendor.
Amarteifio said he feels compelled to conform while working in the corporate sector.
“I want to be able to be myself all the time. But to get out there and make a living. This is what I have to do,” she said.
She said everyone deserves to feel good in their skin and hair, so the CROWN Act can change that.
“It’s all about dark hair. It’s empowering. It’s strong. It’s versatile. That’s what it’s all about,” said Amateifio.
The CROWN Act is currently enacted in 12 states and several major cities.
At the federal level, it passed the US House of Representatives in March, but has not been voted on by the Senate. President Joe Biden said he would sign the law if it got to his desk.
