Are You Your Hair?

The 2012 London Summer Olympics golden girl Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Douglas made us all proud. Douglas is the first African-American gymnast and the first woman of color in Olympic history to become the individual all-around champion.

But instead of giving her due applause many asked: What’s up with her hair? It was clear; the debate over black hair reached its pinnacle…unfortunately! Kinky-haired women are criticizing those who don't embrace their natural texture. While women with relaxed hair are firing back to desperately defend their straightened locks. Even talk maven extraordinaire Oprah Winfrey chimed in during the mane crossfire.

"Going natural" is the term used by many African-American women who decide to stop chemically processing or relaxing, their hair. It’s a decision fraught with confusion, challenges and sometimes pain, as the 2009 Chris Rock documentary “Good Hair” attested.

Join McMillan Empowerment Enterprise and the Burchfield Penney for this hair-raising discussion moderated by WGRZ-TV’s Claudine Ewing on ways to love black hair naturally. Licensed cosmetologist Kenchata Carter of Sugar Scrub will be on-hand to provide suggestions on caring for permed or natural styles.

Special guest Jacqueline Tarry of the McCallum Tarry: Intersections exhibition will also participate and lead the group on a guided gallery tour of their works beginning at 6pm.