The Unity Center has begun a new series, called “Take Care Series.” The series is focused on providing education, information and empowerment for subjects that are not commonly taught. The focus of this meeting was, ‘hair,’ as well as skin.
“The very first Take Care Series we did was about adulting tasks,” Camauyriia Summers, The Student Manager at the Unity Center, said, “We talked about car maintenance, when to clean your house, what to do weekly, monthly and yearly and routine things to do as an adult.”
The program is used as a resource for students. Their focus is to provide students with opportunities to be equipped for whatever is to come. They also discuss how to manage personal and professional relationships.
This meeting was about cosmetic appearances and how to upkeep them as a black young woman.
“When you look good you feel good,” said Summers.
They provided education such as specific products to use for different things, and teaching students how to do hairstyles, such as twists, braids, and locks. Throughout the meeting, they aimed at disbanding some of the myths the students know about hair and what they have been taught about hair.
This hair event specifically started in February due to Black History Month, as there is a direct correlation. At this event there was a slide show and video presented to showcase the correlation between hair and being black and discrimination throughout history.
“There is a very direct correlation, beauty, black hair, black skin, black history month,” Said Summers, “Our hair is our crown. One of the many things people cannot take away from black people is their crown and the way they express themselves through their fashion, hair, skin, makeup, and nails.”
During this event they talked about the “Crown Act,” as there are still 43 states that have not passed laws to make discriminating against people because of their hair in the workplace illegal.
“There are still things we are fighting for when it comes to specifically black women and specifically black hair,” Continued Summers, “Freedom of expression and speech. This is the correlation between hair, being black and Black History month.”
Summers wanted to share a message to all students, saying, “If you see someone and you like their hair, compliment them, and ask them where they got it done. Talk to people and talk to peers.”
