Natural Hair, Empowerment & Awareness

On March 2nd the exhibition BAD Hair Uprooted especially opened to launch UMA!, an International Women's Network for empowerment and awareness in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The one of a kind natural hairstyles represented the Network's theme "Identity and Personal Development": who are you, why do you do what you do, what drives you and how important is your cultural identity in your career?

BAD Hair Uprooted and UMA! 
Approached by former banker Jennifer Baarn to join forces to give back to our community as Surinamese women with an international career, I happily said yes to start UMA! an International Women's Network for empowerment and awareness.

I was elated to share my story supported by the colorful hairstyles of BAD Hair Uprooted.

Thanks to Mac Intosch Media 
It took a lot of work going through endless hairstyles and with the help of Mac Intosch Media who sponsored 50 full color banner prints we managed to put up an extended exhibition of BAD Hair Uprooted. 

Going Natural Hair Care ready

With the help of local enthusiastic Natural Hair groups interested in hairstyles and products, we got the Going Natural Hair Care table ready

Just before opening

Finally everything is set. After one last look the exhibition is ready to be opened.

BAD Hair Uprooted is featured.  The prints of Mac Intosch Media look really good!

Familiar faces and Notables
Besides friends and family there were also a few notables. 

I remember Gail from back when I lived in Suriname and besides her is the Director of Culture Stanley Sidoel who accepted the invitation to open the exhibition.

Stanley Sidoel Director of Culture in Suriname
Director of Culture Stanley Sidoel officially opened the exhibition BAD Hair Uprooted with an amazing speech. 

In his speech Mr. Sidoel mentioned that African Hair is special, that the negative stereotypical ideas stem from our slave roots, that African hairstyles are endlessly fascinating and that Black women don't need to weave or straighten their hair if they don't want to.

Notables of Suriname
Former President Venetiaan and his wife Liesbeth Venetiaan.

The former First Lady of the Republic Suriname Liesbeth Venetiaan-Vanenburg wrote the foreword of my first book and allowed me to share her hair story. 

Mac Intosch Media sponsored all prints.

Zulile Blinker
Spoken word Artist Zulile Blinker recited "Wan Bon" a poem from Dubru, Suriname's most famous poet then also performed "Mother" one of her own.

An amazing performance that set the stage. 

Mireille Liong, Mevrouw Kroeshaar (Miss Natural Hair)
Ever since I organized the first ever natural hair show in 2003 they nicknamed me Miss Kroeshaar: Miss Natural Hair. It was great to be back reminiscing and sharing natural hairstyles of New york.

Besides thanking the sponsor Mac Intosch Media for the wonderful prints I also shared the story behind Bad Hair Uprooted, the untold History of Black Follicles

Stanley Sidoel Director of Culture in Suriname

Director of Culture Stanley Sidoel with ceremony master

My Dad 

Kortencia, an old family friend with my dad; my biggest supporter, the best father on the planet. 

I am thankful to him and my mom who passed away in 2005, for giving us their best

With Mr. Sidoel Director of Culture

Even though you expect a Director of Culture to know his stuff, I was impressed by his knowledge and speech.

The least I could do was thanking him for opening the exhibition and for his wonderful speech. 

Happy People

Erna Aviankoi in the middle is the UMA! member who got most of the ground work done locally. Joined by friends Obed Kanape and Zulile Blinker

Jennifer Baarn

Fellow UMA! member representing

The talented Obed Kanape Obi

Obed Kanape Obi is one of Suriname's best upcoming Spoken Word Artist, performing in three languages. 

BAD Hair Uprooted

BAD Hair Uprooted Exhibition at the Cultural Centre Suriname in Paramaribo, Suriname featuring Natural Hairstyles of New York

BAD Hair Uprooted

BAD Hair Uprooted Exhibition at the Cultural Centre Suriname in Paramaribo, Suriname featuring Natural Hairstyles of New York

BAD Hair Uprooted

BAD Hair Uprooted Exhibition at the Cultural Centre Suriname in Paramaribo, Suriname featuring Natural Hairstyles of New York