HIGH-STYLING EDUCATION
Black hair workshop at Walkerville
A student gathering to celebrate Black History Month at Walkerville Collegiate Institute turned into quite a hair-raising event Wednesday.
Counsellor Natalie Browning-morgan and some of her students in the change your future program held a workshop on black hair and what it means to be black at Walkerville.
New to the school this past fall, Browning-morgan noticed an instant connection with some students because of her own naturally curly hairstyle.
“It was one of the first things I bonded with the kids over,” said Browning-morgan who rocked some sweeping long braids for Wednesday’s event. “We’d start talking about hair and some of them were dealing with issues with their hair and we’d have these courageous conversations about hair and identity.”
So the Hairstory Project was hatched and held inside the school library with great success. Students with all manner of hair and heritage turned out to talk about conditioners, oils and styling tips.
Barber Mardin Lopez, whom Browning-morgan described as a local pioneer for his work with African-canadian hair, and stylist Salem Berhane were on hand to offer expert advice.
Zariah Meggo, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student, wore her hair up Wednesday but she was open to considering different styles. Meggo said there was a time in her life when she was insecure about her head full of kinky curls.
“Not a lot of people have short hair like this, so I usually braided it,” Meggo said. “Then I realized my natural hair embraces who I am and you can’t change who I am.”
Meggo said the teachers at Walkerville gave her the confidence to be herself. “They talk to me about ways to do my hair, about products and stuff,” she said. “They’ve helped me make connections with friends. I feel better now in my own skin and in this community. I can be me and wear my hair any way I want.”
Quinten Hurst sported a neat cut that was close cropped around the ears and longer on top. “I always keep the sides short,” the 17-yearold Grade 12 student said. “It looks better. Sometimes I’ll make it curlier or do little dreads.”
Hurst never really had insecurities about his black hair once he got past the “bowl cuts” his mother gave him as a young child.
The change your future program helps minority students get past any challenges they face in the education system. The CYF program is new to Walkerville this year but the Greater Essex County District School Board has offered it at Herman, Westview and Kennedy in the past.
I feel better now in my own skin and in this community. I can be me and wear my hair any way I want.