Founding the Multicultural Hair, Art, and Empowerment Club
Photo Credit: Dan Holmes
February 16, 2024
Jolecia Saunderson ’24, a triple major in African and African American Studies, Politics, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, decided to create the Multicultural Hair, Art, and Empowerment Club, a space to empower students to become socially, politically, and culturally educated and active about hair. Through bonding events, education-based discussions, and art, the group celebrates different hairstyles.
“I went to high school in a primarily diverse community. Despite this, students still had to advocate for the right to wear head wraps," said Saunderson. “It made me realize the need for a space to have these conversations about hair and how it impacts identity.”
Saunderson spoke with Brandeis Stories about her steps to creating a campus club and why she values her found community.
Why is the Multicultural Hair, Art, and Empowerment Club special to you?
It is important for different Black hairstyles to be celebrated and for people to embrace diversity and show up as their true selves.
It’s also a space for those to learn something new. We’re creating a place with a level of respect and kindness while empowering individuals to celebrate diversity and differences that exist.
What were the steps you took to create the Multicultural Hair, Art, and Empowerment Club?
My first step was brainstorming, researching, and connecting with others. I spent my time brainstorming ideas, creating vision boards, and connecting with other college campuses, professors, and students who were also passionate about hair. After creating a logo, our mission, and a petition to establish the club, I was asked to present to the Student Union. After sharing my presentation with their senate, our club was approved in the Fall of 2022.
It’s been a lot of advocacy and putting myself out there. I’ve met so many people and really created a community through this group. If you have a vision for a club or another initiative, on campus go for it. It is through trusting these visions that we create new possibilities and are able to meet amazing people along the way.
What has been your most memorable experience from this club?
In the Spring of 2023 , E-Board members Mina Rowland ’25, Mirabell Rowland ’25, Jahnaya Kilgore ’24, and I hosted an event to honor the C.R.O.W.N Act which is a law that ensures protection against discrimination towards race based hairstyles by extending legal protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, and twists in schools, the workplace, and everyday spaces.
The first part of the event consisted of a treasure hunt and painting small canvases that uplifted diverse hairstyles with students on campus and with Africano Waltham. The second part allowed us to hear words of wisdom and share space with Wendy Greene, the legal architect of the C.R.O.W.N Act, and to sign a collective canvas that is placed in the Intercultural Center (ICC).
This experience was memorable because of the knowledge, creativity, and community that was embraced and formulated. It inspired me to continue to follow my dreams, ignite my passions, and continue to share the gifts that I have with those around me.
