On a hot and humid Saturday in New York, attendees did their best to stay cool for Curlfest, an outdoor event on Randall’s Island celebrating black hair. Local vendors in a lawn awaited a sea of festival-goers showing off their most elaborate and personal box braids, cornrows, afros and twists. From his onstage station, a DJ played Jill Scott’s 2004 song “Golden.”
After a three-year hiatus, Curlfest was back, with dozens of black-owned small businesses, as well as artists and guest speakers championing the beauty of natural hair.
“We wanted to come back with the same strength, if not more, than we had in the past,” says Melody Henderson, the event’s creative director, adding, “’Bounce Back’ is the theme because it really speaks to the resilience of us as a nation.”
Mrs Henderson founded Curlfest with Gia Lowe, Simone Mair, Tracey Coleman and Charisse Higgins. Together, the five women form Curly Girl Collective, a group of friends that began as an email thread in 2010, with conversations offering guidance and support on how to care for naturally black hair. The group’s first festival took place in 2014, in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. The event has grown over the years, including a trip to Atlanta in 2019.
Curls and braids were adorned with accessories – clips, gold threads, rings and beads – all with a variety of looks ready to serve on a hot summer day. But vanity aside, the many styles meant a common space where everyone could see and be seen. At Curlfest all hair is welcome.