Down to the Roots is an ongoing series that explores the deep connection between Black hair and ancestry. Through sculptural and wearable works, I reimagine Black hair as more than style—it’s a symbol of identity, history, and resilience.
Before slavery, Black hair signified tribe, age, status, spirituality, and more. Today, it still carries meaning and power, despite being politicized and policed. This series invites viewers to reflect on those legacies.
Inspired by traditional African masks—especially from regions linked to my ancestry like Mali and the Ivory Coast—these pieces blend cultural history with personal narrative. Some are meant for the wall, others are wearable, reflecting the living, breathing nature of Black hair.
Down to the Roots is a call to remember, to resist, and to celebrate.
Have you signed the Crown Act ?
The purpose of the CROWN Act is to protect people of Black or African descent from routine—though often covert—barriers to employment opportunities14 based on “longstanding racial and national origin biases and stereotypes associated with hair texture and style.”
