Inaugural World Afro Day endorsed by United Nations
World Afro Day (WAD) is now endorsed by the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This follows increasing international support from academics, the London Mayor’s office, natural hair influencers, Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber and celebrity hair stylists Felicia Leatherwood and Charlotte Mensah. World Afro Day has an affinity with the UN’s International Decade for People of African Descent programme, which works towards tackling the challenges of over 200 million people globally, who identify themselves as of African descent.
This group often suffers discrimination based on their heritage and World Afro Day aims to tackle the issue of bias against afro hair which has been previously overlooked. The inaugural World Afro Day, which takes place on Friday 15 September 2017, aims to celebrate the value and beauty of natural hair. This is an opportunity to change the often-negative perceptions that exist around afro hair with an event that people of all backgrounds and hair types can enjoy.
The WAD team will be attempting a RecordSetter World Record for the ‘Largest Hair Education Lesson’ at the event in London, England. Five hundred children of all backgrounds will take part in the world record, which will also be live streamed across the world via social media.
WAD Founder, Michelle De Leon, believes education is key to changing the way people view afro hair and this starts with young people. “Their mental well-being and self-esteem are a top priority,” says Michelle “It's in all our interests to promote self-love and make young people, no matter what their hair type: curly, straight, wavy or coily, feel great about themselves.”
“We want everyone to be free to wear their natural hair and for society to treat it equally." continues Michelle. “No limitations should be placed on a person of African descent because of their original hair type; whether they choose to be a ballerina, sit on the board or run for Prime Minister.”
Alongside their world record attempt, the World Afro Day team will be hosting a public debate to discuss how various industries can support the inclusion and appreciation of afro hair in the workplace. The esteemed panel includes model and mumpreneur, Keisha Omilana, Berkley Professor and Campaigner, Angela Onwuachi-Willig, and internationally acclaimed hair stylist, Vernon Francois.
Tickets for this event can be purchased on the official World Afro Day website, www.worldafroday.com
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Notes to Editor
- World Afro Hair Day takes place on Friday 15 September 2017 from 10:00 to 13:00 (Kids/ youth) and 17:00 to 20:30 (adults) at the Church House, Westminster in London.
- Image of WAD founder, Michelle De Leon, and her daughter.
- You can find out more about the International Decade for People of African Descent at http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/index.shtml
- Tickets for the “Careers & Curls” panel, can be purchased via the World Afro Day website, worldafroday.com
- World Afro day is being supported by Natural Hair Weekly, The University of Bradford, the Institute of Trichologists, Twinkl Educational Publishing and the Mayor’s Thrive LDN.
- You can visit the official World Afro Day website at www.worldafroday.com
- Michelle De Leon, Professor Angela Onwuachi-Willig and Deshauna Barber are available for interview
- RecordSetter's CEO and Co-Founder Corey Henderson will be present to adjudicate World Afro Day's attempt at the RecordSetter World Record "Largest Hair Education Lesson" Find out more (or set your own world record) at RecordSetter.com.
Please email press enquiries to Juanita Rosenior at TGRG Marketing and Communication on juanita@tgrg.co.uk or call 0203 375 6024