TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– An annual event returned on Indiana State’s campus on Wednesday.
“NaturalCon” began in 2017 to promote healthy haircare for people around the community. Freshman Janiyah Jones, who helped organize the event, said she wants people with all different kinds of hairstyles and textures to take away something from the Wednesday’s discussion.
“It’s important for students here at ISU because a lot of students don’t know how to treat their natural hair,” she said. “I feel like it’s important to talk about it to let people know it’s okay to wear your hair.”
There were a number of different stylists and hairdressers on hand– an aspect sophomore Jovarra Baymon believes could help educate those in the community on the topic.
“I know it’s not often people know how to do their own hair, so having people come that are professional in doing hair to show you how to do your hair and how to do it the right way, it’s pretty good for that,” Baymon said.
Students also discussed discrimination they have seen, particularly in professional or social environments, due to their hair. The CROWN Act, a piece of legislation aimed at decreasing discriminatory practices, has been introduced at the federal level, but hasn’t been signed into law as of 2024.
Senior Amari Harris hopes that changes– but believes events like this are still crucial to raise awareness among younger people.
“It’s still an issue we have today, I know that we’re moving forward as far as the CROWN Act being in all states, but I think it’s important that people know this is a thing,” she said. “You should be able to express yourself through your hair, that’s important to us, and it should be allowed. I don’t even think that should be a conversation, and the fact that it is, it’s crazy.”
This forum was put on by the NAACP Chapter at ISU, the Brotherhood of Successful Scholars and the Students African American Sisterhood.
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