Hi! My name is Yahdayah Tolbert, and my story begins with my mother styling my natural hair growing up. My favorite styles as a child were my Afro, two strand twists, braids with beads, and the plaits with the colorful “bow knockers.” My natural hair is beautiful, it helps me to embrace my blackness, and it makes me feel confident. I felt so much joy because of my natural hair. I especially loved when my Mom would take me to the hair store to buy more hair accessories. 

A moment that shaped my natural hair journey was when my male classmate laughed at my hair in elementary school. This made me feel humiliated, embarrassed, and insecure. It changed the way I viewed my hair, and it ultimately made me not want to wear my hair in certain styles anymore. This was so significant to me because I have always loved my natural hair but I began to be more self conscious when I was in public.

 I want people to know that no matter the judgement, opinions, or criticism… your Crown is absolutely gorgeous, so embrace it! Our hair is a part of our identity, and we should not feel obligated to change it nor wear it a certain way just to fit in with societal expectations.

 I want change through supporting the CROWN Act being passed in Florida because it protects Black people from hair discrimination. We deserve to embrace our hair freely, and not have to alter it based on bias or racism. If you want to share your story, please submit it at blackgirlsgovern.org.