Maya Townsend

AAPISU discusses the significance of hair in Indian culture, showcasing its cultural importance while wearing traditional custom attire. “I think a lot of our culture is related to Asian culture whether it’s Indian or culture. There’s so many Asian cultures that are misrepresented in America just because there isn’t a large enough voice to actually represent them in it,” Alyssa Reddy, second year and vice president of AAPISU said.

Students and spectators were taken back through time last Sunday evening.

SUNaturALLs’ Cultural Hair Show brought students together to celebrate the diversity of hair across the decades, beginning in the 1950s and spanning to our modern day.

The Cultural Hair Show, hosted by SUNaturALLs in collaboration with ASU, BSU, AAPISU, Allure, and WORTH, provided education and information about hair care and cultural hair styles. This event brought together clubs, students and stylists to showcase the diversity of hair within different cultures and eras.

ASU highlighted West and East African hairstyles and used an educational presentation to teach the audience about other regional styles of Africa.

“There was a point in time where I was afraid to wear my hair like this,” fourth-year and president of ASU Sarah Bellon said. “I feel like in all of our hairstyles we’ve all been judged at one point… it’s like a take-back, now we’re showcasing them. It shows change and the beauty of resilience.” 

Bellon viewed this event as a “take-back” from the people who used to make fun of her for wearing her cultural hairstyles.

“Hair is identity. Within each culture there are different hairstyles and it’s a part of who they are,” Bellon said.

AAPISU showcased hairstyles from India and Philippines, along with cultural dress, dance and music.

Shariemel Abellanosa, second-year and secretary of AAPISU, said that their goal was to help people learn more about aspects of Asian cultures.

“There are so many cultures at Stevenson, and not many people know about them,” Abellanosa said. 

Anjola Arowesegbe performed at the Cultural Hair Show, wearing an elaborate updo for the 50s and 60s, and after a dramatic outfit change, walked with the Allure models to represent the 80s. 

Arowesegbe talked about how this event was important to her, as it gave her a boost of confidence in herself.

“When you only see one hair texture represented in society, you think, ‘that’s hair, and if my hair isn’t doing that, I need to bend it so it can,’” Arowesegbe said. “It’s important to start loving your hair as you have your hair… [We’re] promoting being more confident in your own hair and seeing the possibilities of what we can do with it”

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Maya Townsend

The Allure Models strike a final pose, radiating confidence and culture as they close out the show in style.

Alongside the stunning runway and cultural presentations, the evening also included a buffet of soul food, raffle prizes featuring a Red by Kiss hooded dryer and a Carol’s Daughter hair care collection with styling tools, and a vibrant small business marketplace. 

The marketplace featured student-owned beauty and hair care vendors including AugiesOriginals, StyledByDreaa, JoeiStyledThat, LockByDem and more. Stevenson alumna Denia Campbell, owner of DMonet’s Organics Hair Care Co., also participated in the celebration.

“I don’t think anyone else can relate to natural hair and the things we have to deal with. I think that is a key way it connects us,” Campbell said.

The inaugural Cultural Hair Show not only paid tribute to the decades of hairstyle but also uplifted the historical and spiritual significance of natural hair in the Black community and beyond.

“I feel like with hair it brings us back to slavery times,” Morgan Jones, third-year and secretary of SUNaturALLs said. “Realistically, we used to use hair to guide us to different places or I feel like now when we look at hair it’s like a spiritual journey for us but also like ‘okay like this is for us.’ It’s for the culture and for us as human beings.”

Through live showcases, educational discussions and shared experiences, the SUNaturALLs Cultural Hair Show highlighted the unique and universal aspects of natural hair—creating an inclusive space for students to connect, learn, and walk away with a deeper understanding of culture, confidence, and community.