Students learn natural hair care tips during protect your crown event

Nataijah White
Staff Writer 

The Student Government Association conducted a week-long series of informational and incentive events for students from Feb. 5-9. These events stressed the importance of connecting with different parts of African-American culture. 

“Protect Your Crown” was one of the many events hosted by SGA, taking place on Feb. 8 in the Student Center Ballrooms. 

The event aimed to inform students about natural hair, specifically on new ways to maintain and style it to promote hair growth and retention. 

Hosted by Mister JSU Austin Rolfe and Miss Jackson State Lauren Temple, the two shared their natural hair journey, along with ways they plan to promote natural hair awareness around campus. 

Temple, a biology/pre-med major from Shreveport, La., has the personal goal to inspire current students to embrace their natural hair while in college, to become prepared for life after college. Specifically in the professional workspaces that aren’t typically as accepting of black students’ hair types as our college campus has been.

Temple shared her experiences with natural hair in professional settings and the differences she saw from wearing her natural hair as opposed to weave or hair extensions. 

“It is a little hard for me, just being honest, because even other black women don’t feel comfortable wearing their natural hair. I try to push myself to be the difference because there’s going to be somebody who you can mentor and guide that might want to do the same thing,” Temple said.

Temple hopes to set an example and encourage other black women to wear their natural hair and be confident no matter the place. 

Apollo Criglar, a sophomore journalism and media studies major from Kansas City, Mo., spoke about how Rolfes’s testament about men’s pride in their natural hair inspired him as he continues his natural hair journey. 

“A big part of why I came to this event was because as a man, I have to do extra things to take care of my locs and I wanted to get a better concept of how to take care of my locs on my own,” Criglar explained.

The event also featured special guest Zakiya Summers of the 68th district, a professional hairstylist and makeup artist that specializes in hair growth.  

Summers, a Jackson, Miss. native, has an extensive background in hair maintenance for African-American hair textures, wanted to come to Jackson State to give students knowledge about different hair care methods and products that can be used to promote hair growth. 

Summers also covered different protective styles that can be worn with natural hair to withstand strands from damage and breakage. 

“Jackson State is such a profound HBCU,” Summers stated. “As a black woman I thought it would be such an honor to speak with other black women about embracing their natural state.” 

She also offered gift cards to participants along with her business cards for students.