Our Story
Beauty is Me (BiM) aims to encourage Black girls to embrace their natural hair and encourage a positive self-image and Black beauty consciousness. Having a positive racial identity increases self-concept and leads to greater success for Black girls and their families. BiM aims to build a strong cultural identity and self-love in Black girls' lives and empower parents, caregivers, guardians, and other adults to do the same. BiM seeks to revitalize the positive self-image and beauty in the consciousness of Black girls that were entrenched in the historical and cultural identity of Black people.
While hair may play an important role in the lives of people of all races, for people of African descent, this role is amplified due to the unique nature and texture of Black hair.
Through a cultural and gender equity lens, the project will facilitate Black hair and beauty culture sessions with Black women, Black girls, caregivers, and guardians. The sessions will highlight the interconnection that Black females have with their hair and beauty. The space will be filled with positive images and representation that will help to build Black girls’ self‐esteem and to provide the proper education for parents to continue this positive reinforcement at home. The sessions will also provide opportunities for Black women and girls to share stories about their hair journey in a society that has a white standard of beauty. In partnership with Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS), BiM will provide this support to Black girls and young women who receive services, both in care or out of care. Often times children in care are disconnected from their Black families, Black identity, Black heritage, and culture. Professionals supporting these youth and families will also learn skills and tools necessary to reinforce these positive messages and to provide more affirmative, Afro‐centered supports.
In our current time where Blacks and their allies continue to fight against Anti-Black Racism, BiM recognizes the need to build a positive racial identity for our Black girls and Black families. One of the ways to do this is to acknowledge and highlight the reality that Black hair and Black identity are inseparable. The role hair plays in Black women’s self-concept, identity development, and life experience, is valuable in their journey towards self-love.
Our hair is strong.
Our Mission
Beauty is Me (BiM) was established to respond to the Eurocentric concept of beauty that gives credence to those with white skin and straight long hair and its negative impact in the lives of Black girls. BiM seeks to revitalize the positive self-image and beauty in the consciousness of Black girls that once was entrenched in the historical and cultural identity of the Black people. One of the ways BiM seeks to accomplish this is to first acknowledge and highlight the reality that Black hair and Black identity are inseparable. The role hair plays in Black women’s self-concept, identity development, and life experience, is valuable in their journey towards self-love.
In partnership with Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS), BiM will provide training to WECAS staff, Black parents, non-Black parents, and caregivers/guardians of Black children that will increase their knowledge of Black hair and beauty culture and develop a deeper understanding of its historical significance in the lives of Black women and girls. A specific focus will be given to Black girls and youth who receive services from the agency (in or out of care). Special effort and care will be taken to maintain connections for these youth and to nurture a sense of pride in their legacy of Black excellence.
The project will also off-set the cost for Black girls between the ages of 5 years to 18 to get their hair done at Black-owned hair salons in Windsor Essex. The program will promote positive racial identity, enhance positive self-image, and build the confidence of Black women and girls.
Our Vision
To build a strong cultural identity and self-love in the lives of Black girls, and empower parents, caregivers, guardians, and other adults to do the same.