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Curly Girl Collective’s CURLFEST: Celebrating Black Beauty, Culture, and Community

CURLFEST champions natural hair, authentic self-expression, and Black female empowerment through vibrant festivals and community-building initiatives.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

CURLFEST champions natural hair, authentic self-expression, and Black female empowerment through vibrant festivals and community-building initiatives.

CURLFEST: A Celebration of Black Beauty, Culture, and Community

In the heart of Brooklyn, a vibrant movement was born—CURLFEST, a festival that has grown into an unrivaled celebration of textured hair, Black beauty, and self-love. The Curly Girl Collective (CGC) dreamed up this space not only to showcase natural hair but also to empower women of color, foster authentic community connections, and pave the way for Black-owned beauty brands. Their vision has blossomed into one of the most transformative gatherings in the beauty world, enriching Black culture with every event.

Roots: How Curly Girl Collective Began

About a decade ago, before “natural hair” went mainstream, five visionary women—Gia Lowe, Charisse Higgins, Melody Henderson, Tracey Coleman, and Simone Mair—banded together in an online chat group for naturalistas. Their weekly conversations soon revealed an overwhelming desire for genuine connection, beyond virtual exchanges. Recognizing the profound need for sisterhood and a safe space to discuss textured hair, they organized their first in-person experience, Collective Expressions, in 2011 at an art gallery in Chelsea. There, women swapped hair products, witnessed live art, and cheered as stylists performed transformational ‘big chop’ haircuts.

Objective: Create an inclusive, non-judgmental community where Black women can express, celebrate, and embrace their authentic selves.
First experiences: Gallery events, product swaps, live beauty demonstrations, and celebratory gatherings fueled by a spirit of camaraderie.

The Birth and Growth of CURLFEST

The infectious energy of those early meetups set the stage for CURLFEST. Debuting in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, in 2014, the event attracted around 1,000 attendees—each proudly wearing their natural hair, exuding self-assurance, and forming instant bonds with like-minded individuals.

CURLFEST’s core mission: Uplift women of color, showcase the beauty of natural hair, and dispel mainstream beauty myths.
Atmosphere: A colorful, joyful environment where music, art, culture, and Afrocentric style intersect in celebration of Black beauty.
Community impact: The event quickly became a safe and inspiring haven, opening doors for meaningful dialogue and empowering Black women to embrace their identities.

Signature Experiences at CURLFEST

Product Swaps: Attendees exchange natural hair products, fueling collective discovery and education about new haircare routines.
Big Chop Celebrations: Public haircuts marking milestones for women transitioning to their natural texture, encouraging courage and solidarity.
Live Art and Performance: Local artists produce on-the-spot masterpieces inspired by natural textures and Black womanhood.
Panel Discussions: Beauty professionals and thought leaders discuss the politics of Black hair and the importance of representation.

Partnering with Black-Owned Brands: Growing Together

From its earliest days, CURLFEST offered a vital stage for emerging Black-owned brands in the beauty industry. As a newly influential platform, CGC has formed pivotal partnerships, propelling these homegrown companies to national stardom.

Eden BodyWorks: A pioneering, Black woman-founded brand that gained exposure at the very first CURLFEST and now enjoys widespread acclaim.
Curls: Initially just breaking into the market, Curls now occupies major retail shelves, thanks in part to their presence at CURLFEST.
The Lip Bar: Founder Melissa Butler’s journey from event table to national distribution illustrates how CURLFEST can be a springboard for budding entrepreneurs.
Other Sponsors: Major players like Creme of Nature, Cantu, Dove, and Target have also joined, cementing CURLFEST’s influence within and beyond the beauty industry.

Making Space for Innovation

Curlfest’s collaborative structure gives brands authentic access to their core audience.
Attendees often discover new beauty regimens, products, and businesses in an empowering setting.
The event’s focus on Black founders directly challenges historical barriers to entry in the market.

Cultural Expansion: From Brooklyn to Atlanta and Beyond

Spurred by overwhelming demand, CGC asked their community where the next chapter should unfold. Atlanta, the South’s epicenter of Black culture, topped the list. The result: nearly 10,000 attendees at CURLFEST Atlanta, highlighting the movement’s explosive growth. CGC also introduced Roller Set, a 90s-inspired skating party, as a playful tribute to iconic Black hair rituals and a celebration of intergenerational beauty traditions.

Growth Milestones:
- Expansion to Atlanta broadened CURLFEST’s reach nationally.
- 2019 marked a watershed, with major sponsors, TV coverage (BET), and multiple events in one weekend.
- The movement now attracts global attendees, actively changing the narrative around Afrocentric beauty at scale.

Roller Set: Fusing Nostalgia With Modern Style

A joyful blend of music, skating, and 90s-inspired fashion.
Extra space for creativity and celebration of distinct Black hair aesthetics (like roller sets and doobies).
Fresh opportunities for community, dancing, collaboration, and joy.

Pivoting During the Pandemic: The Virtual CURLFEST Beauty Summit

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a global reevaluation of in-person gatherings. CURLFEST demonstrated adaptability by launching a virtual CURLFEST Beauty Summit, partnering with leading beauty brands and leveraging their deep online roots to keep the spirit of connection alive. CGC’s digital-first origins made the transition seamless, and the summit dove into the nuanced intersections of beauty, identity, and community.

Features of the Virtual Summit:
- Interactive online panels and masterclasses with experts.
- Collaborations with iconic brands such as Carol’s Daughter, Dove, and major media partners.
- Safe and accessible format, continuing the tradition of learning, sharing, and uplifting Black beauty.
Reception: CGC’s community adapted enthusiastically, reaffirming the power and reach of CURLFEST’s digital presence.
New models for community engagement emerged, making the summit accessible regardless of geography.

CURLFEST’s Impact on Beauty, Representation, and Identity

CURLFEST is more than a festival—it’s a vital affirmation that Black beauty matters. The event provides a visual and emotional counterpoint to mainstream standards, centering textured hair and melanin-rich skin as sources of pride, artistry, and innovation. The festival’s resonance reaches far beyond product showcases: it’s a site for activism, cultural education, and intergenerational healing.

Changing Beauty Narratives: CURLFEST has normalized the visibility of natural hair and diverse styles in beauty media, advertising, and pop culture.
Empowering Black Women: By offering a judgment-free space, CURLFEST encourages women to define and celebrate their own standards of beauty.
Supporting Entrepreneurs: The event’s commitment to championing Black-owned businesses directly dismantles systemic barriers and reshapes economic opportunity in the beauty industry.
Intergenerational Influence: Mothers, daughters, and families attend together, passing down traditions and embracing their collective heritage.

Visual Splendor: Style, Fashion, and Curls in Every Hue

CURLFEST’s allure extends to its joyous, parade-like atmosphere—the ultimate runway for fashion and hair innovation. Attendees arrive in radiant hues, vibrant headwraps, bold accessories, and gravity-defying curls or braids, proudly redefining beauty standards with every look.

Street Style: Attendees and influencers often showcase bespoke, expressive outfits paired with creative hair choices, turning the grounds into a festival of color and imagination.
Family Friendly: The welcoming energy of CURLFEST ensures that children can experience self-love and pride in their hair from an early age, with activities and hairstyles tailored for all ages.
Intersection of Art, Fashion, and Self-Expression: From crochet locs to rainbow curls, each look tells a personal story and contributes to a kaleidoscope of Black femininity.

Amplifying Social Mission and Community Work

CGC’s work extends far beyond the festival grounds. Their mission—to affirm Black women and amplify their voices—is deeply rooted in social activism, education, and philanthropy. The collective supports initiatives that promote health, education, and entrepreneurship within communities of color.

Education: Workshops and panels demystify haircare, empower self-advocacy, and build intergenerational knowledge.
Advocacy: CURLFEST provides a highly visible platform to address discrimination, rewrite harmful beauty norms, and push for inclusion in all aspects of society.
Collaboration: Engaging with local artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations strengthens the movement’s cultural foundation and social impact.

Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of CURLFEST

With a commemorative book, CURLFEST, 5 Years in Brooklyn, set to launch, the Curly Girl Collective is poised for new chapters. From digital events to expanding festival locales, the collective continues to innovate, paving the way for greater visibility, economic empowerment, and cultural renaissance in the beauty space.

Future Plans: New locations, deeper partnerships, and continued virtual and in-person experiences.
Book Release: Celebrates CURLFEST’s milestone impact and preserves its stories for future generations.
Ongoing Mission: Advocate for inclusive beauty, uplift Black-owned brands, and inspire millions to love their authentic selves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What exactly is CURLFEST?

A: CURLFEST is a large-scale festival, created by the Curly Girl Collective, that celebrates Black beauty and natural hair, while building an inclusive, empowering space for women of color to connect, learn, and thrive.

Q: Who can attend CURLFEST?

A: While the event centers the experiences of Black women, CURLFEST is open to all who support the celebration of natural hair, Black culture, and authentic beauty. Families and allies are welcome.

Q: What happens at CURLFEST?

A: Attendees enjoy product swaps, live hair demonstrations, interactive panels, art installations, music, dance, and a marketplace filled with Black-owned beauty and fashion brands. It’s a day of education, celebration, and self-expression.

Q: How did CURLFEST adapt during the pandemic?

A: CURLFEST successfully transitioned to a virtual Beauty Summit, providing digital workshops, masterclasses, and interactive discussions, making the movement more accessible than ever before.

Q: Why is CURLFEST important?

A: CURLFEST is an empowering space that affirms Black beauty, supports Black entrepreneurship, challenges societal beauty norms, and fosters lifelong community connections.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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