In 2008, I launched America's Next Natural Model, an online pegeant dedicated to promoting Black models with natural hair. The inspiration came after watching an interview where top model Tyra Banks stated that Black models were being excluded from the runways—they simply weren’t being hired.
Determined to challenge this reality, I created a space where ten models would compete for the title of America’s Next Natural Model by taking stunning photos and sharing their stories through weekly challenges.
One of the most powerful and memorable photo shoots for Black History Month, across all five seasons, was this one by Suzu. Her photos were out of the ordinary and are still iconic.
Here’s Suzu’s story in her own words:
African Queen: With a West African father and American mother, I am very much connected with my African roots. I wanted to reflect the strength, beauty, and pride of the African people in this image at a time when most people falsely equate all of Africa with poverty, suffering, and war.
African Queen
Slavery: My second photo shoot was inspired by the famous 1860s photograph of the scourged back of a runaway slave taken by William D. McPherson. I was fortunate to collaborate with the L.A.-based photographer, Allan Barnes, who uses the same wet plate technology that McPherson would have used to develop his haunting image.
Slavery
It was images like these that touched the public’s heart and helped advance the abolitionist movement. Frank H. Goodyear, III, assistant curator of photographs at the National Portrait Gallery asserts that “Photography changes the way we record and respond to social issues.” A current social issue in the African American community is our struggle to challenge Western standards of beauty.
I hope that the images generated in this competition will shed light in a similar way on our fight for self-love and acceptance.
Emancipation and Segregation
Emancipation and Segregation: One of the women I most admire in black history is the Rosa Parks. She was a natural beauty – inside and out – and demonstrated that you don’t have to be a superhero to be an inspiration and force of change to the world. Her action (or inaction) was small, but it was potent.
Wanting to emulate Ms. Parks and honor her memory, my third shoot took place on a city bus and featured a natural updo similar to the one she sported. The natural hair movement shares a common root with Ms. Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on the bus in 1955…a small decision that shows respect and love yourself regardless of whether the culture climate you live in affirms your innate beauty.
Black is Beautiful and the Civil Rights Movement
Black is Beautiful and the Civil Rights Movement: My fourth shoots black and white scheme was inspired by the Black Panthers Party for Self-Defense. How better to represent a time of rejection of notions of assimilation and integration in black history than with the powerful political symbol of black pride, the afro?
Present Day: This photo represents an open future. The African American people have many victories to celebrate and many battles still to be won.
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