The African Diaspora Alliance and master loctician Kirigo Kabuga will be hosting a natural hair training and hair conference in Havana, Cuba for the second year in a row. This transnational event uses the politics of black hair to ignite conversations around building anti-racist solidarity throughout the African Diaspora.
HAIR WORKSHOP HOSTS
KIRIGO KABUGA
Kirigo Kabuga is based between Nairobi Kenya and Baltimore, Maryland. Worldwide, she is the 4th Sisterlocks Master Stylist. Despite Cuba's majority black population there is limited access to products and methods to properly take care of black hair. Kabuga will host a workshop catered to the Cuban community covering a variety of topics such as:
African Beauty
Uncovering Myths around African Natural Hair
Understanding Texture
Curly Chemistry + Curl Health and Anatomy
SABRINA DAVIS
Sabrina A Davis is the only Double Master Stylist Award Recipient in Sisterlocks® twenty year history. She is an accomplished and "R"- Certified Sisterlocks Consultant CTA, Lic. Cosmetologist who specializes in Natural Hair Care and Natural Hair Products. Sabrina's work focuses on starting and maintaining traditional Loc's in a clean, healthy, high-end salon located in the prestigious Dr. Philips, central Orlando Florida area just moments away from the world famed attraction Universal Studios!
IS THIS EXPERIENCE FOR ME?
This tour can benefit anyone who is ready to learn the history of African hair, best hair care practices, connect with the Diaspora, and build transnational solidarity through exchanging knowledge and skills. We hope participants will leave with a light heart and the tools to protect their hair and hearts.
WHEN
JANUARY 15-20, 2020
WHERE
HAVANA, CUBA
Cost
$1750 USD
COST INCLUDES: Housing Accommodations (Double Occupancy), Transportation, Healing Workshops, Natural Hair Exchange, Cultural Excursions, Breakfast each day, Welcome Dinner
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 1
Arrive in Havana,Cuba
Check-in to Air B&B
Group Orientation
Walking tour of Old Havana and Central Havana
Welcome Dinner
DAY 2
Afro-Cuban Spirituality Experience with Beyond Roots
This is an opportunity for our participants to engage with the Afro-Cuban community and experience a bit of everyday life in Cuba. On a walking tour you will visit an Abakua Temple, a religious space for the African Efik tradition that has been preserved in Cuba, and have the opportunity to speak with practitioners of Santeria. Participants will experience a private live music and dance presentation of traditional Afro-Cuban drums referred to as “Tambor.”
Day 3
Natural Hair Training
On this day, U.S. hair stylist participants will work side by side with Afro-Cuban hairstylists from Havana. This is a full day training for Cuban stylist to learn the best natural hair techniques and styles for healthy natural hair! Stylists will have a chance to teach the importance of natural hair and work with real models as these techniques are taught. This training is in preparation for the Natural Hair Conference that will take place the following day.
Jazz Event
DAY 4
NATURAL HAIR WORKSHOP AND LECTURE
The Natural Hair Workshop and Lecture is open to the entire community free of charge for all Cuban nationals. During this event, the history and importance of natural hair will be shared. All participants in the natural hair training from the day prior will have an opportunity to briefly present what they learned and demonstrate their hair techniques live during the event. Cuban owned and operated natural hair product companies will have the opportunity to present their products and do a live demonstration using Cuba's natural resources to demonstrate how to make hair care products. Attendees will have an opportunity to engage stylists in questions about hair care and discuss the importance of building transnational solidarity.
Clients are asked to bring donations such as synthetic braiding hair, natural hair products (shampoo, conditioner, gel, etc.), hand held blow dryers, plastic spray bottles, containers for hair products, and essential oils that can be used in hair products. This workshop is centered on building community with Afro-Cubans through our shared relationship with our hair. Black hair products are extremely hard to find in Cuba therefore this gesture is truly an act of solidarity.
DAY 5
Meeting with Afro-Cuban Filmmaker and Scholar of the Diaspora Gloria Rolando. Rolando has made over a dozen films focused on the diversity of the African Diaspora in Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, and the United States. She is well known for her documentary with U.S activist Assata Shakur Eyes of the Rainbow.
Participate in an Afro-Cuban Hip Hop Exchange to engage in a discussion with some of Cuba's top Hip-Hop artists and discuss how Hip-Hop is used as an outlet to engage a racial discourse throughout the Island. This exchange is accompanied with a mini-concert where the artists will showcase their music.
Jazz Festival Event
Day 6
Souvenir Shopping
Departure
How does "Hair + Healing " Support Afro-Cuban Communities?
The African Diaspora Alliance aims to make these events accessible to the community. The natural hair workshop is free and specifically catered towards the needs of Afro-Cubans. The African Diaspora Alliance has been building solidarity with Afro-Cuban artists, scholars, community organizers, healers,and activists since 2014. Participants of "Hair + Healing" will experience authentic cultural exchanges that strengthen Afro-Cuban economies and reunify the diaspora.
How Do I Reserve My Space ?
We require a non-refundable $500USD downpayment by November 10, 2019. All payments can be made through PayPal to "ada@theafricandiasporaalliance.org" please include only your last name and the dates of the tour in the memo line. Final remaining payments are due December 1, 2019.
FACILITATORS
Jasmine Hall and Moriah Ray, CoFounders of The African Diaspora Alliance
For more information on how to participate in "Hair + Healing " please email The African Diaspora Alliance at ADA@THEAFRICANDIASPORAALLIANCE.ORG
Credits:
Created with images by Graham Hunt - "Beauty and the sunflower" • Laura Thonne - "The Jaguar" • makamuki0 - "girl pigtails afro hair bank bicycles urban" • Jessica Felicio - "Depression" • kerdkanno - "herbs natural pharmaceutical" • Kristen Reynolds - "Black girl in Cuba" • Tatenda Dhobha - "untitled image" • Ayo Ogunseinde - "untitled image" • flunkey0 - "havana car night sunrise travel tourism cuba" • Persnickety Prints - "Cars of Cuba 2" • Oladimeji Odunsi - "Power"