#AskAnActivist x Celai West

#KinkyHairMatters is not just a hashtag but an empowering lifestyle that is perfectly embodied by natural hair + texture activist, Celai West! From runway model to entrepreneur, this young queen is boldly making a point to shred beauty stereotypes by embracing her natural crown and blazing a trail for girl + women!

Let’s #AskAnActivist with Celai West….

As an impactful texture + natural hair activist, why is it important for you to embrace your natural texture + encourage other girls to do so as well?

I think it’s very important because I was born like this. If God has given me this hair, I should love it. I think that everyone else should love it too, because He didn’t make any mistakes.

Your love for speaking + your stunning natural hair gave birth to “The Chatty Chick” T-shirt collection! How does your collection help others speak up against stereotypes often put on black girls and their beauty?

Well, I started out with only natural hair tees to help girls like me feel more empowered by our big hair. When I would wear them, they would make me feel like I’m showing everyone how much I love my hair, and I want other girls to feel the same way too.

Your activism simply doesn’t stop at fashion! Every t-shirt sold is a tree planted with Trees For The Future, why is it essential for your generation to understand and protect + care for the environment?

I just feel like it’s super important that we take care of our planet. I’ve traveled to places that don’t offer recycling, so I wanted to find a good way to help reverse some of the damage we cause to our planet.

Being a runway model + producer, what has been the most encouraging compliment or feedback that another young girl has told you about your movement?

We get lots of messages from parents, teenagers, and even older adults, in the U.S. and overseas, saying my pictures have helped them (or their kids) to start loving their big hair and that makes me feel really good.

What does rockin’ your beautiful + glorious afro mean to you?

Rockin’ my fro means I love my hair and it shows that I don’t have to change it or conform just to fit in. This is how I was born, and it’s perfect the way it is.

We know that “ACT” is the keyword in ACTivism, what’s one ACT you would tell girls to do to embrace self-love?

I would definitely tell them to BE YOURSELF. They are already perfect, so just own it!

Follow more of Celai’s journey here…

Celai West

The Chatty Chick

Instagram