The first World Afro Day was endorsed by The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and successfully launched 15 September 2017. They set a World Record and received extensive national and international media coverage, plus support from global brands and celebrities like the cast of Black-ish. This totalled 2.5 million coverage views worldwide.
Now backed by UNESCO ASPnet UK. They are releasing World Afro Day lessons and a film competition nationally in schools June 29. The World Afro Day Lesson teaches critical thinking, cultural education and creative solutions for negative attitudes towards Afro Hair. Young people aged 10-21 will watch clips, research, discuss and create a one-minute awareness or celebration film about Afro Hair. The films can be entered into a national competition, with awards presented on World Afro Day, on the 15th September 2018.
The lesson produces empathy, equality and empowerment with benefits to teachers and all pupils in cultural collaboration and Afro advocacy. Thandie Newton, Lenny Henry and Jamelia, have all agreed to support via social media.
Michelle De Leon Founder says:
“The lesson resource aims to help turn ignorance into inclusion for Afro hair. School is often a significant place, where black and mixed-race children, feel the pressure to conform and reject their own natural hair type because of daily comparisons to the straight hair standard, idolised in society.”
The first lesson was carried out successfully in Roundhay School, Leeds and was filmed by ITV News. Children support clip available on request. There are further opportunities (on request) to film a lesson this Friday in London.
Credibility of World Afro Day Lesson Plan
The lesson has been supervised by Dr Jacqueline Harding, Vallance MA, Cert Ed, neurophysiology cert, SFHEA.
The World Afro Day initiative is supported by Professor Des Tobin:
"Luxuriant scalp hair growth is a defining feature of humans, with importance for both our biology and our sense of well-being. I fully support the work and intention of World Afro Day, as this example of human hair diversity, helps to express the full extent of our human family's richness".
NOTES TO EDITORS
World Afro Day Lessons will be available to download free from the www.worldafroday.com on the 29th June.
They are meant for schools, educational organisations and youth groups but individuals can also download them.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldafroday
Instagram: http://instagram.com/worldafroday
Promotional video available here
High resolution images available here
For all press and media enquiries, please contact: Karine Laudort (karine@kayflawless.com)