For too long, afro and textured hair has been underrepresented — or misrepresented — in mainstream culture and digital communication. Young people are challenging this and leading the call for change.
This display is inspired by the bold and powerful work of the young people of RISE.365, who launched the Emoji Campaign calling for better representation of afro and textured hair in digital spaces.
The campaign quickly went viral and gained global momentum, sparking conversations around the world about representation, identity, and equality. With the support of personal care brand Dove, RISE.365 submitted detailed applications to Unicode, the governing body for emojis, to ensure that afro and textured hair is fairly represented on digital platforms used by billions of people every day.
This display shares their journey, their experiences, and their vision for a future where representation truly matters. It stands as a powerful reminder that young people are not just shaping tomorrow — they are making change today.
RISE.365 is a community interest company (CIC) based in Hackney aiming to change the lives of young people in our communities.
Event timings:
5.30pm - doors open
6.30pm - performances
7.45pm - event ends
8pm - Hackney Museum closes
