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The Power of Natural Hair and Cultural Identity: A Conversation with Kelli Shakur, Founder of FroGang Foundation
When it comes to embracing cultural identity, there is no better place to start than with something as deeply personal as our hair. For youth, learning to appreciate and love their natural hair can be a journey filled with challenges, including societal pressures and negative stereotypes. However, Kelli Shakur, the founder of FroGang Foundation, is on a mission to change that. Through her work, she is empowering girls to love their hair and their culture, promoting a positive self-image that extends far beyond the surface.
A Second Chance, Inc. had the opportunity to sit down with Kelli and discuss the vision behind FroGang and the importance of cultural representation in shaping the self-esteem of youth, particularly those in the child welfare system.
For Kelli, the inspiration behind FroGang came from her own struggles with self-acceptance. She recalled the bullying she experienced growing up because of her natural hair, and how that impacted her perception of beauty. “What inspired me to create FroGang was my own insecurities with my hair,” Kelli shared.
“It wasn’t until I went to Miles College, that I started to see the beauty in natural hair. The southern sisters were rocking their natural hair, and I began to feel more confident about mine.”
Her experience of discovering the beauty of natural hair in college led her to create a space for girls to learn to love and care for their hair, just as she had done. She noticed that many young girls from her hometown were still struggling with similar insecurities. “I saw young girls wearing hoodies in 90-degree weather because they didn’t want to show their hair. It broke my heart.”
Representation is crucial, especially for youth in the child welfare system, where cultural identity can often be stifled. Kelli believes that when young people see positive portrayals of their culture, it helps them build a stronger sense of self-worth. “If you don’t know anything about your culture, it’s like only half of you is there,” Kelli explained.
“Without cultural representation, negative stereotypes can creep in, and we start hearing things like, ‘Your hair is ugly or unmanageable.’ This kind of language feeds into low self-esteem and self-hate.”
By offering culturally relevant education and representation, FroGang is helping to combat these damaging messages. Through their work, they create an environment where girls can embrace their natural beauty with pride and confidence.
FroGang challenges this stigma of natural hair being ‘unkempt’ by teaching girls to embrace their natural texture, whether it’s curly, coiled, or kinky. Kelli is passionate about helping young girls break free from the pressure of “getting their hair done” in the conventional sense.
“Once they learn to love their natural hair, it’s like a weight has been lifted. They become more confident, and their self-esteem skyrockets.”
When it comes to supporting children in the child welfare system, Kelli believes that education and proper representation are key. “I think the child welfare system needs a team that focuses specifically on cultural education—specifically hair education,” she said.
“It’s not just about teaching kids how to style their hair. It’s about helping them understand why they should love their hair, so they don’t fall into the trap of self-hate.”
Kelli believes that experts who can provide this kind of education and work with both youth and parents are essential. “It’s not just about the kids… it’s about educating the adults too,” she emphasized.
FroGang’s mission is to continue spreading the message that all hair is beautiful, unique, and powerful. Through workshops, community outreach, and advocacy, they are helping to build a brighter future for youth, one where they feel free to embrace their natural beauty.
Kelli’s vision for FroGang is clear: to empower girls to be unapologetically themselves and to teach them that their hair is a crown, not something to hide or feel ashamed of.
As she puts it, “We must wear our hair with pride. Our hair does not dictate our worth. It’s time we stop tiptoeing for America and embrace who we are, unapologetically.”
FroGang’s Initiatives
As FroGang continues to uplift youth voices and advocate for change, they’re also working on initiatives, including their upcoming trip to Uganda to help build a well for Ugandan sisters. Additionally, FroGang offers free dolls and books by authors for children who look like them, to ensure they see themselves represented in the stories they read and the toys they play with. For more information about these efforts, visit FroGang’s website.