About Sarah Hawke

I'm 22 and Tanzanian & English. I'm a recent KCL graduate and in my time studying I concentrated on critical race theory, feminism and identity politics. From this I was able to reflect on the society we live in and explore what it means to be Black. I now work at a software company and on the side engage with research to do with inclusivity in London and the structures of oppression of black women.

I had my hair relaxed when I was around 12 and when I was 17 transitioned  back to natural (with the extensive help of box braids). When I wore my afro hair out for the first time in what felt like a lifetime I felt completely naked and so vulnerable to people perceptions of natural hair and my own internalised racism.

“I learnt myself out of the conditioned state that teaches us of Eurocentric beauty's superiority and embraced the fact of blackness. My skin and hair, slowly but surely became a point of pride and love rather than embarrassment and suppression.” 

Initially, I decided to go natural completely by accident. I was sick of the chemicals and my hair falling out from damage but didn't put much thought into it. Then, with the help of a lot of research, I learnt myself out of the conditioned state that teaches us of Eurocentric beauty's superiority and embraced the fact of blackness. My skin and hair, slowly but surely became a point of pride and love rather than embarrassment and suppression.

Project Embrace encourages understanding our 'hair-story' and fighting the misrepresentation is integral to destigmatising perceptions of being Black. With Project Embrace we are constantly in hand to hand combat with our stereotypes. If being part of Project Embrace influences but one person's view of themselves and adds to the self-love movement that Black women are pioneering, I've done my job.