By Foresee Foundation
True Roots Foundation, in collaboration with Axum Art Café, announces Hair Stories 2026, a three-day educational series examining Black hair through the lenses of history, identity, and contemporary experience. The series will take place February 26-28, 2026, at Axum Art Café and offers participants an opportunity to engage in learning, cultural reflection, and hands-on engagement.
Hair Stories 2026 invites participants to explore hair as part of social history, identity, and belonging. Voices such as Clara Reyes, Rochelle Ward, and psychologist Zoya Hyman will help guide conversations on the cultural, historical, and contemporary realities of Black hair. The programme also features a dedicated youth discussion with students from St. Maarten Academy and members of Teen Times, centring youth perspectives on identity, school experiences, and education policy.
“Hair Stories 2026 is about creating meaningful space for learning, reflection, and connection,” said Ryanne Bowers, Project Manager of Hair Stories 2026. “It invites open conversation and shared stories on how hair carries history, identity, and lived experience.”
Participants can expect an educational lecture on the history and evolution of Black hair, an open panel discussion exploring identity, culture, and policy in education and the workplace, and a hands-on natural hair care session rooted in shared knowledge and practice.
Hair Stories 2026 is open to community members interested in engaging with these themes in a thoughtful and supportive environment. Registration is limited, and interested participants are encouraged to secure their spot early. Registration is available via QR code through True Roots Foundation and Axum Art Café.
Hair Stories is part of the Let’s ACT Program. The Let’s ACT Program, funded by the Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie (FCP), is a collaborative initiative of CEDE Aruba, the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), and Foresee Foundation (4CF). The programme is designed to expand public access to the arts, support local creatives, and build a sustainable cultural and artistic infrastructure in St. Maarten and Aruba. Running from April 2025 through September 2026, Let’s ACT will empower local artists and cultural organisations through funding, training, mentorship, and community engagement.
For more information about Hair Stories 2026, registration details, or media inquiries, please contact True Roots Foundation via Ryanne Bowers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at +1 (721) 554-0448.
