Courtney Brooks

"This Crown Belongs to US"
Journey of a Black Girls presents, "This Crown Belongs to US" a fiber art installation originally displayed on Art Atlanta BeltLine's Southside Trail in 2020, is community hair braiding project were Artist, Courtney Brooks created oversized braids made out chunky yarn and other mixed materials to hang as a public art experience to highlight the creativity, sisterhood and importance of Black hair practices. The braids are dedicated to the moments when we learned to adorn our hair in every texture, color and style. Exploring our self identity, loving ourselves and embracing our culture. THIS CROWN BELONGS TO US included, Hair Day, a workshop where Black women and girls connection on hair braiding techniques, open dialogue and to participate in making the 15ft long braids. The importance of creating unity, sisterhood with shared hair experience is uplifting and empowering for acceptance. This Crown belongs to US, also recognizes and inspired to bring awareness to The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) is a law that prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or style. It protects people from being denied employment, educational opportunities, or access to programs and activities that receive federal funding.
Journey of a Black Girl also includes short films that accompany the project, like This Crown Belongs to US filmed directed by Melissa Alexander and Angela Davis Johnson.