Unapologetic. Authentic. Crown.
These are the words Texas Tech Univeristy’s Mane Society’s founders used when asked, “What is one word to describe your natural hair?” In a society where wearing your natural hair is often looked down upon and even banned in schools across the world, four girls thought it was the appropriate time to build a platform that shines a positive light on something they hold close to their identity: natural hair.
Society President and Founder Jalaina Douglas, Vice President Kelsha Spencer and Treasurer Tyler Turner gave us the scoop on what exactly Mane Society is.
The Hub@TTU: What is Mane Society about?
Douglas: Mane Society is a club dedicated to helping men and women learn to embrace their natural beauty. Our aim is to be a community that uplifts and educates people throughout their natural hair journey.
The Hub: Why was it so important to have an organization dedicated to natural hair on Tech’s campus?
Douglas: My personal natural hair journey made me learn to love myself and the hair I was born with. It gave me a confidence that I’d never had before. Forming this club was important to me because I wanted other people to gain this confidence and self love that I’ve experienced through my journey. I think it is important to see other people embracing natural hair especially in an environment that mainly focuses on Eurocentric beauty standards.
Spencer: Texas Tech needed an outlet for men and women to go to for tips, help and stories of other’s experiences. It’s never “just hair.” Going through the process of dealing with natural hair is a struggle, and sometimes you need help.
Turner: We also want to embrace different people and textures because being natural is not just having an afro.
The Hub: What do you hope to accomplish through Mane Society?
Spencer: We want this organization to continue for years even after we all graduate. We want it to add something to our university’s diverse student organization community.
Turner: One of my personal goals is to have an organization that blossoms into something much bigger. Of course we want to bring awareness to the people on campus but off campus as well and all around the Lubbock community.
The Hub: How do you plan to involve the Lubbock community?
Douglas: Our meetings are actually open to the Lubbock community and I’ve talked to multiple people who are interested in our club! For example, a lady I know has an adopted daughter who is Black. She expressed to me that her daughter doesn’t see herself reflected in society and as a result she wants to permanently straighten her hair. She is bringing her daughter to our meetings so that she can learn to do her hair. She wants “big girls” that her daughter can look up to and I’m happy to help her with that.
Spencer: We actually have been in communication with the girl’s home here in Lubbock. We plan to go to the facility and do the girls hair every weekend and mentor them, kind of like a big sister!
Turner: We’ve also asked a couple fraternities to help us mentor the boys at the Boy and Girls Club of Lubbock.
The Hub: What would you say to people who are struggling to love themselves and their hair?
Spencer: To find confidence in yourself you have to learn to embrace what you have and work with what you got! You were uniquely made and no one else in the world looks exactly the way you do. That’s something to love!
Mane Society’s first general meeting will be on Sept. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Lubbock room located in the Student Union Building and will be open to the public.
Editor’s note: Author Melanee Brown is a member of this student organization.
About Melanee Brown
