Ayana Byrd

Jan 13, 2024 | bellanaija.com | Ayana Byrd |Lori L.Tharps

On August 28, 2016, a group of schoolgirls in South Africa had finally had enough. It was time to challenge and confront the overly strict hair policies of their school. And so with placards in their hands and one voice, they staged a protest against the discriminatory hair policies that particularly affected black girls.

Nov 21, 2023 | foundation.mozilla.org | J. Bob Alotta |Ayana Byrd

The Mozilla Foundation was founded in 2003 with the guiding belief that the internet is a global public resource that must remain open and accessible to all. Mozilla continues to be driven by this core mission, but — especially in this moment of tremendous technological shift — we know that one organization alone cannot safeguard the open internet. Collective action is required to truly shift power. This is why we invest in movements alongside markets.

Oct 1, 2023 | afropunk.com | Ayana Byrd |Lori L. Tharps |Raquel Martín

In celebration of National Hair Day, I want to talk to you about hair discrimination. I know, why do you have to be the downer Dr. Martin. In my defense, it is not me who is the downer. It is racism. In 2019 Dove conducted a research study investigated hair-based discrimination against Black Girls ages 5 to 18. Key findings of the study included Black youth face hair discrimination as young as age five. 66% of Black girls in majority European American schools report hair discrimination.

Aug 2, 2023 | xp.land | Ayana Byrd

Before Burning Man, before Coachella, there was (and still is!) SummerStage. Since 1986, New York City’s Central Park has hosted the performance series, which has welcomed musicians, poets, and dancers including Patti Smith, Celia Cruz, and Jason Moran in shows that are usually free to the public. The eclectic lineup — which is fitting for a city as global as New York —is the brainchild of SummerStage founder Joe Killian.

Mar 13, 2023 | binnews.com | Ayana Byrd |Zuri Anderson