Our Story
Crowning the Culture was created out of a deep need to reframe the way Black youth see their hair not as a burden, but as a crown. For too long, Eurocentric beauty standards have stigmatized natural Black hair, sending the message that curls, coils, and kinks must be tamed or hidden to be considered professional, beautiful, or acceptable. This narrative has left many young people questioning their worth and struggling to embrace their authentic selves.
Right now, education and empowerment are more important than ever. By teaching Black youth about the history, versatility, and beauty of their natural hair, we help them build confidence and pride in who they are. At the same time, we work to dismantle harmful stereotypes and challenge the stigma that continues to shape perceptions in schools, workplaces, and beyond.
Crowning the Culture exists to inform, uplift, and celebrate. Our mission is to create a world where every Black child sees their hair as a symbol of strength, heritage, and identity
A message from our founder
My name is Brouke Brookins—I’m a youth educator, author, and currently a student at Hampton University. I founded Crowning the Culture to create a space where Black hair and culture are not just seen, but celebrated. My journey to this work started long before CTC. I grew up as the one of the only Black boys in my Mandarin immersion school, where I learned to read and write in Chinese but rarely saw my own culture reflected or affirmed. For most of my life, I wore a simple bald fade—clean cut, lined up, and nothing more. Sophomore year of high school, I made the decision to grow my hair out. What began as a style choice became a turning point in my identity. For the first time, I had to figure out my curls—how to wash, detangle, moisturize, and protect them. Every step felt like trial and error, but along the way, I uncovered something deeper: history, pride, and a truth that Black hair is not just hair. It’s identity, resistance, legacy, and love. As I embraced my curly afro, questions started coming in from classmates, friends, and even adults: What products do you use? How do you keep it moisturized? How do I help my child’s curls thrive? Those conversations revealed a gap—so many of us are navigating our crowns without guidance, without education, and with the weight of stigma in schools, workplaces, and society. That realization sparked the vision for Crowning the Culture: a platform dedicated to empowering people through hair care education and cultural pride. Today, CTC is still growing, but we’ve already hosted educational workshops, built a passionate executive board, and are developing tools and programs to support youth and families. This work is more than hair—it’s about reclaiming who we are. Because when we reclaim the crown, we reclaim the culture. Together, we are building something powerful, because, Every Strand Tells a Story, Thank You for Being Part of Ours.
