Oh My Heavenly Hair Inc. Presents…
International I Love Braids Day
JULY 29… A joyous occasion to celebrate and honor the history and design of braids as a cultural and artistic expression of beauty. Founder Debra Hare-Bey uses the annual celebration to recognize the expertise of Braiders both near and far.
Building Community… At 11:59 pm on July 28th thru the entire day of July 29th we encourage all Braiders, braid enthusiast and novice to post their braided hairstyles on social media using the hashtag #ILoveBraidsDay2023 to share in solidarity.
Through International I Love Braids Day, Debra’s goal is to inspire a new generation of Braiders that will continue to bridge the past, present and future of Braids. To connect the history, art, and culture of braiding whist celebrating the beauty of Braids around the world.
Big News…
The Natural Hair Style and Braiding Coalition- Has a big announcement revealed at IILBD.
The NYS Natural Hair Styling and Braid License celebrates 30 years. The party begins at IILBD
JULY 29th
International I Love Braids Day
Founder Debra Hare-Bey created this day to celebrate and honor the history and design of braids as a cultural and artistic expression of beauty.
celebrate . braids . honor . history .
Debra Hare-Bey
Debra Hare-Bey, a trailblazer in the hair care industry, has been advocating for women and their hair for over three decades. She is widely recognized for creating the iconic hairstyle for Erika Alexander's character, Maxine, in the hit TV show "Living Single," which has become one of the most recognizable hairstyles on television. Recently, Erika credited Debra on social media for developing her unique "Yarn" Braid style. Debra's impressive portfolio also includes collaborations with multiple celebrities and features in numerous fashion magazines.
In addition to her acclaimed natural hair styling, Debra has created her own line of vegan hair and skin care products under the brand OMhh The OMhh Store — Oh My heavenly hair
As the former Associate Editor of Braids & Beauty Magazine, (the first exclusively braiding magazine sold on newsstands globally), she has been a strong advocate of professional natural hair care, using her columns to address important issues and provide accurate braiding and hair care information. Currently Debra is also the Beauty Director for World Bride Magazine.
Debra played a pivotal role in helping to changing the Cosmetology law in the state of New York to include Natural Hair Styling as a viable option for licensed stylists. This opened up doors for many people who did not want to work with chemicals, and it was a significant accomplishment that benefited African American women, braiders, and natural hair enthusiasts. As a result, Debra became a proctor for the New York State Board of Cosmetology Natural Hair Styling Exam.
Currently, Debra is a consultant for "Sesame Street," advising on the design of textured hair puppets and their storylines. She is also a founding member (EVP) of the Natural Hairstyle & Braid Coalition, which aims to preserve the legacy of the natural hair license in NYS in addition to providing education and training on their global platforms.
We Ride Hard For The Culture!
What is the NHBC?
The Natural Hair Style and Braid Coalition is a collective of licensed cosmetologists, business owners, entrepreneurs and organizations, from the Hair & Beauty, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, and Political industries who advocate for education, equity, diversity and inclusivity in the Natural Texture Industry for consumers and stylists.
The 411
Licensed Braider and Founder of International I Love Braids Day (ILIBD), Debra Hare-Bey and activist, Master Pioneer, Educator and author, Diane C. Bailey, founding members of the NHBC are two of the original administrators of the Natural Hairstyling Licence, the first of its kind in the country, which passed into NYS law in 1993. Today they are still fighting to protect natural hair licensing amidst multiple deregulation attempts in the Empire State.
In 2021, the pair joined forces with textured hair Master Pioneer and author, Diane Da Costa, Educator and NYS Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee Appointee, Erin H. Maybin, and Emmy award-winning producer Natasha Gaspard along with the Center for Law and Social Justice, the NYC Black Political Women’s Club and Models of Color Matters to form the Natural Hairstyle and Braid Coalition (NHBC) to protect and update the existing license.
The NHBC members collectively and individually have been the catalyst for change and texture inclusivity for over three decades; consulting and developing texture curriculum and education for Professional Stylists for billion-dollar beauty brands, such as Design Essential, L'oreal’s Mizani and Carol’s Daughter, JCPenney, Unilever’s Shea moisture, TRESemme and Diane Da costa Dyaspora Manhattan salon, the first Multi textured Aveda Concept salon in the country in 1996.
Building Community:
At 11:59 pm on July 28 thru the entire day of July 29 we encourage all Braiders, Braid enthusiast and novice to post their braided hairstyles on social media using the hashtag #ILoveBraidsDay2023 to share in the solidarity of the day.
hash tag
#ILoveBraidsDay2023
2023 Was A Full Vibe…
Braids, braids and more braids was the theme of 2023. Get ready 2024. It’s coming in hot! IILBD will be bigger, and better than ever before!
July 27- 29, 2024
SAVE the DATE: JULY 29
SAVE the DATE: JULY 29
Nina Simone at the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969
7th Annual International I Love Braids Day + Braid Love Celebration
THEME: In the Spirit of Nina Simone
Date: July 29, 2023
Time: 11am - 4pm
Location: Restoration Plaza, 1360 Fulton St, Bklyn NY
Cost: FREE
What you can expect …
Live DJ
Live Mannequin Models
Panel Discussions
Special Guest
Give Aways, Games , Prizes, Swag Bag
Industry Leaders
OMhh Vegan Spa Collection
The Village (Exquisite Vendors and Food Selections
Why celebrate Braids?
Why not celebrate Braids!
Why not celebrate braids! Braids have a long, proud history that can be traced as far back as 30,000 years ago. Braids were Important around the world. They were created with great intricacies that denoted social status, wealth, religion and other classifications for both women and men. Braids of the past gave importance and context to the Braids of today as we witness their resurgence and the culture they represent.
Unfortunately, the rich history of Braids was not enough to withstand racism. Following the abolition of slavery and the beginnings of racial segregation in America Black people were harshly penalized for wearing Braids. Their employment, relationships, social status and more were jeopardized by acknowledging this tradition that was once respected and honored.
Braid enthusiasts, historians, Braiders and the natural hair community fought every step of the way to reverse the stigma of braids and the prejudice that followed. We were not alone, and in 2019, Dove, the National Urban League, Color of Change and Western Center on Law & Poverty partnered to develop the CROWN Act. This legislation, which prohibits hair discrimination, has been passed by House of Representatives and will now be voted on by the Senate. Braids have come a long with a continued story that must be told.
New techniques, vibrant colors, and Braids of fancy have fortified a renewed fervor for Braids. It is now the fastest growing beauty option today surpassing any other style technique.
Braids inspire self-confidence, unique beauty and cultural connections. Braids are widely seen around the world with cultural context throughout Europe, India, China, Japan and more. There is much to be celebrated, Braids have a proud lineage and beauty worthy to be praised. It is with great pride and respect that IILBD celebrates Braids in all of their history, beauty and glory!
The pandemic changed our lives forever and gave IILBD new breath and an opportunity to recalibrate...
2019 proved to be a trying time for everyone. It was International I Love Braids Day 4th year landing us right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Unfamiliar words and actions became our new normal. Quarantining, social distancing, wearing a face masks, washing hands often, and so on, and so leaving us all in a lurch. I quickly had to figure out if and how I would move International I Love Braids Day forward.
How would I move it forward? Two words came to mind that helped guide me through my decision. The words were pivot (rest & turn) and flexibility (willingness to change or compromise). Through those words and great thought the decision to go virtual was born.
Produced by @blackpixelproducts and @manemoves
Celebrate . Braids . Honor . History .
Braids Made History! Now we’re making history Virtually.
TBA
Let’s Celebrate VIRTUALLY!
Join us for IILBD’s second VIRTUAL celebration. The reason for the celebration remains the same. It’s how we celebrate that has changed. The celebration will include:
Candid Convo w/
Debra Hare-Bey
The importance of Braids
Why is the 2022 Theme “ Braids are the NEW Black”
Braids Past, Present
and Future
Reflections from past amazing braided hairstyles