By: Wei Cai '20

AMHERST – With first place on the line, three hair braiders sought to win over judges and spectators at Malcolm X Cultural Center’s (MXCC) third annual Afro-Hair braiding competition. In under three hours, contestants would transform three models’ hair styles – all while educating the community.

The contest – held on March 23 from 5-9 p.m. – promoted awareness and increased education on braids and the cultural values they represent, according to Alayjah Lee, an events coordinator at the MXCC.

“There is so much legacy, history [in braids] … it’s very important for African and Afro-Diaspora communities all over the world,” said Ximena Abello, an event judge and Ph.D. candidate in the Afro-American Studies Department.

According to Lee in a presentation to the audience, braids serve various practical purposes such as keeping hair clean, and keeping it out of someone’s face. Lee also noted that braids have historically signified tribe, wealth, age and status in many African communities.  

The braiders – Lara Andrade, Yemisi Genebar and Princess Adedoyin – were judged by a panel of community members featuring Abello, Joyce Vincent and Erica Wilson.

“[The braids] are showing that historical lineage. I think that’s something that all of us have in common regardless of what our ethnic backgrounds are … and to watch people utilizing that skill is wonderful,” said Vincent, an UMass faculty retiree.

The high historical significance was met with high expectations from the judges as well. According to Wilson, who is also the owner of Head Games Beauty Supply in downtown Amherst, she would be judging both the technique and appearance of the braids.

“[I’m looking for] the beautiful sculpture … but also braiding with a healthy technique, so it’s not too tight, it’s not looking painful, but rather, it’s looking graceful and elegant,” said Wilson.

But in the end, it came down to one winner.

Judge Joyce Vincent fills out her score-card alongside other judges  after each contestant has had the full three hours to braid. The judges then deliberated for approximately five minutes before reaching a decision. Taken on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Malcolm X Cultural Center in the University of Massachusetts Amherst located in Amherst, Mass.

Yemisi Genebar’s braids on her model, Raquel Kiddu, featured bright pink accents, and a “freestyle” technique. The combination of technique, appearance and dedication won the pair first place.

“To achieve this style for the edges, I used Gatsby glue … to lay the edges, I just used my fingers …,” said Genebar. “For the actual braids itself – for laying down the hair into the braids – I used my raised edge wax because that doesn’t flake also, and then to give it the shine, I used mousse.”

Braider Yemisi Genebar, right, displays her braids on model, Raquel Kiddu, left, on March 23, 2018 in the Malcolm X Cultural Center located in the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Mass. Genebar ultimately opts for a combination of techniques including "free-styling."

Coming in second place was braider Princess Adedoyin and model Tara Oluwafemi; third place was awarded to Lara Andrade and model Ashley Cardoso.

All braiders were awarded Visa gift cards for their participation in the competition. First place was awarded $150, second place was awarded $100 and third place was awarded $75.

With prizes awarded, and braids on display, the event coordinators had just one message for the attendees and braiders alike: continue educating the community and practice hair braiding, because they don’t know who they can inspire.

For more info on the Malcolm X Cultural Center, visit their page...

Editor's note: A version of this story appears on the Amherst Wire.