VeCoya Banks recalls the drastic change to her hair care routine when she transitioned back to being natural around 2009. 

She spent many hours in the salon and experimenting on her own with products and styles. Her previously bra-length hair suffered from breakage simply because she didn’t have the hair care knowledge. 

“That’s when YouTube was really big, and I started looking at different people’s hair care journey,” said Banks, now a Washington, D.C. based mompreneur of two with her own natural hair brand. “I honestly didn’t know not getting a relaxer was an option.”

As she explored her distinct texture and grew to love the various curl patterns growing from her scalp, the journey empowered Banks to develop Love the Hair Your Wear, a community dedicated to helping Black women embrace their natural hair with pride and knowledge. 

Although the CROWN Act, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination, was signed into law the summer of 2019, there are still strides to make. Black women are still more likely to face hair discrimination in the workplace compared to women of other races. 

Some 15 years after Banks transitioned, natural hair empowerment is more relevant than ever. To Banks, it’s because natural hair becomes more dynamic as we ourselves evolve. 

“I think that it’s still relevant because we’re still figuring out our hair care and what works best for us,” Banks said. “I feel like it evolves. It changes. Our hair is actually a reflection of who we are. As that changes, as that evolves…the options need to continue to be available.”

Love the Hair Your Wear at North Carolina A&T

Love the Hair Your Wear recently held its now annual event at Banks’ alma mater North Carolina A&T. 

In its third year, the event brought natural hair education, conversations and networking opportunities to HBCU students. 

Banks this year received more than 800 RSVPs, a mark of Love the Hair Your Wear’s growing success. 

“With me being a wife, a mom, having a full-time job, putting this event on definitely takes a ton of time,” the former Aggie said about bringing natural hair opportunities to her hometown. “I get so filled up hearing from different students.” 

Miss A&T was in attendance and afterward sent Banks a message. Banks said the esteemed student expressed how much she learned in navigating her own hair. These inspiring remarks help busy mom Banks continue to grow this community, which started as a blog with her sister 10 years ago. 

Building Roots

A few years back, Banks coordinated a natural hair photoshoot in Washington, D.C., where she currently lives with her family. The project went viral, and it moved Banks to dig deeper into what she could do with Love the Hair You Wear. 

Not only does it provide a space for education about hair products, textures, techniques and overall hair care – it’s an opportunity to share stories. From the negative effects of comparing hair types to feeling comfortable in new protective styles, Love the Hair You Wear became a forum to empower naturals and build healthy hair habits. 

“What you see is what you tend to gravitate toward,” Banks said. 

But there is one more aspect of her trailblazing work. In creating something that reaches HBCU students, Banks is also empowering a significant number of Black daughters. Her 1-year-old is currently too young to soak in her mother’s feats, but Banks knows she is sowing seeds for her children’s future. She also has a 5-year-old son. 

“For me, it’s important because I have a daughter. I want her to be her best self and to know that the world is her oyster,” Banks said. “To me, I’m paying it forward so someone’s going to enrich her.”