A group of students and young professionals from London are striving to make the digital world more inclusive by designing emojis that represent Black and mixed-race hairstyles. The partnership between youth-led organisation RISE.365 and PR agency Good Relations aims to combat texturism, a type of discrimination where Afro hair is often viewed as unprofessional or unattractive.
Despite there being around 4,000 emojis available online, none of them feature Black or mixed-race hairstyles. To address this gap, a group of young people collaborated on creating emojis showcasing afros, braids, cornrows, and locs. These emojis are intended to challenge societal beauty standards and promote pride in wearing natural hair.
The designs will be submitted to Unicode, the organisation responsible for emojis, in April 2025 for consideration. RISE.365 highlighted the importance of using terms like ‘Afro hair’ in online searches to demonstrate the demand for these symbols.
The project’s senior creative, Olivia Mushigo, emphasised the significance of these emojis in empowering individuals to feel seen and accepted. She shared that her younger brother has faced discrimination because of his hair, making these emojis a source of representation and confidence for him.
A poll conducted among RISE.365 members revealed that 61% had encountered discrimination or bullying due to their hair, underscoring the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in digital representation. Vanita Brown, the designer behind the emojis, attributed the lack of such symbols to eurocentric beauty standards and the underrepresentation of Black individuals in tech companies.
Mushigo pointed out the importance of diversifying tech teams to create emojis that accurately reflect the world’s diversity. By introducing emojis that celebrate different hair textures and styles, the project aims to foster a more inclusive and accepting online environment.
Overall, the initiative to create emojis representing Black and mixed-race hairstyles is a step towards promoting diversity, combating discrimination, and fostering a sense of belonging in the digital sphere. It highlights the power of representation and inclusivity in shaping online culture and challenging societal norms.