U is for “understood the assignment,” and Sesame Street gets an A+!
The beloved children’s show is celebrating Black History Month by showcasing the beauty and long-standing legacy of Black hair. The educational series teamed up with Dove and the #CROWNLove campaign to give a few of its characters new hairdos rooted in centuries of Black culture and tradition.
This month, Sesame Street is spotlighting three iconic styles: box braids, cornrows, and Zulu Knots. But beyond aesthetics, the project also aims to teach kids about the unique history and meaning behind each iconic ’do.
“Hair is an important part of who we are,” Sesame Street shared in its Instagram caption. “It helps us express ourselves, and can tell important stories about a person’s culture and heritage.”
RELATED CONTENT: Dove Launches Guide To Improve Black Hair Representation In Video Games
To ensure that the messaging resonates with younger viewers, Sesame Street tapped Gen-Alpha creators like 7-year-old social media sensation VanVan. The “Wear your crown” artist joined characters Gabrielle, Elmo, and Abby Cadabby to sing about morning routines and hair pride, rapping, “Kinky, curly, wavy, straight, I love what I got.”
Known for breaking ground and barriers, Sesame Street first tackled the subject of Black hair more than a decade ago with the viral “I Love My Hair” campaign and later episodes like “Wash Day,” which focused on hair care, routines, and family traditions. The series kicked off after higher-ups realized that Black children were internalizing negative messages about their hair texture and styles.
This year’s project is equally educational, giving historical context to the three hairstyles,…
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