Your go-to for important introductions & engaging public speaking at events
Introducing Emma Dabiri for Villanova University's 2022 Literary Festival
Our class thoroughly enjoyed the privilege to dive deep into Twisted, and unfold the complicated history of Black hair together. Like the process of braiding, Dabiri's book methodically deconstructs our understanding of societal standards of beauty, and how they're threaded with prejudice going back to the days of European colonialism. She examines the ways that racialization is not limited to skin color, and how Black hair has been the site of discrimination and stigmatization for centuries. She then rebuilds and strengthens our knowledge with the beautiful history of Black hairstyles- from the ancient to the modern, or as she puts it, "the reason that the hairstyles worn by our ancestors still bang in 2018, and... will bang in 3018” (Dabiri 86).
We all marveled at her unique ability to weave together the intricacies of hair and its connection to oppression, while simultaneously illuminating the way hair has created kinship communities across the world. She focuses in on the Yoruba people, with whom she shares ancestral ties, providing a complete account of their rich artistic, linguistic, spiritual, and cultural traditions.
From metaphysics to media, Dabiri connects us to the points of shared experience between Black women when it comes to hair, despite... "be[ing] continents apart" (24). Dabiri also shares her own personal relationship with hair. She boldly opens up her own insecurities and leads us along her journey to self love and acceptance. As a fellow curly-haired woman, I was personally really appreciative for her vulnerability, inviting us into her childhood through photos and anecdotes. Dabiri's story should serve as inspiration for anyone who underestimates the power- and natural beauty- of whatever hair grows on their head.
Twisted teaches us the history we should have learned long ago. It is poignant, passionate, and unvanquishable. It reminds us that "we can look to indigenous culture for innovative responses to contemporary issues" (84). Without further ado, we are honored to present tonight’s speaker for the 2022 Villanova Literary Festival, Emma Dabiri.
Lively Opening Speech at 2023 Teen Sustainable Fashion Show
Good afternoon everybody and Happy Earth Day! What a perfect day to culminate a program that highlights and celebrates our Earth and sustainability. If you don’t know me, my name is Lily Switka, and I am the STEM Program Coordinator for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. I am so happy to be here with you all today for our organization’s first ever member-led Sustainable Fashion Show. Let’s give a round of applause, because we are already making BGCNEO history!
Our teens from four Clubs have been working tirelessly on their designs over the past few months, and have had the opportunity to dive deep into the subject of sustainability as it relates to fashion, since the program’s onset in November. They also learned about other aspects of the fashion industry, such as fashion photography, how trends differed and repeated themselves through the decades, how textiles and different fabrics decompose (or don’t), the importance of upcycling, and so much more. It has been such a pleasure for me to create this program with feedback from our members throughout, and see their confidence in their own individual styles grow, leading up to today.
We have a very special guest with us this afternoon, who will be our MC for the show. I would like to introduce the amazing Wanda Ewing, a Board Member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. She’s the Director of Operations for WNZN POWER 89.1 FM Cleveland/Lorain, which is a Stellar Award Winning Radio Station. Wanda is a radio personality and can be heard each Saturday morning from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Her radio show is also filmed for television and airs in over 200 million homes worldwide. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she is also the auditor for the Cancer Center of University Hospitals Cleveland Midtown. Wanda, thank you for being here. Take it away!