Cover image: Photographing Akil Carter's Caribbean Household series
© Entrée to Black Paris

by Regina White

Regina White is the Wells International Foundation's 2024 Winter-Spring Intern. 

Regina devoted 26 years to serving in the Air Force before embarking on the pursuit of a degree in Gender, Sexuality, and Society at the American University of Paris (AUP) as a complement to a previously attained MBA in Human Resources. A global resident, she has broadened her perspectives through experiences gained by living and working in diverse regions of the world.

In a world where diversity, equity, and inclusion are ongoing struggles, the role of art becomes increasingly vital in fostering understanding and appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Art exhibitions serve as spaces where individuals from all walks of life can come together to celebrate creativity and expression, offering a platform for marginalized voices to be heard and valued.

As I stepped into the familiar halls of the American University of Paris (AUP) Combes building, I anticipated another routine day on campus. Yet, as I rounded the corner beside the expansive windows overlooking the library, something caught my eye – a breathtaking portrait.

Captured within the frame was a young girl, her hair intricately styled into six wide plaits adorned with delicate pitch-black Afro-puffs that formed a regal headdress at the nape of her neck. Her stark white blouse provided a striking contrast, accentuating the beauty of her woven tresses against the pristine fabric.

Photo from Akil Carter's Caribbean Household series
Image courtesy of Regina White

In that moment, I was overcome with emotion, realizing that this portrait was not just a standalone piece of art, but a part of a larger exhibit titled Ode To Blackness…Everywhere, curated by AUP alumna and founder of Pop-Out Art Collective, Aalyiah Heath. It dawned on me that this exhibition was more than just a display of artwork; it was a celebration of voices like mine – voices rarely heard and seldom celebrated in such grandeur.

Speaking briefly with Aalyiah, I sensed her passion and pride for the work she had brought together. It became evident that for her, this exhibit was about more than just the physical artwork; it was about the stories behind them, the narratives of the artists reflecting their own cultures and backgrounds. It was a revelation to witness so many diverse voices shining brightly within the space.

Caribbean Household series
Akil Carter
© Entrée to Black Paris

A ceux dont les noms sont oubliés
Nana Sani
Photo © Entrée to Black Paris

Left: Cultured (Black) Pearls - paintings by Soul Food X Madiakam
Right: Black Narratives - photography by Awo Marlene Ahodetor
Photo © Entrée to Black Paris

Untitled 24 
Donatella Jackson
Photo © Entrée to Black Paris

Hair We Go series
Rebecca Rowe
Photo © Entrée to Black Paris

Presence (part of series)
Farade Nicolas
Photo © Entrée to Black Paris

Deep within me, an intense desire bubbled up, urging me to express my heartfelt gratitude to Akil Carter, the talented artist behind the mesmerizing portrait. His knack for encapsulating the essence of childhood memories in a single frame was truly awe-inspiring.

I yearned to convey to Akil how his artistry whisked me away to a Sunday before Easter in 1983 – a moment suffused with the fragrance of "Blue Magic" hair grease lingering on my mother's hand as she meticulously straightened my thick Afro with a hot pressing comb; echoes of laughter and the soulful tunes of Rick James filling the air and enveloping me in the warmth of family gatherings. His photograph served as a portal to the past, resurrecting cherished moments with unparalleled clarity.

Akil’s portrait not only captured the beauty of the young girl's hair but also embodied the communal aspect of hair within the black community, and I was fortunate enough to be able to express to him the profound impact his work had on me. It was more than just a photograph; it was a poignant reminder of the beauty and resilience inherent in black culture, a testament to the power of art to transcend time and space.

In reflecting on his work, Akil shared,

The reason I chose hair is because it has always been something that has been a point of emphasis in my life in a lot of different rooms that I have been in, as well as in a lot of different ways positive and negative at different stages of my life. I have also observed and participated in the ways in which hair is communal and wanted to try to capture that in the work.

His words resonated deeply with me, as I recognized the significance of my hair as more than just a physical attribute but as a symbol of identity, community, and resilience within the black experience.

Ode To Blackness…Everywhere exemplifies the transformative power of inclusive art exhibitions in fostering understanding, appreciation, and celebration of diverse voices and experiences. Through the visionary curation of Aalyiah Heath and the remarkable talent of artists like Akil Carter, we are reminded of the importance of representation and the profound impact that art can have in shaping our perceptions and understanding of the world around us.

Read the American University of Paris article about the opening for Ode to Blackness...Everywhere HERE.