The new documentary Bad Hair, gives a candid perspective of how the Black aesthetic, especially in regard to hair, is increasingly viewed as a threatening nuisance and a topic of ridicule in America. Karen’s Body Beautiful Founder, Karen Tappin-Saunderson, educator, community organizer and CEO of a natural hair care empire is the central focus of this piece giving viewers a glimpse into her life as a business woman, mother, wife as well as her campaign to reverse the negative perceptions cast on black beauty. Set in New York this film is a tale of how Tappin-Saunderson became a rising star in the Billion dollar hair industry. In just seven years she transformed her organic hair and body care line from a home-based business to an enterprise with robust internet sales and placement in Target stores across the nation. Her company and products have been profiled in a myriad of publications, including New York Times, New York Daily News, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Essence and Vibe Magazine.
“I created Karen’s Body Beautiful because there’s a false notion that natural hairisn’t… chic, isn’t sexy… ,” Karen said. “Natural Hair can be beautiful, chic, and aspirational.”
I can’t wait to see this. I think it’s important to be able to watch a film that portrays real women, in real light and real situations. I am hoping that it will help to educate people to the fact that The Natural Hair Movement is not just a passing phase, but a revolution. It is past time that Black women recognize the greatness and glory in our beauty so that we can begin to pass our confidence and strength on to the next generation. I am eager to see how she turned Karen’s Body Beautiful into a household name. I met Ms. Tappin-Saunderson one time at a hair show and she was very pleasant and inviting. I am sure she will do well in this project.
This documentary will be directed by Velissa Robinson, acclaimed director of Seen Also In Men (Best Documentary at the Beijing International Student Film Festival) She currently works at the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program, where she helps to curate a slate of independent documentaries for funding.
Bad Hair is currently in production and raising funds via Indiegogo.com to complete this year. The funding campaign will end March 05, 2015. You can read more about that here:
Do think that natural hair is a passing phase?
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