World’s First Emojis With Black and Mixed-Race Hairstyles

Client: Rise 365

Community group Rise365 was on a mission to raise awareness of ‘texturism’ - discrimination experienced by those with textured hair, primarily from Black and Mixed-Race backgrounds. With our research showing that 61% of Rise365’s young members had experienced texturism, we set about showing the world that Afro-Caribbean hair is beautiful and worthy of celebration, using a language all teenagers use every day - emojis.

After over 300 pieces of coverage, broadcast news segments across four different continents and organic engagement from a Spice Girl, our Afro Hairmojis sparked a global conversation about representation, driving an 800% increase in searches for ‘Afro hair’.