Emojis are more than just fun icons. They’ve become an essential part of digital communication. They reflect how people see themselves and the world around them. Yet, for Black women and men, the representation of natural hairstyles is glaringly absent. That’s where the brilliant young minds at RISE.365 come in, creating the first-ever natural Black hair emojis to fill this long-overdue gap.

These groundbreaking designs feature popular hairstyles like afros, braids, cornrows and locs. Beyond being just pixels on a screen, these emojis stand as symbols of identity and culture.

An Emoji Movement Rooted in Representation

The idea for natural Black hair emojis was born in RISE.365’s young women’s circle during a discussion on social media pressures, colorism and texturism. Amina Gray, youth mentor at RISE.365, explained to 21Ninety that the conversation highlighted the exclusion of Black and mixed-race hairstyles in digital spaces. While the idea stemmed from the group’s young women, they made it clear this campaign is not gender-specific, but rather a celebration of all Black and mixed-race hair textures.

“By introducing these new emojis, we’re normalizing Black and mixed-race hairstyles in today’s society,” Gray told 21Ninety. “It’s groundbreaking because these emojis will be the first of their kind, but also because they spotlight a broader issue—being overlooked and unconsidered.”

Creating these emojis was a labor of love and community. RISE.365 invited 30 young people to sketch emojis that represented them, focusing on hairstyles. The drawings reflected the pride and diversity of their community, sparking conversations about what their hair meant to them and why representation matters. The selected designs became a collective statement. Hair is more than just a style. It’s history, culture, and self-expression.

“The design process was not just about the emojis,” Gray said. “It was a conversation about belonging and identity.”

Changing the Narrative of Black Hair

For decades, Black hair has faced discrimination. People label the styles “unprofessional” or “unsuitable” because of their natural textures. The introduction of these emojis could begin to change those perceptions by embedding natural hairstyles into the global digital language.

“When we see ourselves represented, it validates who we are and says, ‘You belong here,’” Gray said.

These emojis inspire confidence, pride and acceptance in spaces where Black and mixed-race individuals have often been marginalized. For the young people of RISE.365, this campaign has been transformative. Seeing their designs take shape and potentially join Unicode’s global emoji lineup has been both exciting and deeply empowering.

“Our young people are passionate about fighting injustices,” Gray said. “This was another opportunity for them to do what they do best. They’re proud to be part of something that could become a piece of history.”

What’s Next?

The journey doesn’t end here. RISE.365 is already exploring new ways to promote Black beauty and identity. While details are under wraps for now, Gray hints that this campaign is just the beginning.

“Watch this space,” she said.

As the world waits for Unicode’s decision, one thing is certain: these teens have started a powerful conversation. By creating these emojis, they’re not just changing the way people communicate. They’re changing the narrative around Black hair, one pixel at a time.