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Unapologetically Me: Young Black Women are Embracing Their Crowns at TSU

Written by on February 5, 2025

By: Erin Slaughter

Vibrant colors, curls, and bold Black girl hairstyles adorn the Tiger Walk at Texas Southern University (TSU) as the new semester kicks off.

At TSU, young Black women proudly wear their hair as a powerful declaration of individuality, comfortability, and identity.

Dayja Saures, a recent graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, confidently embraces her protective style, unapologetically owning her look.


“At first, I worried about how I would be perceived, but now I don’t really care. I guess I just kind of do what feels good for me, and this is what protects my hair the most and makes it easier for me to get to work in the morning,” she said.

Dajyja Saures, TSU law student

Jayhlin Rodgers, a broadcast journalism major at TSU, echoed Saures’ perspective, crediting her foundation of self-assurance to her mother.


“I’m really blessed that my mom, at a young age, taught me how to do my hair. She emphasized the importance of learning to take care of natural hair because when she was younger, she would get perms often and didn’t take care of her hair. So, at a young age, I learned to appreciate this mane,” Rodgers said.

That same confidence and self-expression were visible along the Tiger Walk, where curls, braids, short-cuts, and unique designs converged—each style reflecting its wearer’s personal identity.

 Payton Victoria, a freshman at TSU with a grapefruit-colored mohawk, said her hairstyle is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a declaration of freedom and self-expression.


“As soon as I saw my haircut, I was immediately like, this is me. This is how I like it. This is how I want it. This is my hair,” she said.

 Payton Victoria, TSU Student

As the celebration of personal style and comfort echoed throughout the Tiger Walk, Kamille Patton, a psychology student at TSU, said that her moment of self-celebration came when she learned to embrace her slowly growing auburn locs.


“It feels really good. It took a lot of patience. Honestly, it took a lot of confidence. I started with two strands. They were really short at first, and I compared myself to others, feeling like my hair needed to be longer, she said,” running her fingers threw her growing locs.

But then I began to love my hair, and right now, I am so, so happy with it,” she continued.

Kamille Patton, TSU Student

Patton’s journey to embracing her natural hair aligns with the advice Saures would give her if their paths had crossed.

Saures believes strongly in the importance of owning one’s individuality and resisting the need for external validation and She encouraged Black women to stay firm in their choices.


“Quiet all the noise. What everybody else says about your hair doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is how you feel about your hair and what’s most convenient for you. What makes you feel the most beautiful,” she said.

This powerful reminder underscores the idea that hair, like all forms of self-expression, is an individual choice. Whether it’s cornrows, locs, or any other style, it reflects personal preference, history, and culture—a statement that demands respect and recognition.

The confidence, individuality, and cultural pride on display along the Tiger Walk—where young Black women proudly adorn their natural and protective styles—are no coincidence.

Black women have long been trailblazers, and the young women at TSU continue to exemplify this through their personal style and hairstyle choices.