True Roots SXM

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An advocate for the eradication of hair discrimination, inspiring action and awareness through dialogue, art, music and legislative change, to ensure that everyone has the freedom to express their identity without fear or prejudice.

True Roots Thanks You for an Incredible Hair Stories 2026! 🪮🎉We are so grateful to everyone who joined us at Hair Storie...
05/03/2026

True Roots Thanks You for an Incredible Hair Stories 2026! 🪮🎉

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us at Hair Stories 2026. Your presence, your stories, and your openness made these three days truly transformative.

Day 1 set the tone with a moving spoken word piece by Artem Del, followed by an eye-opening lecture by Rochelle Ward of Don’t Break the Comb on the history and evolution of Black hair from a Caribbean perspective. Day 2 brought us together across generations. Our youth panel featured students from St. Maarten Academy, youth advocate Shiloh Williams of Teen Times, and the Honorable Minister Melissa Gumbs of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. Our adult panel brought equally powerful conversation, with Clara Reyes, Zoya Hyman M.A., forensic mental health counselor, and Hendrick Snijder, Senior MIS Officer at Windward Islands Bank. Day 3 was celebration and community in full bloom. Students from the National Institute of Arts filled the room with pride through their performance of “Ma Hair.” Maya Williams-Thomas of Reflourish Hair Care led a grounding herbal hair oil workshop, and Shawn J. closed the evening with a live performance that sent everyone home on the highest note.

To every speaker, panelist, performer, workshop facilitator, volunteer, and community member who gave their time, energy, and heart, thank you! ❤️

Hair Stories 2026 is proudly supported by the Let’s ACT Program, funded by the Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie (Funds for Culture Participation) and implemented through a partnership between CEDE Aruba, the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), and Foresee Foundation (4CF).

📸 Pictures from all three days are on the way. Keep your eyes on our page!

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✨ MEET OUR YOUTH PANELIST ✨Introducing Shiloh Williams, a dynamic young leader, pageant queen, and youth advocate dedica...
24/02/2026

✨ MEET OUR YOUTH PANELIST ✨

Introducing Shiloh Williams, a dynamic young leader, pageant queen, and youth advocate dedicated to uplifting the next generation of Sint Maarten! 👑✨

Born and raised in Sint Maarten, Shiloh is a graduate of the Methodist Agogic Center — Comprehensive Secondary Education High School and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management with a Minor in Marketing at the University of St. Martin. 🎓📚

Shiloh’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She’s an active member of Teen Times and Youth Parliament, using her voice to advocate for young people across the island. Her commitment to community service is rooted in her faith and her close relationship with God, which continues to guide her purpose. 🙏🏾💚

Family-oriented, outgoing, and driven by a desire to make a difference, Shiloh aspires to one day become Minister of Education, where she hopes to positively impact education, sports, culture, and youth development across the island. 🌟

For Hair Stories 2026, Shiloh brings the youth perspective to our Session 2 youth panel on “Black Hair in the Modern World”, sharing how young people navigate identity, self-expression, and school expectations in today’s world. Her voice represents the future we’re building together. 💭✊🏾

📅 February 26 to 28, 2026
📍 Axum Art Café
🎟 Limited spots available

Ready to hear from the next generation of leaders? Secure your spot today!

Link in bio! ⬆️

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✨ MEET OUR PANELIST ✨We’re excited to introduce , one of our featured panelists for Hair Stories 2026! 🎙️Born and raise...
18/02/2026

✨ MEET OUR PANELIST ✨

We’re excited to introduce , one of our featured panelists for Hair Stories 2026! 🎙️

Born and raised right here in Sint Maarten, Zoya is a Forensic Mental Health Counselor who brings her heart and expertise to our community every day. 💚
With degrees from York College (Summa Cum Laude! 👏🏾) and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Zoya specializes in trauma and mental health care at Qualichi Healthcare Clinic. But her impact goes far beyond the clinic walls.

Through her “Therapist Talks” platform, grief counseling with Kingdom Courtyard, and youth mentorship programs, Zoya is dedicated to healing, empowerment, and breaking down barriers. 🌱

For Hair Stories 2026, Zoya will join our panel discussion on “Black Hair in the Modern World” — exploring how identity, culture, and workplace policy impact psychological wellbeing. Her unique perspective on how discrimination affects mental health and professional identity promises to spark important conversations we all need to have. 💭✊🏾

📅 February 26 - 28, 2026
📍 Axum Art Café
🎟️ Limited spots available

Ready to be part of this transformative conversation? Registration is NOW! Link in bio to secure your spot! ⬆️

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🚨 ONLY 10 DAYS LEFT 🚨Hair Stories 2026 is COMING and you don’t want to miss this.📅February 26–28 | 📍Axum Art CaféThis is...
16/02/2026

🚨 ONLY 10 DAYS LEFT 🚨

Hair Stories 2026 is COMING and you don’t want to miss this.

📅February 26–28 | 📍Axum Art Café

This is MORE than an event. This is where Black hair meets identity. Where culture becomes conversation. Where stories become movements.

Three days of:
✨ Powerful storytelling that’ll move you
✨ Real dialogue that matters
✨ Hands-on learning you can take with you

Haven’t signed up yet? Link in BIO to secure your spot NOW! 🎟️ 🔗

Mark your calendar. Tag your friends. Let’s build a community together.

See you there! 👑

✨ MEET OUR PANELIST ✨Introducing The Honourable Melissa D. Gumbs ( .sx ), Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Spo...
11/02/2026

✨ MEET OUR PANELIST ✨

Introducing The Honourable Melissa D. Gumbs ( .sx ), Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport. 🇸🇽✨

As a visionary leader, Minister Gumbs brings a dynamic, forward-thinking approach to her role that drives efforts to modernise education, promote cultural identity, and create pathways for our young people to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 📚💡

With a Master’s degree in International Business from St. Thomas University and a decade-long career in corporate management and market analysis, she combines data-driven leadership with a deep commitment to transparency and governance reform. 💼🌍

Minister Gumbs is a passionate youth advocate who co-founded the Unified Sint Maarten Connection (USC) and established the MECYS Youth Cabinet. She combines data-driven leadership with a deep commitment to transparency, innovation, and ensuring young voices shape policy. 🎓💚

Most recently, Minister Gumbs has been at the forefront of combating hair discrimination in education by spearheading the legislation process to prohibit discrimination against students based on their natural hairstyles. 🪮💪🏾

For Hair Stories 2026, Minister Gumbs joins our Session 2 panel on “Black Hair in the Modern World,” bringing her expertise on policy, cultural identity, and the need for creating inclusive spaces where authenticity is valued and protected in educational environments. 💭👑

📅 February 26 - 28, 2026
📍 Axum Art Café
🎟️ Limited spots available

Join us for this powerful conversation with a leader shaping our future! Secure your spot today, link in bio! ⬆️

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✨ MEET OUR PANELIST ✨Introducing .reyes1 , a cultural icon and champion of Sint Maarten’s heritage who has dedicated her...
10/02/2026

✨ MEET OUR PANELIST ✨

Introducing .reyes1 , a cultural icon and champion of Sint Maarten’s heritage who has dedicated her life to preserving and celebrating our identity. 🌺

Born in Curaçao and raised in Sint Maarten, Clara holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography (with a focus on dance education) and has spent decades as an educator, choreographer, researcher, storyteller, and cultural worker. 💃🏾✨

From 2018 until concluding her active service in December 2025 (with her official retirement in 2026), she served as Head of the Department of Culture within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, working to preserve, promote, and elevate Sint Maarten’s cultural identity. 🇸🇽💚

Clara is co-founder and former co-director of the National Institute of Arts and was honored as a Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix for her contributions to culture. 🏆👑

Through research and advocacy, she helped revive the historic Ponum Dance and initiated platforms such as the Culture and Creative Industry Forum and the Sage Cultural Awards to strengthen the island’s cultural ecosystem. 🎭🌴

Known for embodying cultural pride and authenticity, Clara’s work spans education, performance, policy, and community engagement 🙏🏾

For Hair Stories 2026, Clara joins our Session 2 panel on “Black Hair in the Modern World,” bringing her perspective on identity, cultural expression, and authenticity in professional spaces. 💭✊🏾

📅 February 26 to 28, 2026
📍 Axum Art Café
🎟 Limited spots available

Ready to learn from a true cultural icon? Registration is NOW OPEN! 🎟️

Link in bio to secure your spot! ⬆️

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✨ MEET OUR OPENING POET ✨Introducing Artem Del, , a St. Maarten-born poet, spoken word artist, and photographer who’s b...
09/02/2026

✨ MEET OUR OPENING POET ✨

Introducing Artem Del, , a St. Maarten-born poet, spoken word artist, and photographer who’s been turning words into healing since she was just 12 years old. ✍🏾📸

For Artem, poetry isn’t just an art form, it’s a tool for self-discovery and healing. And she’s on a mission to show our community that this powerful practice belongs to all of us. 💭✨

Since August 2024, Artem has been leading poetry workshops right here at Axum Art Café, breaking down barriers and tackling misconceptions about who gets to be a poet. Her message is simple but revolutionary: “Anyone Can Write.” 🖊️

Through her work, Artem creates spaces where creativity flows freely, where vulnerability is welcomed, and where people discover their own voice. For Hair Stories 2026, Artem will open Session 1 with an original spoken word piece — setting the tone and bringing an artistic experience to our exploration of Black hair history and evolution. Get ready to feel this journey from the very first word. 🌱👑✨

📅 February 26 to 28, 2026
📍 Axum Art Café
🎟 Limited spots available

📲 Scan the QR code to register and view session times. Registration link also in Bio!

🇸🇽

✨ MEET OUR OPENING POET ✨Introducing Artem Del, , a St. Maarten-born poet, spoken word artist, and photographer who’s b...
09/02/2026

✨ MEET OUR OPENING POET ✨

Introducing Artem Del, , a St. Maarten-born poet, spoken word artist, and photographer who’s been turning words into healing since she was just 12 years old. ✍🏾📸

For Artem, poetry isn’t just an art form, it’s a tool for self-discovery and healing. And she’s on a mission to show our community that this powerful practice belongs to all of us. 💭✨

Since August 2024, Artem has been leading poetry workshops right here at Axum Art Café, breaking down barriers and tackling misconceptions about who gets to be a poet. Her message is simple but revolutionary: “Anyone Can Write.” 🖊️

Through her work, Artem creates spaces where creativity flows freely, where vulnerability is welcomed, and where people discover their own voice.

For Hair Stories 2026, Artem will open Session 1 with an original spoken word piece — setting the tone and bringing an artistic experience to our exploration of Black hair history and evolution. Get ready to feel this journey from the very first word. 🌱👑✨

📅 February 26 to 28, 2026
📍 Axum Art Café
🎟 Limited spots available

📲 Scan the QR code to register and view session times. Registration link also in Bio!

✨ MEET OUR SPEAKER & FACILITATOR ✨Introducing - founder of “Don’t Break the Comb” and a powerful voice in natural hair ...
05/02/2026

✨ MEET OUR SPEAKER & FACILITATOR ✨

Introducing - founder of “Don’t Break the Comb” and a powerful voice in natural hair education across the Caribbean! 🌴💫

Since 2010, Rochelle has been on a mission to honor natural hair through care, culture, and storytelling. What started as a passion has grown into a full educational platform that’s transforming how we see and care for our hair. 👑

Based right here in St. Martin, Rochelle creates workshops, courses, and events that empower girls, women, and families to care for their hair with confidence and intention. Her work centers Afro-Caribbean hair traditions, practical skill-building, and self-love. 🙏🏾✨

At the heart of everything she does is building spaces where hair becomes a source of connection, creativity, and healing. 💚

For Hair Stories 2026, Rochelle will lead us through Session 1: The History and Evolution of Black Hair, then facilitate our panel discussions and workshop for Sessions 2 & 3. Her expertise will guide us through this entire transformative journey! 🎙️✨

February 26 to 28, 2026
📍 Axum Art Café
🎟 Limited spots available

Ready to start this journey with us?

📲 Scan the QR code to register and view session times. Registration link also in Bio!

🇸🇽

True Roots Thanks You for an Incredible Hair Stories Event!We are so grateful to everyone who joined us at "Hair Stories...
16/09/2024

True Roots Thanks You for an Incredible Hair Stories Event!

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us at "Hair Stories.” Your stories, laughter, and openness made this event a truly transformative experience. Together, we not only celebrated the beauty and diversity of our hair but also co-created a space where we could openly discuss the broader issues of discrimination that impact our community. It was an evening of learning, healing, and solidarity, as we came together to break down barriers and build understanding.

A special thank you to the of St. Martin for providing us with a space that allowed these important conversations to happen. Your support enabled us to foster a transformative and empowering environment where we could address the challenges that go beyond hair, touching on the deeper roots of discrimination and inequality in our society.

To our amazing sponsors, partners, panelists, and guests we couldn’t have done this without you. Your commitment to promoting inclusion, cultural pride, and positive change is truly inspiring.

Thank you all for being a part of this journey with us. We look forward to growing this community and continuing to embrace our roots, our way.

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