EARTHLY ABUNDANCE

Ida Nelson is an entrepreneur, mother, and now co-contributor of the first-ever law to BAN all hair discrimination in Illinois. This is significant as school policies policing Back hair texture, and Black hair design have inhibited the expression of individuals for generations. As our society has increased its prison industrial complex in the last few years, the policing of our school districts has right alongside of it. This has traumatized both teachers and students alike, as explained here in this article by Block Club Chicago and on the infamous Instagram page Latin Survivors. While public schools previously held a law banning hair discrimination based on texture, it did not include design and did not reach private institutions that caused the most damage to the Black self-image.

One mother said she had enough when 4-year old Gus Nelson was told he could not come to class unless his twists were undone. Now, the Jett Hawkins Act outlaws hair discrimination against texture and style. Something the new charter school leader can most certainly be proud of.

4 Year Old Gus Nelson was told his hair was a "distraction" in class. He was instructed by his teachers to take it down immediately or else he would not be able to return to class. His mother, refusing to listen to this criticism took her story to anyone who would hear it, determined to change this school's rule for the mental sanity of all children who have faced similar discrimination. After months of sharing her story, she gathered national news attention. On August 13th Governor Pritzker passed the Jett Hawkins Act thus outlawing discrimination in all Illinois schools.

Listen below to be inspired by her works and how she is changing the world one story at a time.