CAMAGÜEY.- Her giant earrings stand out with simplicity in the midst of so much color. The smile dazzles, as does the emotion with which she talks about her project. In a world that has been unjust to a fault with black women; in a context in which she continues to say "bad hair" or "good hair", as if the behavior of hair could be measured; where almost all girls learn from early on that they have to straighten their hair and in a Cuba that tries to break with those old patterns, luckily Gemy Jiménez Álvarez was born. Irreverent, happy and willing to transform, she lives proud of ¡Qué Negra!

"The project has been here in Camagüey for two years now and we are very happy with the results. 'Qué Negra!', like 'Lady Pasúa', exalts natural beauty, so we validate the self-esteem of those women and men who decide to wear their hair this way. We give these people tools and advice that perhaps they could not have had," says Gemy.

This local initiative is now located in one of the stands of the Art and Crafts Fair that is held at the fairgrounds for the 510th Anniversary of the town of Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe. What are the products and services that we find in her stall?

"We have a whole range of natural products, such as hair repair creams; high and low hold gels for hairstyles, braiding and styling. We also offer coconut oil and antifungal tonic, which is used to treat oily scalp, dermatitis seborrheic and very effective against pediculosis".

"Other options we have for this fair: some decorations, combs, brushes, necklaces and more. We will be doing cuts and defining curls for those who want it, as well as simple hairstyles and braids."

Beyond the commercial, projects like Qué Negra!, they have extraordinary social value. Multiplying that seed of change, and much more through a project that generates development and remuneration, is essential.

"I returned a few days ago from an event in Holguín, where we met to exchange experiences and it is very exciting how this type of project has grown. At first there were very few of us in the country and we now have more than 100 people."

From 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. They will be so black! and Lady Pasúa at the venue, from February 1st to 11th.

"The fair always opens the doors to an audience that does not know us. This constitutes an opportunity for exchange with other ventures, sales and discovery for many."

How black the beauty of her stand, how black and good Gemy's candidness. They break with stereotypes that have been assigned to us, when we still live with old racist remnants. The "pasa"(kinky hair or afro-hair), a pejorative term that has been with us for a long time, is now the symbol of some people's rebellion, or simply, their pride. But the important thing is that no hair type continues to be punished for supposedly "misbehaving." Some chemicals and treatments can be aggressive and have serious consequences for people's health. May projects like this continue to gain strength, to give natural afro hair the legitimate space it deserves.

Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez