The film 鈥淔reedom Hair,鈥� based on the true story of Melony Armstrong, a working mother whose decision to create her own business transformed a profession, will be shown at 暗网TV on Monday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland.
Armstrong will be attending, and following the screening will participate in a question-and-answer
session that will also feature Joseph Corey, who was an associate producer with the
film. The screening and Q&A are being hosted by the college鈥檚 Markets & Morality
student organization.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
As dramatized in 鈥�,鈥� Melony Armstrong of Mississippi seeks to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence but encounters unexpected obstacles through state cosmetology regulations that create unrealistic requirements for a type of hair care that they weren鈥檛 developed to address. Armstrong was not only able to navigate the regulations to establish her own business but successfully lobbied the state to change the law, paving the way for other entrepreneurs to open salons of their own. Her efforts and advocacy have helped lead to change in other states as well.
鈥淔reedom Hair鈥� was produced by MPI Original Films and released earlier this year, and was named Best Feature Film in the 14th Charlotte Black Film Festival in addition to being named an official selection of several film festivals, including the American Black Film Festival; the Washington, D.C., International Film Festival; and the International Christian Film and Music Festival. It stars Simona Brown as Melony Armstrong, with the cast also including Jeremie Harris as her loving husband, Kevin, and Sophia Bush as Dana, a lawyer who helps her in the fight.
Markets & Morality aims to support and celebrate freedom of expression in the context of the liberal arts by hosting speakers and films on topics spanning the economic, political and cultural aspects of human civilization, with a special concern for human flourishing as understood in Christian perspective. The organization is co-sponsoring the event with the college鈥檚 Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Economics and Business, and Department of Political Science.
To inquire about accessibility or if you need accommodations to fully participate in the event, please email accommodations@hope.edu. Updates related to events are posted when available at hope.edu/calendar in the individual listings.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. 8th St., between College and Columbia avenues.