Celebrating Creativity & Identity - Meet Laetitia Ky!

We believe in the transformative power of self-expression, especially through hair. Hair is more than just strands—it’s a form of cultural identity, personal empowerment, and creativity. Laetitia Ky, an incredible artist from Ivory Coast, embodies these ideals in a stunning and unique way by using her hair to create powerful, thought-provoking art.

Ky's journey with her hair wasn’t always this empowering. Like many of the students we work with, she struggled to find beauty in her natural look. She tried everything—relaxers, weaves, and straightening treatments— to conform to beauty standards that didn't represent her true self. Her story resonates with many Black women globally: the feeling that one has to change oneself to be seen as beautiful.

It wasn’t until she discovered the natural hair movement within the African American community that her perception of beauty underwent a shift. Through this, she learned to embrace her natural hair, and that acceptance grew into a deeper appreciation of her entire identity. And ya’ll, we are so here for it!

“Appreciating my hair let me appreciate other things that made me Black… When I started to love my hair, I started to love my skin… and it helped me to love the fact that I was a woman.” 

At Ahead Academy, we are not just teaching skills—we are nurturing self-worth, fostering creativity, and helping young people discover their own beauty and confidence through their hair. If you haven’t seen her work, we encourage you to explore some of Laetitia Ky’s breathtaking hair sculptures. Her artistry reminds us all that hair can be a medium for storytelling, empowerment, and transformation.