I ROCK MY OWN 2026

Some of GR’s best photographers volunteer to create images of residents with natural (afro-texture) hair. Participants can use their portraits professionally, socially, or however they want. No watermarks, fees or hidden costs. A genuine community event with the benefit of providing the wider community with an opportunity to see its own beauty and diversity in living color.

Event costs and budget

Who already has committed support?

• Four of GR’s most successful photographers are donating their time/equipment
• Bamboo Grand Rapids is donating the entire 4th Floor gallery space for the event.
• We’re asking two local businesses to donate drinks/snacks for the participants.

What makes it a unique support opportunity?

I ROCK MY OWN promotion and marketing get incredible traction in parts of the community that can be harder to reach by traditional means. Occurring on Juneteenth adds a whole other dynamic to create attention for the event.

But doesn’t promotion launch in two weeks?

Bamboo GR recently offered space which catalyzed community interest in producing another I ROCK MY OWN event. We have a track record for producing this event in a way that benefits all involved. We need $2,500 in additional support.

What levels of support are we asking for?

We’re looking for additional supporters at the $250, $500 or $1,000 levels to complete our budget.

What visibility can supporters expect?

All supporters will be attributed in every form of promotion/marketing, with visibility in equal emphasis to every aspect of event information.

Cash expenses for the event.

• Modest stipends, post-production professionals
• Modest stipends, hair/makeup professionals
• Minimal craft services (water, juice, snacks)
• Some refreshments for the participants
• Print and paid promotion/marketing needs
• Rental of camera kit (lights, computers donated)

Contact info, timeline for committing support

Questions? Please contact [email protected]

Kindly tell us the preferred attribution name/title.

Donations can be mailed, transferred by 6/19/26.

About I ROCK MY OWN

• An original West Michigan project
• Largest natural-hair portrait event anywhere
• Proven success in two prior event years
• Visual-based, highly shareable experience
• Demonstrates part of our city’s cultural identity
• Pro-community, non-commercial collaboration
• An experience producing authentic interactions
• Portraits provide positive and real representation
• Images are source of price for wider community
• High accessible event in the center of the city

Links to previous IRMO events

Photo Gallery: IRMO I  /  IRMO II

Reporting: additional IRMO events

Impact in a participant’s words

Blogger DaLoveLEE1 wrote a terrific blog about her experience as a participant in I ROCK MY OWN.

“We deserved to celebrate and affirm ourselves and each other. Taking pictures is a great way to do that. Nothing says you are wonderful than to get dressed up and preserve the memory of you looking regal. That’s exactly what happened at this photo shoot.”

“I enjoyed seeing different people respond in front of the camera. Their personality really comes out. Some people really own it. They have no problem showing off their swag. Others were more shy. One Sistah even said, I’m an introvert. She slayed tho.”

“People in the audience gave the models nods of approval and praise so everyone got through it. Some people took group pictures and there were a few family portraits as well. The photographers used a ladder to get certain angles. They had a monitor to review each shoot. They really did a great job giving directions. There was another photographer taking behind the scenes shots.”

“This was also great opportunity to network. Out in the lobby I sipped coffee and had discussions with Curl Friends about hair styles, products, self-love and the need to embrace each other to improve the community. I even connected with a fellow blogger too. There were tons of people from Grand Rapids but I also met a Curl Friend from Rochester, NY whose only lived here for a year. She just wanted to meet people with similar interests.”

More info about Natural Hair

Wikipedia article about natural hair

8 Truths About Natural Hair No One Understands
(Article from TheList.com)

Natural Hair 101
(Article from CurlCentric.com)