On the sixth of May, 2019 something horrifying happened. The Dutch lifestyle and fashion TV show allowed one of the cast members to make racist comments about Afro and kinky curly hair.

This exploded in a negative in all the news platforms and many if not all black and brown men and women were grossly offended. Robin Ramos (20) and Kymani Ceder (19) wrote a poem as a response. They used the poem as a positive representation by, from and for the Afro-Dutch community. The goal is to use the movie “The Crown” (De kroon) created by Robin and Kymani to create awareness and free the Black community from the chains of stereotyping of Afro hair.

Robin and Kymani chose to form the video as a school assignment with a theme family.

Using ‘Black hairstyles’ as a point gave them the inspiration to show different historical and tribal connotations involving Afro hair. In many cultures, it is still a way to be in contact with the ancestors. Besides braiding, is doing hair an activity done throughout time and has it has been a signature activity in black families.

The short film portrays a paradox time-machine with precolonial impressions. It takes you on a journey back to the age of where the traditional braids were used to connect the past with the present.

The movie is a re-enactment of history acted out by present-day Dutch Africans. How do Dutch Africans experience their African identity after the physical alienation that has taken place after slavery? How do they feel about their hair now? How do we feel during and after watching the short film?

Around 80 people were involved by the making of the short film: De Kroon. Some well-known artists and actors from the Dutch entertainment such as Sylvana Simons, Veronica van Hoogdalem, Digitzz, Clarice Gargard and Guillermo Babel.

“De Kroon” is a poetic storyline about the relationship Afro Dutch citizens have with their natural hair and hairstyles. The Natural Hair movement is becoming more and more visible in the world. And we are loving it.

For all readers from the Netherlands: Want to read more about the backstory and behind the scenes, straight from the creator/inspirator of this video? click here. 

‘The beginning is always tough, but always have in mind what you can achieve when you get there” – Daniel Nizzy

The artist himself

My name is Nwabueze Chukwunonso Daniel, I am from Anambra state(Nigeria), the 2nd child of my family. We are a family of 4 actually, 3 boys and a girl. 

I attended air force secondary and graduated in 2015. Now, I am a student of the University of Agriculture Makurdi.

I just had a love for cartoons and artwork, I had a passion for it. I went into graphics right after my graduation from secondary school. I focused on cartoon graphics mostly. And as of 2016, I looked more into it. Although I wasn’t that good at it…

When did you discover you had a talent for Graphic Design?

Well, I can’t actually say. I just had a love for cartoons and artwork back then. I was an artist and I loved drawing and sketching as well!

“The talent was already there, I just had to improve on it.” – Daniel Nizzy

Who inspired you to start graphic designing?

I had so many inspirations. People online were the most inspiring though like Kingston, Madskill Jeremy and so many others. During that time my designs were not as good as theirs. So I put more work into it because theirs were already awesome. 

Did you study to become a graphic designer or is it a natural talent of yours?

Study? Kind of! I guess online videos and YouTube videos were one of the things that guided me. The talent was already there, I just had to improve on it.

Daniel Nizzy – Graphic designer

What are your goals with graphic designing?

I would like to work for well-structured companies. A nice pay would be very nice too. I would like to take graphic designing to a whole new level because it has helped me a lot in my life.

How many hours does it take to make 1 logo or 1 portrait?

It depends on what the customer wants. Because being a graphic designer, creativity is needed and much thinking too. I can’t really say any design has a specific timing. But as for portrait, an hour or more is okay, without any distractions or interruptions.

Daniel Nizzy – Graphic designer

How can fans contact you?

They can reach me through my personal mobile (08160309746) (Nigerian Line) or they can hit my inbox through my Instagram handle @daniel_nizzy, Or they can reach me through my place of work which is at ‘Meeting Point Photography‘ based in Nigeria.

Any advice for others who want to become a graphic designer?

The beginning is always tough. But always have in mind what you can achieve when you get there. Just keep pushing. If you need any assistance, you can always send me a Direct Messgage.

Find him on Facebook to enjoy his art: OG NIZZY JFK

Who is Mijaca?

My name is Michael Cary also known as Mijaca in the dancescène.

I’m a person who really  tries to put my whole heart and soul into dance. I do that because it is one of my biggest passions. ( also known as my life ?). My other passion are spending time with family, Friends, life partners a.k.a my squad. We all have our own individual passions and the same passion which is dance. We also share many same goals. If you look at my life partners in my crew it will really reflect who I am as a person.

My sister and I were raised by my grandmother(she is American btw). Also do I have 3 brothers. I am 21 years old by the way.

Photography by @sorawya

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Zwijndrecht which is close to Rotterdam city in the Netherlands. I lived there till the 3rd grade in elementary school. After that I moved to Vleuten and finished elementary school there.

Not too long after that I relocated back to Zwijndrecht and finished highschool in Dordrecht. Also did I graduate from the dance school in Utrecht Overvecht called “Creative college” it is an street style school where you learn a lot of stuff about the whole hiphop dance-scene.

Photography by @sorawya

So your greatest passion is dance?

That is correct and my fam “the squad” as well ofcourse.

Because i do literally everything with dance. I think in dance; I move with dance and I cannot imagine that i will ever completely stop dancing.

This also goes for the fam. I can’t imagine the fam stopping any time soon.

Dancing is also a way of dealing with my personal stuff. It brings me joy and I love being joyful with other people. I travel more due to dance as well. My whole life is influenced by music and dance.

What other passions do you have?

I love doing so much stuff it is hard to name them all. I am interested in a lot of things. Doing photo-shoots is one of these things.

I really like doing them and it would be so funny to see these pictures when I am older and look back at them.

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