A premiere, community-centered event that will explore the origins, evolution, and varied aspects of ethnic hair care.
The program will include a panel discussion, live demonstrations (of natural hair care maintenance/styling), musical entertainment, a catered luncheon, and guests' choice of complimentary entry to a performance of TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL or AIN'T TOO PROUD - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at The Bushnell (1 complimentary ticket per guest).*
Program:
11:00am-12:00pm | Welcome/Panel Discussion-Industry Experts & Professionals
12:00pm-12:15pm | Musical Performance by Celebrity Violinist, Kersten Stevens
12:15pm-1:00pm | Luncheon
1:00pm-2:00pm | Live Demonstrations and Audience Talkback/Q&A
2:00pm-2:30pm | Mini Concert by Kersten Stevens and her Live Band
2:30pm-2:35pm | Closing Remarks/Special Announcement
2:35pm-3:00pm | Meet/Greet and Photo-Op w/Kersten Steven(VIP** guests only)
*Event tickets purchased on or before Friday, April 7 will include the option to choose one complimentary ticket per guest to either show; event tickets purchased after Friday, April 7 will include the option to choose one complimentary ticket per guest to AIN'T TOO PROUD. Ticket purchasers will receive an email the Monday following their purchase to confirm their performance choice.
**VIP ticket holders will receive an exclusive "swag bag" and entry to the Meet/Greet post-show w/Kersten Stevens.
Performance by Kersten Stevens
Hailed as the “Queen of Sacred Soul” Kersten Stevens is undeniably redefining the jazz violin experience one electrifying performance at a time. Emerging from an accomplished classical foundation, Stevens has fostered a unique improvisational freedom that wows music enthusiasts! Critics laud her performances for technical brilliance and expansive musicality: “Breathtaking pyrotechnics that burst with pure joy” says All About Jazz. “Imagine if jazz master Jean-Luc Ponty’s violin were suddenly possessed by the spirit of Marion Williams, and you have some sense of what Stevens can do. She is a gift to music,” hails The Black Gospel Blog. Stevens has performed before esteemed notables such as President Barack Obama, Ray Charles and Denzel Washington as well as with music greats Kim Burrell, Christian McBride and her mentor, renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter. The one to watch, Stevens has earned several distinguished awards. She is a six-time winner of the historic Amateur Night at the Apollo and Showtime at The Apollo and has been honored for music excellence by her alma mater Yale University, the NAACP, Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens, The Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra and more. Beyond her successful music career, Stevens is a highly sought after digital media strategist, serving the world famous Apollo Theater, among a diverse roster of non-profit and entertainment clients. Most recently, she has produced livestream, digital broadcasts featuring EGOT John Legend, Gospel Legend Donald Lawrence, Emmy-Award winning director Roger Ross Williams, Grammy-Award winning band leader Christian McBride, Avery Sunshine and more! A colorful palette of musical innovation; Kersten Stevens is a revival for the music soul!
Meet the Panelists
Keisha Grant is an anchor for NBC Connecticut. She can be seen weeknights at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. alongside co-anchor Mike Hydeck and Chief Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan. Keisha is an Emmy Award winner who has covered a wide range of breaking news stories from coast to coast, including some of Connecticut’s most memorable headlines of the last decade. She has been honored by the NAACP for her commitment to community involvement. She has also been honored with awards from several other organizations including The Ohio Valley Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Society of Professional Journalists, and MADD.
Most recently she was the recipient of the Community Award, an honor bestowed upon her by the Consul General of Barbados in New York, recognizing her contribution to the field of journalism while proudly representing her Bajan heritage. Keisha loves hiking, traveling, mentoring youth and enjoying everything that nature has to offer. She says her parents are her role models and credits her mother’s strength and her father’s West Indian culture to her strong values and work ethic. Keisha lives in the Farmington Valley with her husband, daughter, and son.
Dianna LeFevre is a Master Stylist, Curl Expert, Salon Owner, Educator, and founder of Raw Beauty by BillieRenae products.
She is a Connecticut State Licensed Cosmetologist that has mastered the art of design and maintenance of natural hair. Her passion from the start has always been to provide the healthiest hair care using healthiest of products.
Dianna's Natural Hair Care where "Natural Hair begins with RawBeauty" was established in 2017 located at 23 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT. Dianna's Natural Hair Care caters to all types of curls, waves, and locs while extending a unique personalized experience.
Sheena McFarlane received her bachelor of science in nursing with a minor in biological sciences from the University of Connecticut in 2007. She began her nursing career in a busy state-of-the-art neurotrauma intensive care unit. For the next several years, she honed her skills to become an expert critical care nurse working in various critical care settings and acquiring her critical care nursing certification. In 2014, her career took a different path when her friend and mentor was diagnosed with Lymphoma. At that point, Sheena became interested in the field of Oncology. She accompanied her friend through every step of his journey: from diagnosis, to treatment, to stem cell transplant and survivorship. Sheena wanted to continue helping others with their cancer journey. In 2015, she accepted a position as an infusion nurse in a larger cancer center, acquiring her oncology nurse certification later that year. Over the next several years, she continued to help people through their journey to survivorship. In 2017, Sheena decided to further her career and enrolled in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. In 2021, Sheena received her doctorate from Quinnipiac University and became a board-certified nurse practitioner later that year. Sheena currently works in the field of Classical Hematology.
Tammy Denease is the Executive Director of Hidden Women, LLC; the Executive Artistic Director of the Hidden Women Stage Company and the Outreach Director for the Connecticut Freedom Trail.
As a historian, Tammy has studied the intimate lives of Black women hidden in history. Through the Hidden Women Stage Company, Tammy brings their stories to life. As a consultant Tammy helps organizations to interpret their sites and belongings to connect and engage with their communities.
Tammy Denease is from Columbus, Mississippi but resides in Connecticut with her family.