The Roots of our Roots is a series of three short, mixed-media fully animated videos that celebrate the Black hairstyles as worn by the (gorgeous) cast of Grown-ish. Featuring three styles: Braids, Afro and Locs, the bespoke stories tell the historical background behind each style and honor their true origins. The animation brings a narrative that flows effortlessly with images and illustrations inspired by Africa’s rich cultures. The stars of Grown-ish provided the narrations: Yara Shahidi for ‘Braids,’ Diggy Simmons for ‘Afro,’ and Luka Sabbat for ‘Locs.’ The pieces have dropped throughout the month of February, marking the celebration of 2022 Black History Month.
Makiné collaborated closely with the Marketing Creative and Brand Design team at Freeform to develop the stories and carefully design and animate them to a selection of African rhythms. Freeform also enlisted the work of historians and academic consultants to ensure the accuracy of the information being presented. The result is a beautiful tapestry of style, culture, and history that honors the rich history of Black people.
