Meet the Founder
Brouke Brookins is the Founder and CEO of Crowning the Culture, a youth-led nonprofit organization advancing Black hair education through science, advocacy, and representation. Brouke’s work is grounded in the belief that Black hair is not simply about appearance, but about identity, health, and self-understanding.
Brouke is an Education major at Hampton University, where his academic focus informs a passion for structured, accessible learning. That passion is deeply shaped by a unique educational background — having grown up in Chinese immersion schooling for thirteen years, Brouke developed fluency in Mandarin and an early understanding of how culture, language, and identity intersect. This experience continues to influence how he approaches education, equity, and community-based learning.
While in college, Brouke has served in student government and several leadership roles that sharpened his ability to organize, advocate, and build systems that serve people effectively. He has also worked as a Servant Leader Intern with the Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom Schools Program, supporting youth-centered education rooted in empowerment, literacy, and social justice — values that directly inform Crowning the Culture’s mission.
Crowning the Culture was born from Brouke’s personal experiences navigating limited access to credible, culturally relevant hair education. What began as a response to that gap has grown into a national organization providing workshops, educational panels, publications, service initiatives, and partnerships across multiple states. Under Brouke’s leadership, the organization achieved 501(c)(3) status in under four months and continues to expand its reach and impact.
Beyond nonprofit leadership, Brouke is also a creative and storyteller, using fashion, media, and representation as tools for advocacy. Through every avenue of his work, Brouke remains committed to building spaces that honor Black identity, center education, and empower the next generation to lead with confidence and pride.
“Every Strand Tells a Story. Thank You for Being Part of Ours”
Mission Statement
To educate, empower, and elevate Black individuals by offering culturally relevant resources, community engagement, and tools rooted in the history, science, and psychology of Black hair.
Vision Statement
To become the nation’s leading educational platform on Black hair care, identity, and wellness, with resources accessible to students, schools, families, and communities across the diaspora.
Organizational Leadership
Executive Board
Oversees day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and execution of organizational initiatives across departments
Royal Court
Serves as the representational and cultural leadership body of Crowning the Culture, amplifying advocacy, visibility, and community engagement.
Executive Operations Committees
Specialized teams responsible for research & education, fundraising, community service, media & marketing, and event planning.
CTC Poses
A creative extension of the organization that uses visual storytelling, concept shoots, and media projects to advance representation and narrative change.
Our Story
My journey to this work started long before Crowning the Culture. Growing up as one of the only Black boys in a Mandarin immersion school, I learned to read and write in Chinese but rarely saw my own culture reflected or affirmed. For most of my life, I wore a simple bald face—clean cut, lined up, and nothing more.
It wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that I decided to grow my hair out. What began as a style choice quickly became a turning point in my identity. Navigating my natural hair—learning how to wash, detangle, moisturize, and protect it—was a process of trial and error. But along the way, I uncovered something much deeper: the history, pride, and truth that Black hair is not just hair. It’s a built-in relationship, a powerful expression of identity, resistance, legacy, and love.
As I embraced my curly afro, questions started coming from classmates, friends, and even adults: What products do you use? How do you keep it moisturized? How do I help my child’s curls thrive? Those conversations revealed a significant gap—so many of us navigate our crowns without guidance, education, or support, often carrying the weight of stigma in schools, workplaces, and society.
That realization sparked the vision for Crowning the Culture—a platform dedicated to empowering people through hair care education and cultural pride.
The summer of 2025 truly refined my passion and dedication to this mission. During that time, I experienced and managed a condition called Telogen Effluvium (TE), or hair loss caused by emotional distress. Watching my hair thin and fall out, clump by clump, wash day by wash day, gave me a profound appreciation for the relationship we have with our crowns. It also provided firsthand experience in dealing with hair damage and loss—and, importantly, how to recover and heal.
This personal journey fuels everything I do at Crowning the Culture, driving a commitment to create accessible, credible, and compassionate education for every person embracing their natural hair journey.
We Want to Hear From You!
At Crowning the Culture, your voice matters. Help us grow and better serve our community by sharing your thoughts and experiences. Our Community Engagement Survey is designed to gather feedback on our programs, events, and initiatives so we can continue to empower and uplift together.
Take a few minutes to complete the survey below and be a vital part of shaping the future of Crowning the Culture.
Your insights inspire us — thank you for being part of this journey!