Girl pulled from class over her braids gets star outfit for 'Black Girls Rock' show

After a video of Faith Fennedy being sent home from school because her hair “didn’t meet the school’s policies” went viral, a group of people reassured the girl that there’s nothing wrong with her appearance and she flew to New York, where she got a VIP treatment at BET’s “Black Girls Rock.”

Faith Fennedy just had one of the most incredible experiences of her life thanks to Protect & Gamble’s “My Black is Beautiful” campaign.

The 11-year-old gained national attention after her family shared a video on social media that shows Faith crying and visibly humiliated after authorities at the Christ the King Elementary School, in Terryton, Louisiana, sent the 6th grader home because she was wearing hair extensions.

Faith’s story caught the attention of The Procter & Gamble Company, which is currently promoting the “My Black is Beautiful” campaign to encourage black women to embrace their looks with pride. They paid a trip for Faith and her family to New York, where the girl also had a shopping spree donated by Macy’s in the company of celebrity stylist Tai Beauchamp.

Beauchamp made sure to create a superstar look for Faith, and the girl rocked it on the red carpet of the “Black Girls Rock” awards. Not only did Faith get VIP treatment at the show, but she also got the chance to meet empowered black women like gospel singer Yolanda Adams and #MeToo founder Tarana Burke.

Beauchamp, who shared an adorable selfie with Faith on her Instagram with a lengthy caption, said to BET:

“We wanted to celebrate her beauty. Braids are beautiful. We affirmed and supported her. We just poured into her. She told me she’s not going to allow this experience to dampen her spirit.”

HOW FAITH BECAME FAMOUS

The original video of Faith’s incident, posted to Facebook by her brother, Steven Fennedy, has garnered more than three million views and 25k comments. In the caption, he explained that his little sister had been wearing extensions for the past two years in school without any problem.

However, the school changed its uniform policy and banned extensions, clip-ins and weaves over the summer. “How do you make a policy without even having a discussion. It’s because you don’t care and it’s just one more barrier to entry for black people,” he wrote. “This decision is going to affect black children more than white children.”

After people started to attack the school and demand a change in their policies, which deeply affect black girls, The Archdiocese of New Orleans released a statement saying:

“Archdiocese of New Orleans schools develop policies appropriate for their respective schools. Christ The King Elementary School has a policy that states: "Boys and Girls: Only the students' natural hair is permitted."

This policy was communicated to all parents during the summer and again before the first day of school and was applied to all students. Furthermore, the school leadership worked with families as needed to ensure compliance.

We remain committed to being a welcoming school community that celebrates our unity and diversity.”

Faiths’ mother, Montrelle Fennidy, confirmed that Faith is no longer a student at the school and she’s currently looking for a new one where the girl can rock her hair without being punished by it. The proud mom also stated that:

“It's been a difficult week for Faith and our family but she's so excited to visit New York, and everyone's been so encouraging and kind. [Faith] is definitely feeling like a very special, very beautiful little girl right now.”

A FAMOUS RAPPER ALSO WEIGHED IN ON THE SITUATION

Is important for black girls to be reminded that there's nothing wrong with their hair, skin color or appearance in general, despite while ignorant people around them might say.

Rapper T.I dedicated a beautiful letter to black girls out there after watching Faith's video. He wrote:

"TO THESE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADIES who endured this covert application of bigotry disguised as school policy... I want you to know this... Your hair is beautiful. Your skin is beautiful. Your minds are beautiful."

And continued:

"And not only that... you’re so undeniably beautiful & brilliant that you threaten anyone who tells you otherwise, to the point that they’re willing to stoop to levels as low as this to discourage you,so you’ll give up on your goals and never reach the levels of greatness they know await you. Please DONT LET THEM WIN!!!"