Earn Your Leisure Podcast Summary
Episode: Untold Story of Curl Fest: Black Women Plan to Bounce Back After Shutdown
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Hosts: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings
Guests: Melody and Simone, Co-founders of Curly Girl Collective and Curlfest

1. Introduction of Guests and Organization

In this special episode, hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings welcome Melody and Simone, the co-founders of Curly Girl Collective and Curlfest. They delve into the origin story of Curlfest, highlighting its growth over the past decade.

Notable Quote:
Rashad Bilal [01:25]:
"It would start out with five women. How, how. What is the situation now?"

2. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Melody discusses how Curlfest, which celebrated its 10th anniversary, was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally attracting tens of thousands of attendees, the pandemic forced the organization to postpone events and reconsider their operational strategies.

Notable Quote:
Simone [03:01]:
"The pandemic hits. So you have the kind of put things on a hold for that because you can't do events in New York, especially at that time."

3. Decision to Pause and Overcoming Challenges

Facing economic hardships and a challenging political climate, the co-founders decided to pause Curlfest for 2025 with plans to return in 2026. They emphasized the increased complexity and expenses associated with scaling live events, which made continuing operations unsustainable without adequate sponsorship.

Notable Quote:
Melody [04:26]:
"The political climate, with the rollbacks in DEI, the economy, all these things make the perfect storm."

4. DEI Rollbacks and Sponsorship Challenges

The discussion shifts to the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which directly affected their ability to secure sponsorships. Major sponsors withdrew their support, citing budget constraints and shifting priorities, leaving Curlfest to seek alternative funding sources.

Notable Quote:
Melody [09:48]:
"This year we decided it was important to kind of just take a pause, take a beat and restrategize a bit."

5. Community Support and Restructuring Plans

Melody and Troy emphasize the importance of community support beyond purchasing event tickets. They encourage the audience to engage through sponsorships, sharing content, and participating in community initiatives to sustain Curlfest during its restructuring phase.

Notable Quote:
Troy Millings [12:36]:
"Support looks like, you know, bringing us up in rooms that we're not in support."

6. Challenges with Partnerships and Competition

The founders recount losing long-term sponsors, some due to business acquisitions. They also address the emergence of competing beauty festivals, underscoring Curlfest's unique position rooted in authentic community engagement and its profound impact on attendees.

Notable Quote:
Melody [21:10]:
"Authenticity is part of our differentiating factor. And there's no one that can recreate that."

7. State of Black Women's Hair and Business

Melody provides insights into the enduring significance of black women's hair in cultural identity and the thriving beauty industry. She highlights that black women continue to lead in beauty and personal care expenditures, emphasizing the market's resilience and growth.

Notable Quote:
Melody [23:09]:
"Black women spend nine times more than any ethnic group in beauty and personal care. And it's just continuing to move in that direction."

8. Business Model and Future Initiatives

Looking ahead, the co-founders discuss diversifying their revenue streams beyond events. They plan to expand merchandise offerings, develop a membership community, and enhance online initiatives to create sustainable income sources that complement Curlfest.

Notable Quote:
Melody [29:34]:
"We are working on having a membership community and ancillary things like merchandise to support us."

9. Investment and Partnership Challenges

Melody shares their experiences with investor interactions, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining full ownership and confronting biases in valuation. They strive to ensure that any partnerships align with their core values and the mission of Curlfest.

Notable Quote:
Melody [34:27]:
"We still own 100% ownership of our business. But it's a learning curve for us."

10. Logistical Challenges

The conversation touches on the unpredictable nature of outdoor events, including severe weather conditions like hurricanes. Melody recounts a disastrous event in Prospect Park where a hurricane caused significant chaos, underscoring the importance of safety and preparedness in event planning.

Notable Quote:
Melody [38:05]:
"When Curlfest was about to be over, the sky opened up and it was literally a hurricane that came through."

11. Expansion to Other Cities

Curlfest's expansion beyond New York to cities like Atlanta and London is discussed. Melody reflects on the positive reception in Atlanta, labeling it the "hair capital of the world," and expresses enthusiasm for further international growth.

Notable Quote:
Melody [42:11]:
"We always loved, like, it's the birthplace of Curlfest to have at least one Curlfest here. But, yeah, Curlfest on the road for sure."

12. Conclusion and Upcoming Plans for 2026

As the episode wraps up, Melody and Simone promote Curlfest 2026, encouraging listeners to pre-purchase tickets, share the event, and engage with the community. They highlight ongoing community initiatives and reaffirm their commitment to returning stronger.

Notable Quote:
Melody [42:56]:
"We need your support early. Buy a ticket, tell your friends, share that Curlfest is coming back."

Key Takeaways

• Resilience Amid Challenges: Despite setbacks from the pandemic and DEI rollbacks, Curlfest aims to return in 2026 by leveraging community support and diversifying revenue streams.

• Authentic Community Engagement: Curlfest differentiates itself through genuine community connections and a focus on black women's hair and cultural identity.

• Future Strategies: The organization plans to expand its business model beyond events, incorporating merchandise, memberships, and online platforms to ensure sustainability.

• Navigating Partnerships: Maintaining ownership and aligning with like-minded partners remain central to their strategy in facing investment and sponsorship challenges.

Support Curlfest 2026:
Pre-sale tickets are available at curlfest.com. Engage with their community initiatives and stay updated through their Instagram and mailing list.

This summary captures the essence of the "Untold Story of Curl Fest" episode, highlighting the founders' experiences, challenges, and future plans to sustain and grow their influential event in the beauty and cultural landscape.