Own Your True: Celebrating Black History Month

This Black History Month, we continue to honor the 2025 theme, “African Americans and Labor,” by celebrating the resilience, creativity, and transformative power of work throughout history. Each contribution is a testament to the strength of owning your true self and purpose. Together, we carry this legacy forward, celebrating individuality and the collective strength of a community that continues to inspire the world.

ARROGANT TAE

Tell us about yourself. What do you want the True Fam to know?

I’m Arrogant Tae—a celebrity hairstylist, fashion enthusiast, son, brother, and friend. My work is rooted in helping people feel their absolute best, whether it’s through creating iconic hairstyles for some of your favorite celebrities (like Nicki Minaj, Kylie Jenner, La La Anthony, and DreamDoll, to name a few) or curating unforgettable fashion moments. I’ve built my career on innovation, authenticity, and a relentless drive to push boundaries in beauty and style. My journey from Chicago to Atlanta, and now New York, has been fueled by passion, hustle, and a commitment to excellence. I’m here to inspire, transform, and leave a lasting impact on the industry and the people I slay.

What does “Own Your True” mean to you, and how does it show up in your life or work?

“Own Your True” means embracing your authenticity and living in alignment with your purpose. For me, it’s about showing up as my most genuine self and delivering my best in every moment. As a celebrity hairstylist, my role is to bring my clients’ visions to life, helping them feel confident and ready for moments they’ll cherish forever. I believe in staying true to my craft, my vision, and my values. It’s in those authentic moments—when I’m fully aligned with my purpose—that I’ve created some of my most iconic work. The results speak for themselves.

How has your identity influenced your personal style or approach to fashion?

My personal style is a reflection of my identity—innovative, bold, and exploratory. I’ve never been afraid to experiment, whether it was rocking neon green hair or embracing oversized, statement-making looks. Fashion, for me, is about self-expression and pushing boundaries. Lately, I’ve been drawn to bold, oversized silhouettes that feel both nostalgic and modern. It’s a reminder that style is timeless, and I’m here to make a statement. As I always say, “You either go big or go home,” and I wear my TRUE baggy.

Who are the Black leaders, past or present, who have inspired your journey, especially in the workplace? Did you have any mentors that have helped you get to where you are?

There are so many iconic black leaders, but as someone in hair space I have to pay homage to Miss Madam C.J. Walker. She should really be an inspiration to us all. She revolutionized the hair industry, became a self-made millionaire, and used her success to uplift others—her legacy is one of excellence and empowerment. In my own life, I’ve been blessed with guidance from my elders, especially my mother,siblings, my friends and clients who have always supported me and helped shape the person I am today. Their wisdom and encouragement have been foundational to my journey.

How do you use your platform or work to honor Black heritage and amplify voices?

I honor Black heritage every day by living my purpose and using my platform to uplift others. I am my ancestors’ wildest dream, and I carry that responsibility with pride. Through my work, I collaborate with Black-owned brands, support small businesses, and dedicate time to causes that enrich our community. I also share my expertise through tutorials and masterclasses, helping others perfect their craft and grow their own businesses. It’s my way of giving back and ensuring that Black voices continue to be heard and celebrated.

What advice would you give to young Black professionals trying to break into a similar field?

My advice is to invest in your skill set and learn from the best in the industry. Take classes, practice relentlessly, and use every tool at your disposal to refine your craft. Start small—style friends and family, build a portfolio, and set achievable goals. Collaboration is key, so surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can elevate your journey. Most importantly, stay true to yourself and your vision. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with dedication and authenticity, you can achieve greatness.

Can you share a moment when you felt most connected to or proud of your heritage?

One of my proudest moments was styling my entire family for a shoot—my mother, grandmother, sisters, everyone. I did their hair and outfits, and seeing multiple generations of my family come together like that was incredibly powerful. It was a reminder of where we come from and the strength of our lineage. Another moment that fills me with pride is watching my friends achieve their own successes. Seeing us all grow together, knowing the challenges we’ve overcome, makes me deeply connected to our collective journey and proud of our heritage. We are our ancestors' wildest dream come true.

How do you stay inspired and motivated to push boundaries in your work or community?

I stay inspired by living my purpose every day. Knowing that the looks I create could create a moment, spark the next trend or redefine beauty standards keeps me motivated. I’m a lifelong student of fashion, style, and life itself, always seeking new ways to innovate and elevate my craft. Mentorship also fuels me—hosting private classes, sharing my knowledge, and giving back to my community donating my time, efforts and contributions. It’s about creating a legacy that goes beyond the chair and enriches the lives of others.

Ericka Coulter

Ericka J. Coulter is the Founder of TheBasement Series and Senior Vice President of A&R at Warner Records. Ericka is one of those instrumental people who connects instantly, a visionary who can turn ideas into reality and prioritizes being a voice and advocate for artist discovery and development. Coulter is more than just an A&R in the building, she is a curator for the LA community and an ear to emerging artists on the rise, which is her “Why” for creating the performance platform TheBasement Series–a music showcase focused on highlighting emerging artists, where music executives and tastemakers can network, vibe, and discover talent.

What does “Own Your True” mean to you, and how does it show up in your life or Work?

Music has always played a major role in my life, growing up in Kansas City, Kansas and singing in the church is where I discovered my love for music. Fast forward to now being a creative and curator in music, I pride myself for hearing that inner voice, never giving up. and turning my passion into my purpose. A true definition of Own Your True.

How has your identity influenced your personal style or approach to fashion?

I always said if my career path wasn’t in music, I would live in Paris and do something in fashion. My degree is actually in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. It’s always been a core part of my identity. You have to feel good to be creative and a lot of that plays a part in my style. I love walking in a room and people say “Ericka did not come to play today, you look great.” To me that sets the tone, to not play with me and know I mean business.

What does celebrating Black History Month mean to you personally and Professionally?

I think it’s so important to not only know about Black History, but also knowledge and celebrate Black History. Especially during a time where everything is moving so fast and we’re quick to forget where things actually started. As a black woman in entertainment, you sometimes lose sight as to how rare you are and who came before you. What their journey was like, how they made it, and why you can’t give up. So on days that may seem a little hard, I remind myself of who came before me. The opportunity and door they opened and now it’s my turn to do the same. We have to continue the story and celebrate the history.

What advice would you give to young Black professionals trying to break into a similar field?

If you don’t see a seat at the table, then create one. Your super power is who you are outside of the building, not who you are in the building. So continue to remind yourself of who you are, why you’re doing it and don’t you dare give up.

How do you stay inspired and motivated to push boundaries in your work or community?

I think coming from the Midwest I’ve always considered myself the underdog. So I’m drawn to those that people haven’t necessarily discovered yet. When creating records in the studio, it’s an amazing feeling when you get to hear the best version of an artist come to life. It inspires me and reminds me of why I go so hard. It’s the small reminders that keep me going, when an artist performs at TheBasement and the feedback is “I had no idea they were this good or omg who is that”. Those are the moments that keep me motivated and a realization that I created something that’s bigger than me.

We’re celebrating Black History Month and amplifying Black voices all month long.