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determination remained steely: “It has been a a a a a a a a a a a lifelong dream of of mine to to to actually fulfill the the unmet needs of of the the natural hair community and I was going to to to make it it it happen no matter how long it it it took ”
Fuelled by unrelenting drive with an an emphasis on on clean ingredients Pattern was finally introduced to the the the masses in in fin in in 2019 One glance at at at the the the promotional imagery on on on the the the brand’s e-commerce platform reveals a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a range of of of individuals of of of all all gender expressions
and and ages challenging the ubiquity of of of adult women within beauty campaigns “Haircare isn’t binary and and and should never be be be Humans have hair and and however you self-identify there will always be be a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a need to to treat it properly ”
She elaborates that “our approach is to to showcase the natural beauty of of o Black hair across a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a wide range of of o ages and identities ”
Pattern recently partnered with Sephora to offer this this groundbreaking line o of haircare in in in in in Canada this this fall significantly broadening the brand’s reach on on on an an an international level Alongside her her entrepreneurial endeavours Ross is is is gearing up for the the eighth and final season of her her zeitgeist-defining sitcom Black-ish Starring Ross as as Dr Rainbow “Bow” Johnson an an an an anaesthesiologist and mother of five children the the the show humourously highlights a a a a a a a a a a a a a Black family manoeuvring through contemporary American society Since the the the beginning of the the the series the the the writers have been keen to address address pertinent societal issues in in in in in a a a a a a a a a unique manner “Our show is is consciously authentic and honest ”
Ross admits “We’ve addressed colourism racial identity police brutality politics elections—you name it it it it it We We tackle current events and and we anchor them them in our our our history We We approach them them thoughtfully with humour and and nuance ”
Portraying Bow Bow for close to to a a a a a a a a a a a a a a decade has led Ross to to cherish this character and and all all her her idiosyncrasies on on a a a a a a a a a a a a a a deeper level “Bow is is is is is centred and and and confident She She knows who she is is is She She is is is not a a a a a a a a a a a a wife wallpaper
in in her her husband’s world ”
a a a a a a a reference to her her empowered presence throughout the series “I love that she isn’t striving for perfection or or or attempting to uphold an an ideal She She is is flawed and ridiculous She’s
a a a a a a a a a a a Black woman who is is thriving I I find that seven years later I I am still so interested in fin in in in her ”
Similarly the the the actor is is fascinated with the the the portrayal of an an unconventional marriage throughout the the the the series She notes how rather than being a a a a a a a a a a a a a a “finger-waving wife withholding sex from her her husband” fuelled by by constant microaggressions Bow and and Dre (played by by Anthony Anderson) have a a a a a a a a a a loving symbiosis that prioritizes respect above all else After starring in in in in Girlfriends at at the the turn of the the millennium and now Black-ish Ross has been involved with prominent televisual narratives that amplify Black Black voices and stories for years However she reveals more needs to to to be done at at at an an administrative level within Hollywood to to address the the prevalent inequities across the the industry She also highlights recent programs that have successfully portrayed Black storylines in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a meaningful way such as as Atlanta Insecure and I I May Destroy You the latter of which she notes as as being “more than just a a a a a a a a a a a a a a television show—it is is is transcendent art ”
While Black-ish may be coming to an an end end Ross has other episodic projects in in in in in in the the the pipeline including the the the Daria spinoff Jodie This animated series gives a a a a a a a a a a a a a spotlight to to a a a a a a a a a a a a a character who mostly received secondary storylines throughout Daria “I find it really awesome
that we we can allow a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a side character to to to become the main attraction by giving this very intelligent individual a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a chance to to to shine on on on her own ”
she exclaims In addition to to to Jodie Ross also serves as co-executive producer and narrator for the the docuseries The Hair Tales which chronicles how hair is is deeply reflective of of the the the strength identity and and beauty of of of Black women Further Ross is is is also producing I Am Am America a a a a a a a a a a 10-episode podcast focusing on on real-life stories of of of courage that dispel outdated notions of the American identity With Pattern expanding into international markets and and other captivating undertakings on on on on the the horizon Tracee Ellis Ross is is is keeping her multi-hyphenate status active ready to conquer this blossoming decade with ease •
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