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What is the story of the Crown that you wear?

“Countless black women would rather attend church naked than hatless. For these women, a church hat, flamboyant as it may be, is no mere fashion accessory; it’s a cherished African-American custom, one observed with boundless passion by black women of various religious denominations. A woman’s hat speaks long before its wearer utters a word. It’s what Deirdre Guion calls “hattitude … there’s a little more strut in your carriage when you wear a nice hat. There’s something special about you.” If a hat says a lot about a person, it says even more about a people — the customs they observe, the symbols they prize, and the fashions they fancy.”

-excerpt from “Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats,” a book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry

Submit a photo of yourself or a loved one in their favorite church hat and up to 500 words about why your Crowns are important to you. Up to six winners will be chosen by sponsors and the RLT staff and get two tickets to opening night of “Crowns” at Raleigh Little Theatre on Friday, August 25, a restaurant gift certificate for $50 and your portrait taken to display in the lobby of the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre during the run of the show.

Deadline to enter is Sunday, July 30 at 11 p.m. Contest is limited to residents of the greater Triangle area of North Carolina. Email submissions to crowns@nullraleighlittletheatre.org.

Special unveiling: There will be a special event featuring the winners and their families on Sunday, August 20. We will unveil the portraits, celebrate with winners and meet some of the cast members and the director.

“Crowns” is a musical by Regina Taylor, based on Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry’s book. Raleigh Little Theatre’s production is directed by Terra Hodge. Image courtesy of Areon Mobasher Photography.

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