At the recent 2024 Tony Awards, Dede Ayite became the first Black woman to win the Tony for Best Costume Design of a Play. She was honored for her exceptional work on the now-defunct show “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” which depicted the vivacious spirit and struggles of a Harlem salon run by West African immigrant hair braiders.
“Jaja’s African Hair Plaiting” opened in October 2023 and, in spite of its short run, left an enduring contact with its strong story and extraordinary visual show. The play, written by Ghanaian-American Jocelyn Bioh, tells the story of a Harlem salon where the craft of hair interlacing became an image of character and flexibility in the midst of the vulnerabilities faced by the community.
The Tony Awards, on which the play was also nominated for five awards, were a memorable evening that included Ayite’s victory. In her acknowledgment speech, Ayite, who was also nominated in the same category for her work on “Appropriate” and for Best Costume Design of a Musical for “Hell’s Kitchen,” expressed deep gratitude.
She expressed gratitude to her collaborators and family, including her brother, who supported her from Ghana. Ayite also paid tribute to Bioh, “who wrote such a beautiful piece,” as well as the various costume shops and manufacturers, stating that “without them I would not be here and the show would not look as amazing as it does.”
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Ayite referred to her win as “huge” when she discussed it with the media.
“People like me that are just starting out and aren’t sure and are fearful and just don’t know what it’s going to take, and you don’t know how to find that step to take you forward, so I’m just hopeful that this moment says, ‘Just keep at it.’ You know, tell the stories that matter to you, tell the story that you find value in, and the moment will meet you. That’s what’s happening for me right now.”
Ayite said her achievement was a collective victory, saying,
“It’s not just about me, but we did it: the community that supports me, the community of people that love me each day and cheer me on. For me, I just feel like it’s not just about me right now. It’s the community. It’s that we have done it together.” She represents the many Africans striving for achievement in the diaspora.
Many people continue to be inspired by the historic win that Dede Ayite achieved at the 2024 Tony Awards.
