One Washington state highschool pupil is celebrating the great thing about Black coils with Google. Kameirah Johnson, a senior at Lakeside Excessive College in North Seattle, is one in all 5 finalists in Google’s 2025-2026 “Doodle for Google” competitors. The annual nationwide artwork contest invitations college students in grades Okay-12 to flex their creativity for an opportunity to have their Google Doodle featured on the web site, in addition to to win a scholarship and a tech package deal for his or her faculty.
Out of the hundreds of submissions from throughout the nation, Johnson’s illustration was chosen to be a finalist by this yr’s judges, NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and 2025 Nationwide Trainer of the Yr, Ashlie Crosson.
“Hair Energy: The Crown that Grows From Us,” that includes three Black women’ curls, coils, and braids spelling out “Google,” was chosen as a finalist. Falling beneath this yr’s theme of “My superpower is…”, Johnson’s “Hair Energy: The Crown that Grows From Us,” celebrates the great thing about textured hair, which she says is her superpower.
“My superpower is my hair and the household historical past it carries. Every texture and elegance holds tradition, care, and survival handed down with out phrases,” she mentioned, reflecting on her artwork, which options three Black women’ curls, coils, and braids spelling out Google. “Mendacity within the grass, our crowns relaxation with out weakening. This kinky hair refuses conformity; it makes us totally different. Formed by our lineage, our hair is undeniably stunning.”
In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Johnson says the three ladies mendacity in a mattress of golden shimmers characterize her mom, her sister, and herself. She found her love for artwork in 2016 when she started sketching. The teenager later expanded her artistry into portray throughout the pandemic, instructing herself with the assistance of YouTube movies. The kid of two pastors, Johnson says her inventive course of is straightforward: “I simply turned on my gospel music, and I do my factor,” she reportedly instructed her mom, Simone Johnson.
“We’re at all times extraordinarily impressed, floored, amazed,” Simone instructed the outlet. “Kameirah’s present is making room for her within the artwork areas, and her work will probably be considered and seen by the lots. And so it’s wonderful. We’re simply overjoyed and thrilled and in awe.”
Already accepted to New York College, Johnson plans to review artwork and economics. And whereas profitable the “Doodle for Google” $ 55,000 scholarship would assist her obtain these objectives, the teenager artist describes her ambitions as “infinite,” expressing hopes of proudly owning her personal artwork gallery, mentoring younger artists of colour, and someday changing into an artist in residence at museums.
“There’s a lot that I need to do with my artwork to impression individuals. There’s a lot philanthropy that I need to do, together with simply leaving my mark on the world and leaving my assertion,” Kameirah shared.
Voting for the “Doodle for Google” finalist ends on April 29, so go solid your vote HERE.
