by Jeroslyn JoVonn
November 20, 2025
Jessica Martinez has set a brand new Guinness World Report along with her 6-foot Afro.
A New York lady has set a Guinness World Report along with her Afro, which measures 190 centimeters (about 6 toes 3 inches) in circumference.
On Nov. 19, the group named Jessica Martinez the brand new file holder, the New York Occasions reviews. Aevin Dugas set the earlier file of 165 centimeters (about 5 toes 5 inches) in 2010.
Final month, a Guinness adjudicator visited Martinez to measure her hair. “He couldn’t do it alone” and wanted two further individuals to assist, Martinez mentioned. The world file is a serious milestone for Martinez, who stopped utilizing relaxers at age 12 and has spent the previous 20 years rising her Afro.
Working at a prison justice nonprofit, she is aware of firsthand that pure hairstyles aren’t at all times championed.
“It’s not on daily basis that an Afro is well known,” she mentioned.
Whereas legal guidelines just like the Crown Act shield pure hairstyles in workplaces on the state stage, there are nonetheless no federal protections. With latest rollbacks on variety, fairness, and inclusion efforts, it’s clear there’s nonetheless work to be achieved.
“Some individuals nonetheless view the Afro as unkempt,” Martinez mentioned. “Pure hair is a life-style. It’s not a development, and it’s not one thing that must be policed.”
There’s mutual respect between Martinez and Aevin, who posed collectively as Aevin gladly handed on the crown she held for 15 years. In backing Martinez, Aevin highlighted how the brand new titleholder raises consciousness for the pure hair motion and the way each of their types have fun the self-love that comes with carrying pure hair.
”What I hope individuals will suppose once they see [us meet] is that on the finish of the day, I like myself, she loves herself, and we’re each simply attempting to get individuals to like themselves,” Aevin mentioned. “It’s not a contest, it’s actually all love.”
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