Braids, Pride & Power: How Joetta Dugbo’s Independence Day Hairstyle Went Viral and Honored Liberia’s Legacy

In the world of creative expression, few can braid culture, art, and identity into a single vision the way Joetta Dugbo , known widely as Queen Jo, can. A self-taught hairstylist, fashion design graduate, body art visionary, and rising podcaster, Queen Jo wears many crowns. But this past July 26, she added another jewel to her collection with a bold and symbolic hairstyle that went viral across social media in celebration of Liberia’s Independence Day.

Standing three feet tall and two feet wide, the hairstyle wasn't just an eye-catching statement, it was a living monument. Posted to her personal Instagram and Facebook, as well as re-shared by three viral Liberian pages, the look quickly gained momentum and admiration from fans across the diaspora. The design fused creative engineering with deep cultural meaning, symbolizing not just Liberia’s independence, but its historic connection to the United States.

“I wanted to celebrate my country in a way that reflects who I am,” said Queen Jo. “Liberia is bold, beautiful, and rooted in resilience—just like this hairstyle.”

A Self-Taught Hair Artist with a Vision

Queen Jo’s hair journey began in 2019, when she launched her brand @itshehss.hair on Instagram. While she holds a formal degree in fashion design, it was hairstyling that became her most expressive outlet. She mastered the art of braiding and urban hair techniques through self-discipline, trial and error, and relentless passion. What makes her style unique isn’t just the technical precision, but the emotion and storytelling woven into every strand. “I don’t just do hair, I create experiences. I want my clients to feel like art when they leave my chair.” Her signature looks blend bold geometry, cultural references, and modern edge , qualities that make her stand out in both the Liberian and global hair community.

A Hairstyle That Tells a National Story

For Liberia’s Independence Day this year, Queen Jo didn’t just aim to create a hairstyle, she aimed to create a symbol. The towering structure, carefully sculpted and braided with power and precision, echoed the flag of Liberia. For the trained eye, and those familiar with African-American and West African history, the resemblance to the U.S. flag was intentional and profound.

“Liberia is the only African country founded by freed slaves from the United States,” Joetta explained. “That lone star in the Liberian flag? It reflects our roots and our differences , from the 50 stars in the U.S. flag.”

Though she didn’t initially include that symbolism in the Instagram caption, the hairstyle spoke volumes. Viewers noticed the red, white, and blue themes, the lone star emphasis, and the pride stitched into every braid. It was both a personal and political statement—an Afro-diasporic celebration of legacy, freedom, and identity.

Within hours of posting, the hairstyle caught fire online. Supporters flooded her inbox with praise. Others reposted the image, tagging her page, and calling her a visionary. For Queen Jo, the recognition was meaningful, but it’s the message behind the look that mattered most.

As of this article’s publication, Queen Jo’s powerful Independence Day hairstyle post has earned well over 75,000 interactions online across Instagram, Facebook, and various viral Liberian pages. The combination of cultural pride, artistic innovation, and visual impact sparked an outpouring of likes, shares, comments, and reposts from both Liberian and global audiences. The post quickly became a celebration of not just Joetta Dugbo’s creative genius, but a viral reminder of the beauty and depth of Liberian heritage, solidifying her status as a rising cultural icon in the hair and creative arts world.

“It’s about reclaiming our narratives as African women, as artists, and as creators of culture,” she said.

This viral moment has only fueled her fire. With Season Two of her podcast "Queen Cast" on the horizon, Joetta is gearing up to dive deeper into conversations around beauty, culture, and womanhood. Her podcast, which blends real talk with creative guests, mirrors her multidimensional style, it’s bold, unfiltered, and unapologetically her.

Queen Jo is not just a hairstylist. She’s a body art specialist, fashion designer, and media personality who seamlessly merges traditional African aesthetics with modern creativity. Whether she’s styling a look, painting a canvas, or speaking into a mic, her work always echoes one thing: Liberian pride meets global impact.

“Everything I do is for the culture. I want little girls in Monrovia or New York to see my work and know they can do it too.”

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