White teacher told teen African dress was ‘tacky’ for prom

Makalaya Zanders' Ankara dress went viral

SLAYING: High school student Makalaya Zanders and her prom date Charles Jackson

A HIGH school student in America who was told by a white teacher that wearing an African-inspired dress to prom would be “tacky”, has gone viral for her stunning outfit.

Teenager Makalaya Zanders wore a custom-made, african-inspired gown to prom last week.

Zanders, who attended Garfield Heights High School’s prom with her date Charles Jackson, stunned in Ankara printed dress, which was designed by DeAndré Crenshaw.

On Instagram, the teenager explained that when she told a white teacher that she was going to rock an African-inspired dress, they told her its wasn’t really “something to wear to prom.”

She wrote: “Thank you to everyone who gave me kind words on my prom dress. My date doesn’t have social media so he’s kinda nonchalant lol. The dress came after seeing the beautiful @jessnnecee wearing one similar to a ball.

STUNNING: The teenager wanted to prove her teacher wrong

“After discussing how beautiful it was and that I would do a African theme with a (Caucasian) teacher I was told it wasn’t really ‘something you wear to prom/tacky for prom’. Hellbent on proving them wrong and being someone who loves our culture and African glamorous style, me and @indelible_dc decided to take the Ankara dress and put a twist on it. Little did I know it came out more beautiful, then I could’ve ever imagine!! My dress was to make a point. That African style is beautiful. That I am comfortable with my Melanin and roots. And finally that there’s nothing like Black girl Magic❤️.”

The Ohio teen’s dress – which featured a removable futuristic belt – earned praise on Twitter from her peers.

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