Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend Culture Con 2022 in New York. I can say with confidence it was one of the best conferences I’ve been to because of the culturally relevant conversations, radical brave spaces, and creative expression of the attendees, specifically their hair. I have always had a special relationship with my hair and the profession of cosmetology. I have been fascinated by how Black hair has transcended culture, creativity, and expression. While at Culture Con I had a row seat on how beautiful Black hair can be expressed, manipulated, and presented. 

During the conference, I had the pleasure of attending a conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross, CEO, and Founder of Pattern, a Black hair care product company. While on stage she spoke about “The Hair Tales” a docuseries about Black hair and the journeys Black women go through involving their hair. As an avid documentary lover, I could barely contain myself with excitement. Tracee spoke to “Finding the joy and celebration in who we are and using hair as a metaphor for our humanity.”  I was thrilled the topic was being discussed because for so long this story has not been highlighted, and now Black women are leading the narrative and having a discussion about the intricately complex relationships of Black hair. Executive producers, Oprah Winfrey, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Michaela Angela Davis truly captured the nuanced realities, radical transparency, and liberating elixir that is rooted in the stories of Black women and their hair. I hope “The Hair Tales” inspires more Black women to foster, nurture and protect the relationship of their hair and the legacy and history that it holds. 

“It’s the way you wear your identity, It’s the way you wear your history, 

It’s the way you wear your culture, It’s the way you wear you your legacy” 

                                              -Tracee Ellis Ross 

-Kimberly Heard