To playwright Jocelyn Bioh, the African hair braiders of Harlem are icons. “They’re a large part of the economy of Harlem,” Bioh said of the Manhattan neighborhood. “Those are women-owned businesses, ...

The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio continues its 2025-26 season with its take on the touching, topical play "Jaja's African ...

For many African women, hair is more than just strands; it is a crown of ancestry, resilience and unapologetic beauty. From intricate Bantu knots to free-flowing Fulani braids and natural hair twists, ...

Every few decades the theater needs its “Steel Magnolias.” Before Robert Haring’s beauty-shop dramedy opened in 1987, there was Clare Booth Luce’s 1936 comedy, “The Women,” which also made a beauty ...

From “Barbershop” and “Beauty Shop” to “Shear Madness” and “Steel Magnolias,” hair emporia have served for years as great settings for plays and movies. They’re community staples, home to countless ...

Ghanaian photojournalist and filmmaker Carlos Idun-Tawiah is not a fan of labels. But if he had to pick one for himself, he’d go with “editorial photographer.” The 23-year-old’s fashion photos have ...

It's not often that I get to see plays and it's even more rare that I get to see plays with an entirely Black cast. "Jaja's African Hair Braiding" managed to merge the two worlds for a timely yet ...

The latest natural hair movement is reminiscent of the groundwork of Black voices that came before us. We now live in an age ...

During lockdown, I realised I'd have to face the thick mane of hair I'd grown so used to hiding away. I've realised that wearing my glorious afro exclusively in protective styles is like wrapping a ...

At a time when Black and marginalized groups are under attack, Adiba Nelson drops a children’s book that reinforces Black aesthetics and identity. The Afro-Latina author does this through the eyes of ...

The braided hairstyles many Black women and children wear are popular for their beauty and ease of maintenance. But a consumer watchdog’s laboratory analysis has found that the synthetic hair ...

Tuesday night was a gut punch that left me grateful for live theater. That evening, I had the pleasure of joining the audience at "Jaja's African Hair Braiding," the vibrant comedic play with a big ...