Hair Story in the Headlines + Making History

Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America is part of this special collection in the Obama Presidential Library!

Twenty five years ago, I wrote a book about the history, politics and economics of Black hair. That book, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America, made me an official Hairstorian, and continues to impact my life in ways I never could have imagined.

Two weeks ago, I gave a talk in Barcelona, in Spanish, about the power of Black Hair to transcend borders. There were women in the room from multiple countries who spoke multiple languages, but we all spoke the same language of hair. It was incredible.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled against a man who was handcuffed and held down in prison while his dreadlocks where shaved off. Yesterday, I was asked to comment about the case and the continued discrimination against Black hair in America on NPR's Press Play with Madeleine Brand.

And last night, I discovered to my great amazement, that not only is Hair Story included in the new Obama Presidential Library collection, it is part of the President's Reading Room collection!

The President's Reading Room Collection is made up of: " the books that shaped [President Obama’s and Michele Obama's] lives, tracing President Obama's journey as a writer, thinker, and dedicated public servant."

I am gobsmacked and grateful for this little book that could. I can’t wait to see where it will take me next. (Real talk, my dream is that the book will finally get translated into Spanish, French and Portuguese so more people can learn this history.”) Stay tuned!