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Hair is never just hair—it’s history, artistry, and identity woven together. Inspired by the upcoming production of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, March 5–22, 2026), this forum invites you into a conversation about the cultural, economic, and social significance of African hair braiding and the stories braided into every strand.
African hair braiding is more than a beauty practice; it is a tradition deeply rooted in Black communities, symbolizing heritage, creativity, and belonging. In Columbus, braiding salons—often owned and operated by Black women—are more than businesses. They are spaces of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange, where clients and stylists alike find connection and community.
The discussion will also explore immigrant narratives, reflecting themes from Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a play that portrays the lives of West African women working in a Harlem salon while navigating complex immigration statuses, personal dreams, and the bonds that sustain them. These stories resonate locally, offering a lens into the resilience and contributions of immigrant communities in our city.
Join local salon owners, cultural leaders, and voices from the production for a dynamic conversation about beauty, business, and belonging—where creative expression meets identity and community. Together, we’ll examine how these spaces shape social cohesion and celebrate the artistry that connects us all.
Featuring Representative Juanita Brent, Ohio State House District 18; Sarai Brooks, Braid Artist, Author, and Owner of Haven 626 by RaiStyles; J. Averi Frost, Executive Director, Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Treva B. Lindsey, Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University, with moderator Lachandra B. Baker, Founder and Lead Consultant, Lachandra B. Baker Edutainment, LLC.
If you would like to dive more deeply into this topic, our friends at the Columbus Metropolitan Library suggest checking out Twisted: the Tangled History of Black Hair Culture, by Emma Dabiri, 2020.
Photography Photographs by: Ian Alexander Photography
