Coiled

1. The History of Afro Hair

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Episode notes

‘How did our African ancestors look after their hair? I’m sure they didn’t use 5 products!’ Black hair is a lens that we can use to discuss culture, race, identity and history, and in this first episode of Coiled, join host Leanne Alie as she starts her transitioning journey from chemically straightened back to natural and explores the evolution of attitudes towards Black hair throughout history.

To start this journey she speaks to Dr Kadian Pow to explore the history of Afro hair, how attitudes to Black hair changed with colonialism and how these attitudes still present themselves in our society today. She also speaks to world renowned, award winning hairdresser Derrek Clements who talks about the changing trends and attitudes towards Black hair from the 1970s to the present day, as well as speaking to her childhood friends to discuss how their school experiences influenced their attitudes towards their hair today.

If you do anything after listening to this podcast, make sure you share this with a younger, sister, brother, cousin or friend so that we can empower the next generation to fully embrace their natural Black hair because all hair is good hair.

Hosted and Produced by Leanne Alie

Twitter: @leannealie

Instagram: @leannealie_

Assistant Produced by Sylvie Carlos

Twitter: @sylvie_frizzy

Instagram: @frizzandgo

The theme music and closing music was composed by Ony Iroha

All other music was sourced from Uppbeat.io