Hairvolution: Her Hair, Her Story, Our History
Edited by Saskia Calliste and Zainab Raghdo

With a foreword by Stella Dadzie

Illustrations by Aleea Rae

With poems by Kadija Sesay

In this anthology about Black women’s hair and beauty, some of the world’s most inspiring Black women share their attitudes and struggles with their crowning glory. Kinky, wavy, straight, or curly, this book celebrates Black women’s natural beauty, however they choose to style their hair.

With an overview of the politics and history of Black women’s hair, the book explores how Black hairstyles have played a part in the fight for social justice and the promotion of Black culture. It challenges outdated notions of beauty, gender, and sexuality for young women and girls everywhere.

The power is in our hair. And we’ve come to tell the world what ours can do!

This anthology also includes over 30 interviews with women of color about their hair and beauty journeys, including:

• Annika Allen – co-founder Black Magic Awards and podcaster, UK
• Eva Anek – design and fashion, UK
• Anita Asante – fashion and design, USA
• Caroline Blackburn – former athlete and sports injury therapist, UK
• Doreene Blackstock – actor, UK
• Dawn Butler – Member of Parliament, UK
• Anastasia Chikezie – award-winning Afro hair entrepreneur, UK
• Stella Dadzie – writer and activist, UK
• Sokari Douglas Camp – artist, Nigeria/UK
• Stephanie Douglas Oly – retired Olympian sprinter, UK
• Deitra Farr – blues, soul, and gospel singer-songwriter, USA
• Rachel Fleming Campbell – litigation attorney, USA
• Ruthie Foster – singer-songwriter of blues and folk music, USA
• Kadija George Sesay – writer and curator, UK/Sierra Leone
• Jamelia – singer-songwriter, broadcaster, and author, UK
• Judith Jacob – actor, radio presenter, and fitness instructor, UK
• Bakita Kasadha – health writer and poet, UK
• Angie Le Mar – comedian, presenter, and producer, UK
• Francine Mukwaya – human rights campaigner, Democratic Republic of Congo/UK
• Jessica Okoro – IT program manager and STEM advocate, UK
• Anita Okunde – climate activist and member of Youth Parliament, UK
• Stella Oni – writer, UK/Nigeria
• Chi Onwurah – Member of Parliament, UK
• Olusola Oyeleye – award-winning writer, director, and producer, UK
• Shade Pratt – footballer and designer, USA
• Rianna Raymond-Williams – sexual health advisor and social entrepreneur, UK
• Djamila Ribeiro – feminist philosopher, Brazil
• Vivienne Rochester – actor, UK
• Cleo Sylvestre – actor, singer, writer, UK
• Carryl Thomas – actor, UK
• Jael Umerah-Makelemi – illustrator and graphic designer, UK