Story:
This is a photo of my dad hot combing my hair in the kitchen in 1997. Raised alongside three sisters, he had the steadiest hand in the house when it came to the hot comb. Over time, he took charge of my hair care, making sure I never missed a salon appointment every two weeks.

This image captures more than a routine—it holds the tenderness of a father-daughter bond. It also marks the moment when beauty ideals began to take root, shaped not only by the world around me but by the quiet, intentional care of a Black man. It speaks to the often-overlooked influence of fathers, uncles, brothers—Black men—on how we as Black women come to understand beauty.

This memory became a point of departure in my ongoing research into the history and culture of Black hair—beyond the salon chairs and kitchen sinks, beyond what we’re taught growing up. My art allows me to tell those stories, weaving the personal and political, the past and the present.

Our hair has always been, and continues to be, a primary identifier—deeply tied to our identity both individually and collectively. Through my work, I explore how those strands carry memory, pride, resilience, and resistance.

Submitted by: DeJeonge Reese

Connect: @dejeonge