To playwright Jocelyn Bioh, the African hair braiders of Harlem are icons. “They’re a large part of the economy of Harlem,” Bioh said of the Manhattan neighborhood. “Those are women-owned businesses, ...

Braiding is a convenient and stylish choice for moms. The African hair is versatile and can be braided into flamboyant styles. However, a mom might not have a lot of time on her hands. This is a ...

Jordan Rice had never been a customer at an African hair braiding shop in New York. But when she read Jocelyn Bioh’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” she saw her friends, her family and even herself in ...

Jaja’s realistically encapsulates one day’s worth of work in a Harlem-based braid shop. Clients of all backgrounds come in asking for different styles: everything from sew-ins to micro braids. And if ...

Nestled throughout Black neighborhoods, African braiding salons have served as the go-to spot for protective styles. Whether you’re getting traditional box braids or the latest popular bohemian locs, ...

Lakisha May, seated with hand mirror, and Nana Mensah, looking into wall mirror, in “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” at the Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. (Matthew Murphy) Review ...

The competitive “crab in the barrel” mentality of the hair-braiders vying for customers and the animosity that ensued were clearly conveyed by the hair-braiders Bea (Valerie Thames) and Ndidi (Sarah ...

For many African women, hair is more than just strands; it is a crown of ancestry, resilience and unapologetic beauty. From intricate Bantu knots to free-flowing Fulani braids and natural hair twists, ...

Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” is the product of “30-plus years of stories that I have lived in my brain.” Here’s the story behind the stories: “I’m a ...

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — African braids remain a powerful staple within the Black community deeply rooted in tradition, identity and resilience. In honor of Black History Month, I took a closer ...