Natural Hair Is Not Unprofessional: I Rocked A 'Fro To Work To Fight The Stigma
Picture day at work can be an exciting time: not only are you becoming an official part of the team and their brand, but it is also another excuse to buy new clothes. The most exciting part, for me at least, is to be able to update my LinkedIn profile. All that being said, unfortunately, picture day can also invoke a lot of unnecessary anxiety for me and not because I am camera shy--just check my Instagram. I get anxiety because, while I think my natural hair is awesome, many others still think that it is…different. To people outside of our community, natural is hair is is not professional.
Never mind that I have a stellar work ethic, or that I contribute to student success daily at the number one public university in the world. Those things seem to not matter once people see my natural hair, because all of a sudden both my hair and I are identified as "unprofessional".
The anxiety I experience does not only come up during picture day, it comes up as I am preparing for interviews as well. I generally love interviewing and feel quite confident that when I am in an interview, I am absolutely flourishing! Instead, my anxiety manifests itself as I am trying to figure out how to professionally style my hair. Forget the fact that women worry about what to wear; I am amongst the group of Black women and girls who have been told that unless your hair is straight, it is not professional thus it is undesirable.
Hence, a large portion of my interview prep consists of me staring in a mirror trying to style my hair in the least distracting way so that my interviewer does not have a chance to focus on the stereotypical images of Black people that may have been consumed through the media.
This is what renowned social psychologist Dr. Claude Steele refers to as “stereotype threat". Stereotype threat refers to “a situational predicament in which people are or feel themselves to be at risk of conforming to stereotypes about their social group" (Steele, 2010). This directly correlates to the feeling of constantly wondering if and what stories are being projected onto me simply because of my locs -- something I highly doubt my non-Black colleagues have to worry about.
Who determines professionalism?
What ideals are informing notions of professionalism that essentially tell Black women, like myself, that because we choose to embrace our authentic selves, we are suddenly not "professional"? Naturally, I did what every millennial does when we have a question, I googled “unprofessional hair". (I invite you all to do the same.) The mostly Black faces that populated my screen did not surprise me. Essentially, my search affirmed the discomfort and anxiety I felt all along. Black women in general, but especially Black women who have natural hair, do not fit into this idea of professionalism.
So does this mean our hair is good enough to warrant stares, or worse, petting, but not good enough for the office?
For many companies who are attempting to address ongoing concerns of inclusion, it is crucial to unpack the term professionalism and how people of color and gender nonconforming people fit into that paradigm. This DOES NOT mean you are lowering your standards, nor does it mean that you should not continue to ask and expect your employees to conduct themselves in appropriate behavior and adhere to things like dress codes. It DOES mean that within those expectations, you are leaving room for people like myself to feel like we can show up wearing our natural hair and not be judged or assumed less competent because of it.
Inclusion is no doubt a buzzword these days, but it is my hope that this piece offers critical and concrete experiences to consider, which can and should inform efforts towards making workplaces more inclusive. People do their best work when they are allowed to be their authentic selves; therefore, companies must be committed to creating work cultures that encourages this. So, the next time someone comes into your office with their natural threads, rather than stare blankly, provide a compliment or say nothing at all and continue to work. That is ok!
As for my professional headshot, I finally gathered the courage, silenced the imposter syndrome, and rocked my natural threads.
Even as colleagues whispered microagressions like “is that how she is taking your picture?" I remained confident as I made my way to the photographer. Not only for my professional headshot, but everyday! To the many people of color who navigate professional workspaces as the only one, there is the added pressure to conform. Certainly this was my experience as a Black Woman, and it was absolutely taxing on my body and spirit.
Pretending to be someone and something I was not for eight hours a day, seven days a week was exhausting. I finally made the conscious decision to say “no" and to be faithful to saying “yes" to being my authentic self and being unapologetic about it. Contrary to popular belief, you can be an incredible educator, doctor, lawyer, or engineer, and rock your natural hair at the same time!
What do you think about wearing natural hair in the workplace? Share with us below!
Bie Aweh is Equity & Inclusion Strategist for HbcutoStartup and Co Founder of Beloved Black. Learn more about Bie on Twitter or Linkedin
Have a story you want to share? Send submissions to editor@xonecole.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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We all love that Beyoncé's recent foray into country music has turned the world's attention back to the impact of Black legends and icons who were foremothers of the genre. All of the buzz around the superstar's take on country music (along with the fab TikToks of Black women getting their country glam on to prep for a possible country music tour), brings to the forefront stories of the amazing impact of women like Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Elizabeth Cotton, and Linda Martell. These women laid the groundwork for folk, country, and rock music way before any of us reached our mother's wombs.
I've loved country music since childhood and would rock, sway, and sing along to songs by The Neville Brothers, Patsy Cline, and Elvis. (Yep, I loved me some Elvis, honey. It was an admiration I inherited from my mom.). Back in the day, my friends and I would all enjoy the country music songs played at a popular hangout spot, the local skating rink. The DJ would go from 69 Boys, Brandy, and Usher to Billy Ray Cyrus ("Achy Breaky Heart), Dolly Parton ("9-to-5" and "I Will Always Love You,") and Shania Twain ("Man! I Feel Like A Woman.") Country music has always been part of my life's soundtrack.
Since it's Women's History Month, what a perfect time to highlight some of the other Black women who have been standing it the gap for years, doing this country music thing, and doing it well. Here are a few to add to your playlists this month and beyond.
The Boykin Sisters AKA The BoykinZ
Sisters Nylan, Nytere, Anale, and Alona took the country music world by storm on TikTok, drawing more than 480,000 followers and 10 million likes for their soulful country music swag. They've performed with Shania Twain on the Country Music Awards, appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and have recorded with legendary country music producer Nathan Chapman. Each brings their own unique flavor to the group, from style to music abilities.
Rissi Palmer
She released her self-titled debut album with hit singles, “Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air,” and has since performed at The White House, New York's Lincoln Center, and the Grand Ole Opry. She’s also shared stages with country and pop music heavy-hitters including The Eagles, Charley Crockett, and Taylor Swift. Taking things to the advocacy level, she launched her own radio show Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer on Apple Music Country and created the Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund to support newbie country artists of color to reach their entertainment industry dreams.
C Brandon / Contributor/Getty Images
Yola
A U.K.-bred country music artist, this singer and actress was nominated for multiple Grammys for her 2019 debut album, Walk Through Fire, including Best Americana Album. Her 2021 album, Stand For Myself, mixes country and soul with intriguing and relatable visuals. She also magnificently starred as Rosetta Thorpe in the 2023 Elvis biopic, a film whose soundtrack was an American Music Award winner.
Mickey Guyton
A modern-day pioneer in her own right, Mickey Guyton was the first Black woman to be nominated in the Best Country Solo Performance category at the Grammy Awards in 2021, and, that same year, she became the first Black woman to co-host the Academy of Country Music Awards. Her song, “Black Like Me,” released in the wake of the George Floyd protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, added more to her legacy of being a leader and advocate in country music.
Brittney Spencer
This newbie artist in the game has given us strong previews of her talent, releasing two EPs and receiving Country Music Awards and Country Music Television award nominations. Elektra signed her to a deal in 2022, and this year, she released her debut album, My Stupid Life, which has been described by one Rolling Stone reviewer as “one of the most convincing country statements in a while.”
Reyna Roberts
The self-proclaimed "Princess of Outlaw Country," is serving soul, sass, and style with her music, with a debut album titled, Bad Girl Bible, Volume 1, sparking intrigue and fan support. Her more than 300,000 followers on IG rally behind her, as she campaigns for big-ticket performances that we are sure, will be in her future.
Chapel Heart
Sisters Danica and Devynn Hart have joined musical forces with cousin Trea Swindle as a country music trio, and found early viral success performing on “America’s Got Talent.” In 2021 the group was inducted into Country Music Television’s “Next Women of Country,” and they’ve been honored as “International Group of the Year” as well as “International Song of the Year” for the single “You Can Have Him Jolene” in Scotland. They have been nominated for several British CMAs including “Group of the Year” and “Album of the Year” for their second album release The Girls Are Back In Town.
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Featured image by Emma McIntyre / Staff/Getty Images