Hair Tales, the new OWN six-part docuseries hailing from the minds of noted documentarian and executive producer Michaela Angela Davis, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, and everyone’s best friend in their head Tracee Ellis Ross who produces and hosts the series, tells the beautifully complicated relationship Black women have with our hair through a historical, political, and sisterly context.
Each episode uses the story of a famous Black woman we’ve all come to love and adore as a conduit to discuss the larger cultural context in which our relationship with our hair exists. xoNecole has compiled a list of our favorite moments from the series packed with standout moments.
“Our strength, our beauty, our power is in our crowns … but we are not those things also” — Tracee Ellis Ross
In the episode centered around Representative Ayana Pressley, she speaks about the painful decision to cut off all her hair after suffering from alopecia totalis, which caused her hair to come out in clumps. However, Rep. Pressley’s journey of losing her hair liberated her, so much so that after wearing a wig on the house floor once, she decided from then on to show her head in all its glory.
“What I admired about women who changed up their hair a lot is that they were free” – Dr. Tiffany Gill
Our favorite Awkward Black Girl Issa Rae talks to Tracee about the decision to cut off all her hair over a decade ago. Her journey with her hair would intertwine with her personal and professional journey as she launched her hit web series with the premiere episode showing her character shaving off her hair. “I was born — I was reborn — in a new way,” she said. Looking at her hair throughout the years, you can track the evolution of Rae as a person by the varying hairstyles, as she has admitted in an interview that she started experimenting with her hair more as she learned more about it.
“If we can legislate hurt and harm, then we can legislate healing and justice” — Ayanna Pressley
The Crown Act, a bill co-sponsored by Pressley, seeks to end hair discrimination against Black people in schools and in the workplace. The bill, which is currently sitting in the Senate, if passed would be a bold step forward in combating toxic ideals about who or what is or isn’t considered to be professional. That not only could natural hair be beautiful, but it could also exist in the workplace and classrooms.
“I live in God’s dream for me” — Oprah Winfrey
The executive producer of Hair Tales Oprah Winfrey speaks about her own relationship with her hair, which dates back to her childhood. She was taught that straight long hair was what was considered to be the pinnacle of beauty. The award-winning host even recalled a moment early in her career when her boss insisted she straightened her hair, even going as far as to recommend plastic surgery in order to assimilate to white beauty standards.
Feature image by LaylaBird/ Getty Images
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'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Everybody wants generational wealth, but are we really talking about what it takes to keep it? In this special series of Making Cents, filmed at A Weekend for Love, four power couples are pulling back the curtain on the real work behind financial freedom—because, let’s be real, to achieve the soft life, you gotta put some work in first.
Each couple has a different story about how they became financially independent, but it wasn't without its challenges. From being in debt to breaking bad money habits, see how each couple made it to the sunny side of financial freedom.
Dr. Alduan Tart & Mecca Tart: Love, Legacy & Financial Freedom
Dr. Alduan Tart & Mecca Tart know that money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about mindset, strategy, and teamwork. Because it's not about how you can build generational wealth, but rather how can you become financially free. In this episode, they’re breaking down their seven-figure game plan for couples looking to secure the bag together. From smart money management and debt-free living to spiritual guidance and the power of a wealthy network, they show that financial success starts at home.
Ben & Marie Ward: Debt-Free & Thriving
Nine years of marriage taught Ben & Marie Ward that financial freedom is the ultimate flex. They tackled debt head-on, invested wisely, and built a future they once thought was impossible. And guess what? That car you’re still making payments on? It’s not an asset until the title has your name on it. The Wards knew this all too well—so they eliminated car payments, decluttered their home, and turned financial discipline into wealth-building power.
Lee & Martika Jenkins: From Crisis To Comeback
When the 2008 financial crisis hit, Lee & Martika Jenkins lost 70% of their net worth overnight. It wiped out their savings and slashed their credit score in half. But instead of crumbling, they got strategic. In this episode, they share how they rebuilt their wealth from the ground up, avoided debt, and created multiple income streams—all while keeping their marriage strong.
Sherry & Markiel Singley: Lessons They Wish They Knew Sooner
For years, Sherry & Markiel Singley were just trying to make ends meet—until they realized that financial literacy was the missing piece. Markiel grew up hearing, “Don’t worry ‘bout them bills,” until that mindset left him $12K in debt over a car that wasn’t even running. In this episode, they get real about shifting their financial habits, rebuilding their credit, and creating stability for their family.
Catch all the gems in the Making Cents series.
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