The sleek, shiny, bouncy hair seen on advertisements is a look that many Black and brown people with textured hair try to achieve, in part to keep up with society’s beauty standards. But it leads to complex hair journeys and a challenge: how to maintain a sense of pride, since the way they choose to wear their hair is more than just a hairstyle.
This week on Real Talk with Denver7 and CPR News, three people share their journeys and discuss legislation that aims to change what society deems to be “professional-looking” hair. The Colorado Crown Act bans employers and schools from discriminating based on hair texture, type or styles like braids, locs and twists – styles associated with a particular race.
Manushkka Sainvil, founder of Chubby Curls hair products, explains why she created a hair care line for textured hair; Vicki Howard, owner of Vicious Tresses Beauty Salon in Denver describes how her clients’ desire for natural hairstyles have progressed over the years; and Lance Grace, a local mental health therapist who wears locs, tells his personal loc journey and how he supports the women in his life when it comes to their hair.
Real Talk airs on CPR News and KRCC on Fridays at 3:30 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The TV show airs on Denver7 on Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. It also airs on Local3 on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
