TWO THINGS STOOD OUT. FIRST, IT’S INTERESTING THAT BEING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WITH FEWER PEOPLE WHO LOOKED LIKE YOU MADE YOU FEEL YOUR HAIR WAS MORE ACCEPTED. CAN YOU ELABORATE?

When I was younger, negative feedback in my community may have come from my hair being a point of difference, maybe seeming like I thought I was better. At university, most people had straight hair, so curls became attractive. The dynamic shifted, often, women of color straighten their hair while others curl theirs. 

I had a similar experience. When you’re already “other,” there’s no mold to fit, which can be freeing. You’re not scrutinized the same way.

SECOND, YOU WORK IN MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS. HOW HAVE CHANGES IN MEDIA OVER THE PAST DECADE INFLUENCED YOU PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?

There are two perspectives: my professional role and my media consumption. Professionally, I backtracked when I entered the workforce. As a young professional wanting to be taken seriously, I straightened my hair. It was about assimilation, not standing out, looking like those in power to gain respect. As I’ve advanced, built trust, and gained experience, I’ve become more determined to wear my hair curly in professional settings. It’s transitioned from not wanting attention to, “Better see me, I’m here to tell you how to succeed.” 

My curls make me memorable. As a consumer, seeing more people in media with curls, braids, afros, and locs is valuable and confidence-building. It’s also inspiring as a mother, my kids see this representation as normal. They’re on their own hair journeys, navigating how classmates react, and seeing diverse styles celebrated helps.

IT CHANGED A LOT FOR ME, TOO. I USED TO RELAX MY HAIR. NOW, SEEING IT NORMALIZED, AND WEARING BRAIDS FOR EASE, HAS BEEN EMPOWERING. LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN’S HAIR JOURNEYS. HAVING ALL BEEN THROUGH HAIR TRAUMA, HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR HAIR NOW, AND HOW ARE YOU GENTLER WITH YOUR KIDS?

I keep my routine simple. When my hair is straight, I avoid heat, put it in a top bun at night, and often wear a ponytail or half-up style. I lay my edges and use a silk scarf.
When it’s curly, I wash it weekly, usually on Sundays. I go to Inheritance in Montreal for the whole family. I use Lush products, a shea butter cream and a spray, followed by gel. At night, I pineapple it and use a scarf. My son has 4C hair with major shrinkage, it’s very long but thirsty. We moisturize it almost daily. He gets a lot of comments, and people often touch his hair without asking. My daughter wears passion twists. 

She doesn’t love her natural curls yet, and twists make mornings easier. We wash weekly, and every few weeks, I take the twists down, let her hair breathe, and redo them. I’ll refresh any loose twists weekly.

ARE YOU TEACHING HER TO DO HER HAIR?

Not yet! My sister recently told me, “Don’t let Aiden be the girl who doesn’t know how to braid.” I should teach her, it would save time. Right now, she can do a loose braid, but that’s it.

THAT’S A GOOD POINT! FOR EXAMPLE, IN WEST AFRICA, WHERE I’M FROM,  EVERYBODY GETS THEIR HAIR DONE AND JUST RELAXES. SOMETHING IMPORTANT I WANT TO TOUCH UPON: YOU MENTIONED PEOPLE TOUCHING YOUR SON’S HAIR WITHOUT ASKING. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT BOUNDARY TO YOUR KIDS?

People don’t ask, they just do. My son doesn’t seem to mind; boys are more physically rough-and-tumble anyway. My daughter dislikes it. When she wore cornrows with beads or shells to school, she told me, “I’d like to stop wearing braids because people touch me more.” That was our first conversation about bodily autonomy. I told her, “Your hair is part of you, like your arm or leg. No one is allowed to touch you without permission. You can say no.” She’s in third grade now and more tolerant, but I still reinforce that she has the right to say, “Don’t touch me.” I think bodily autonomy is a good approach. 

The political and historical context, slavery, colonization, power dynamics, can come later. It’s about power, no matter the specific history.

HOW HAS YOUR HAIR EXPERIENCE IN CANADA DIFFERED FROM IN THE U.S.?

It was not too different, since I’ve managed my own hair since fourth grade. The biggest challenge was finding new products. I had to trial and error all over again. A product I loved in the U.S. isn’t readily available here. Finding Inheritance (natural hair salon) was the biggest shift. I learned my curls could be healthier and look better with a curl-specific cut. They shaped my hair, gave me bangs, and when it’s big, it’s full and gorgeous. I also use their products now. In the U.S., my curls were just wild. 

Here, they became more sophisticated, intentionally styled because of the cut. So, no major difference except finding a place where my hair was understood.

WE LOVE TO HEAR THAT! TALKING ABOUT OFFICIAL STRUCTURES FOR HAIR CARE, YOU KNOW A BIT ABOUT SWAYED. DO YOU THINK A PLATFORM LIKE IT CAN IMPACT THE AFRO HAIR LANDSCAPE IN CANADA?                                                                                                                                 Yes, through accessibility and knowledge! There still aren’t many resources specific to us. It’s hard to find products or know where to go. A resource that provides that information makes you feel less alone and seen. It says, “Someone understands my challenges and is offering a solution.”

HOST ; One of SWAYED’s core values is community. I started it feeling alone with my hair, so I’m glad that comes across. Thank you so much for your time, Arron.