There's something sacred about Black hair.
It's not just strands growing from our scalps — it's history, culture, resistance, and celebration woven together. Our hair tells stories. About where we come from. About what we've survived. About who we are.
This Black History Month, we wanted to take a moment to honor that legacy. To trace the journey from ancient African civilizations to the natural hair movement of today. To acknowledge the pain of the past while celebrating the beauty of the present.
Because understanding where we've been helps us appreciate where we are — and where we're going.
THE ROOTS: HAIR IN AFRICAN HISTORY
Long before colonization, hair held deep significance across the African continent. It was never "just hair."
In many African societies, hairstyles communicated everything: age, marital status, religion, wealth, rank, and ethnic identity. The intricate braiding patterns passed down through generations weren't just beautiful — they were a language.
Hair grooming was a communal practice. It was a time for bonding, storytelling, and passing down traditions. The person who styled your hair was trusted — often family or a respected community member.
This was our inheritance. Hair as identity. Hair as community. Hair as art.
THE RUPTURE: ERASURE AND ASSIMILATION
The transatlantic slave trade didn't just steal people — it attempted to steal identity. Enslaved Africans had their heads shaved upon capture, stripping away the cultural significance their hair held.
In America, the erasure continued. European beauty standards became the measure of acceptability. "Good hair" meant hair that was straighter, looser, closer to whiteness. Textured hair was labeled difficult, unruly, unprofessional.
For generations, Black people — especially Black women — were taught to alter their natural texture to fit in, get jobs, be taken seriously. Chemical relaxers, hot combs, and constant manipulation became the norm. The message was clear: your natural hair is not enough.
But even in the face of this pressure, resistance bloomed.
THE RESISTANCE: NATURAL HAIR AS PROTEST
The 1960s and 70s brought the Black Power movement — and with it, the Afro. Wearing natural hair became a political statement. A rejection of assimilation. A declaration that Black is beautiful.
Angela Davis. Kathleen Cleaver. The Jackson 5. Afros became symbols of pride and resistance, challenging the dominant narrative about what was considered beautiful or acceptable.
But the fight wasn't over. Discrimination continued — in workplaces, schools, and everyday life. It would take decades more for society to even begin to change.
THE RENAISSANCE: THE NATURAL HAIR MOVEMENT
The 2000s and 2010s brought a new wave: the natural hair movement. Fueled by social media, YouTube tutorials, and online communities, Black women began embracing their texture in unprecedented numbers.
For the first time, we had access to information about our hair — from people who actually understood it. We learned about curl patterns, porosity, moisture, and ingredients. We realized our hair wasn't hard to manage — we just hadn't been given the right tools.
Brands emerged that actually catered to textured hair. The conversation shifted from "fixing" to "understanding." And while there's still work to be done (the CROWN Act only passed in 2019, and still isn't law everywhere), the momentum is undeniable.
We are in the middle of a reclamation.
THE INHAIRITANCE: WHAT WE CARRY FORWARD
At Inhairitance, our name is intentional. We believe that loving your textured hair is an inheritance — passed down from the generations who wore their crowns before us.
It's your grandmother's hands parting your hair on Sunday mornings. It's the secret family recipes for hair growth. It's the pride in your mother's eyes when she sees you wearing your natural texture with confidence.
We're not here to tell you how to wear your hair. We're here to help you understand it, care for it, and celebrate it — however you choose to show up.
Because your texture was never the problem. And the more of us who know that, the more the world will have to accept it.
This Black History Month,
We're honoring the full journey. The beauty. The pain. The resistance. The joy.
We're grateful for the women who came before us — who wore their hair proudly even when it cost them. Who passed down techniques and traditions and love.
And we're committed to continuing that legacy. To creating products that actually work for textured hair. To building a community where every curl, coil, and kink is celebrated.
Your hair is your crown. Wear it proudly.
— The Inhairitance Family
