Laid to the Side: Disrupting the Silence of Black Girls' Hair Stories in Schools

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About the book:

Laid to the Side is a landmark collection of hair stories exploring the meaning of hair and Black women's identity development within the context of schools. Through these poignant stories, readers are invited to understand and appreciate the profound significance of hair in educational settings, and to consider how these insights can inform the creation of more inclusive and empowering educational experiences. This book not only illuminates the critical role of educators and caregivers in recognizing and celebrating the importance of hair in the empowerment of Black girls--it also serves as a guide to designing educational opportunities that honor and are informed by the unique hair narratives of Black girls and women. "Laid to the Side" is an essential read for anyone committed to fostering an educational environment where every aspect of identity is a source of strength and empowerment.

About the Contributors:

Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka is an Ivy League and HBCU-educated clinical psychologist, natural hairstylist, educator, and research scientist. Dr. Afiya is the founder of “PsychoHairapy,” which uses hair as an entry point for mental health services in beauty salons and barbershops. She is also the principal investigator of the PsychoHairapy Research Lab, and she has published over twenty journal articles, ten book chapters, and two books. Dr. Afiya has testified nationally on behalf of the CROWN Act, an anti-discrimination law to protect Black hair, for which she has been identified as a subject matter expert by the Senate and House of Representatives.

Dr. Danielle Apugo is a proud Louisiana native who professionally engages the world as a multi-talented educator and writer. Dr. Apugo co-wrote and executive produced the short film “Policing Joy” (2022), a research-based documentary about Black women and girls’ encounters with hair bias in schools. Danielle’s scholarly contributions explore critical themes throughout black women’s K-12 to College educational experience. Laid to the Side is her second book centering the educational journeys of Black women.

Dr. Iyelli Ichile is a Professor of African, African American and African Diaspora History and Director of the African American Studies Institute at Prince George’s Community College. She has a PhD in African Diaspora History from Howard University, and a Master’s in African American Studies from Columbia University. Her most important education, however, took place in her mother’s home. Her work examines the ways in which culture, art, aesthetics, relationship-building and spirituality inform Black liberation. She supports political and cultural work in our community in as many ways as she can, and she is the mother of a more amazing daughter than she prayed for.