Black History Month: Conversation Starters for Hair Is a Texture

Feb 16

Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate Black voices, talents, and culture that are woven throughout American history and oftentimes forgotten.

During our 2024 Black History Month celebration, students are exploring the theme Strings and Threads. This year's programming highlights Black artists and musicians whose intergenerational history informs and inspires their art.

We hope that you will continue the conversations started in each session at home, deepening a shared conversation between you.

Lenise Robinson has been a professional stylist since 2008. She is also a mom, a sister, daughter, and a veteran. She launched her multicultural salon Parlour in 2016, specializing in healthy hair care for all textures. Beyond services for clients, Parlour also provides continuing education for professional stylists committed to expanding their knowledge in working with a variety of hair textures. In addition, she is a L’Oreal educator for Mizani, a Cosmetology program board member, and mentor at the Highland Springs Advanced Career Education Center, which offers dual enrollment classes and professional certification programs for Henrico students.

Texture Is a Fabric - Overview

Texture is a Fabric explores the wonders of diverse hair textures. From curly to straight, let's celebrate the uniqueness of each strand, fostering self-expression and confidence as we embark on a journey of beauty and empowerment together.

Ms. Robinson talked to students about texture typing, why many professional stylists don't actually use the term "Black hair," and what challenges come with the qualities associated with all hair (such as porosity, diameter, density, consistency, and of course, texture).

Conversation Starters

I hear that OHMS had its first Black History Month presentation of the year today. What was it about?
What did Ms. Robinson share that you found most interesting?
What was one comment or question from another student that you found interesting?
If you were to teach me something important that Ms. Robinson taught you today, what would it be?
How did this presentation make you feel?

Thank you to the members of the OHMS Black History Month parent committee for the work and thought put into designing a program designed to show students the interwoven artistry and voices of Black culture.
Tonita Aldridge-Williams P '27, Kasey Buckland P '25, Ellie Burke P '25, Portia Chan P '25, Taekia Glass P '24, Shanza Isom P '26, Becky Lakin P '27, Emily Maynard P '27, Rob Nelson P '24, & Jessica Scalin P '27