A Black Lady and Her Braids: An Ode To Black Lady Pleasure

Nothing compares to a Black lady and her braids. From cornrows and field braids to crochet kinds, braids are a foundational a part of the Black lady expertise. They carry tradition, creativity, and self-expression in each plait. We spoke with actor, poet, and creator Jaylene Clark Owens about her new kids’s ebook, A Black Lady and Her Braids, which started as a viral poem. It has since grown into a strong celebration of Black lady pleasure, magnificence, and cultural delight.

Madam J: So good assembly you Jaylene! Are you able to inform us a synopsis of who you’re and your work?

Jaylene Clark Owens: It’s such a pleasure to satisfy you as effectively! I’m an AUDELCO and Barrymore award-winning actress, acclaimed spoken phrase poet, and creator. I’m from Harlem and at present residing within the Larger Philadelphia area. As an actress, I’ve graced the stage, movie, and tv. I play Rosie within the hit WHYY PBS Children present, “Albie’s Elevator,” and have appeared a number of occasions on “Legislation & Order.” My spoken phrase poetry profession spans over twenty years, and options work that has resonated with hundreds. My EP, “A Black Lady and Her Hair,” has over 11 million streams throughout streaming platforms and social media. My viral poem, “A Black Lady and Her Braids,” has been tailored right into a kids’s image ebook printed by Penguin Random Home. 

MJ: Whenever you first created your “A Black Lady and Her Braids” poem, did you anticipate it going viral?

JCO: I definitely wished it to resonate with Black ladies in all places, however I had no concept it might take off the way in which that it did! From the USA to Nigeria to Germany, Black ladies all around the world have linked to “A Black Lady and Her Braids!”

MJ: What was your response to seeing influential voices utilizing your poem?

JCO: I used to be extraordinarily excited to see influential voices utilizing my poem! After I noticed Tia Mowry use my poem, I cried tears of pleasure. After I was in elementary college and the lecturers would ask us to write down about our heroes, I’d at all times write about Tia and Tamera Mowry as a result of I admired their work on “Sister, Sister.” I wished to behave and sing similar to them. “Sister, Sister” nonetheless performs in my home on the day by day, so seeing Tia present like to my work was a really particular, full circle second. Seeing individuals like Tracee Ellis Ross, Kandi Burruss, and Kerry Washington use my poem let me know that my work is actually spreading far and vast, not simply in my interior circle!

MJ: Do you have got any fond recollections as a toddler of getting your hair braided and the way it made you are feeling?

JCO: Completely! My first recollections of getting my hair braided are of my mother cornrowing my hair. These are my fondest recollections due to the love I’ve for my mother. I keep in mind sitting on the ground between her legs with a comb on one aspect, and grease on the opposite. My hair was at all times braided in easy underhand cornrows, generally with colourful barrettes. I keep in mind the primary time I obtained extensions from this braider in Brooklyn, and I fell in love. An particularly fond reminiscence I’ve of getting extensions as a toddler is when my finest good friend, Hollis, and I went to an African Hair Braiding Salon in Harlem and obtained matching field braids, full with the burnt ends that have been the model of the 90s! You actually couldn’t inform us nothin’. I believe that’s why I put that line in “A Black Lady and Her Braids!” “Can’t inform her nothin’ / Please don’t contact it”

MJ: What’s your favourite braided coiffure? Do you like cornrows, knotless braids, crochet, or any sort of braids? 

JCO: I believe my favourite braided coiffure is medium field braids, with the knot at the beginning! Knotless braids are so cute and neat, and they’re actually the braids that impressed “A Black Lady and Her Braids,” however I do love the fullness of basic field braids down my again! I really like how one can model them in so some ways, getting quite a few kinds out of 1 coiffure! Because of social media I’m uncovered to so many various kinds of kinds, so I definitely love experimenting with braided updos, crochet, koroba, and extra!

MJ: What’s one thing you would like you would inform your youthful self about your hair?

JCO: I want I might inform my youthful self that these underhand cornrows are braided from a good looking afro that you must really feel proud to put on. I’d inform her that she will put on her ‘fro in a twist out, a braid out, bantu knots, the chances are infinite! As a toddler, as soon as I felt I outgrew the kinds my mom would do, I felt like I wanted to get a perm and straighten my hair to look lovely. I didn’t even consider the choice of simply carrying my hair out. I want I by no means permed my hair, which brought on a lot harm, however it’s a part of my hair story and journey that introduced me up to now, the place I’m creating artwork that affirms the fantastic thing about our hair!

MJ: Congratulations in your ebook launch for “A Black Lady and Her Braids.” What are you feeling on this second now that this lovely murals has been launched?

JCO: Thanks! I’m feeling joyous, excited, and affirmed! I’ve spent virtually three years with this ebook so it feels so good to lastly have it out on this planet! I’ve been crying pleased tears virtually day by day since its launch as I see individuals responding so positively to the ebook. 

MJ: What message do you hope readers go away with after studying your new ebook? 

JCO: I hope readers go away figuring out that their hair is gorgeous, significant, and worthy of celebration. I need Black ladies to really feel affirmed in who they’re and happy with their braids, whereas all readers stroll away with a deeper understanding of the cultural, historic, and emotional significance of braids. For Black ladies particularly, I need them to know that they need to by no means really feel ashamed of their braids and that their braids ought to be accepted in all places, similar to them!

MJ: Is there any recommendation you can provide to these seeking to write their very own ebook?

JCO: In case you are seeking to write a ebook, research authors who’re writing within the style wherein you have an interest. For instance, if you wish to write kids’s image books, observe different image ebook authors. Take notes on the occasions they attend, the way in which they promote their books, and take any courses that they provide. I realized a lot about how one can market my ebook from finding out what different authors have executed, corresponding to creator, Luvvie Ajayi Jones. 

MJ: The place can we buy your books and ebook tour tickets?

JCO: You should buy my ebook by visiting my web site, JayleneClarkOwens.com, the place you will discover a hyperlink supplying you with a number of choices for buy, corresponding to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Bookshop.org, the place you should purchase from impartial bookstores. You should buy ebook tour tickets by visiting the Upcoming web page on my web site, which lists all my occasions.