During my first year in corporate, I was taken aback when my coworker made an off-hand comment. He mentioned that my many different hairstyles would require him to keep a calendar in order to recognize me.
A CROWN research study revealed that Black women’s hair is two-and-a-half times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. And, for many of us, that’s not just a statistic, it’s our reality.
As we celebrate Black History Month, ESSENCE is highlighting five Black women who are breaking glass ceilings and rewriting the narrative in the corporate space. These professionals share how they navigate hair routines, workplace perception, and identity in today’s corporate landscape.
The Blue Print
Black women have always silently balanced (battled) corporate perceptions of their natural hair. In the early 80s and 90s, there were no protections like the CROWN act to guard against workplace discrimination for young professionals like Patricia Wilson. Advancing in your career meant assimilating to euro centric standards.
“Before we had to really assimilate to our [white] counterparts, wearing natural styles to work wasn’t even an option” says Patricia Wilson, five-time Daytime Emmy nominee and Executive Vice President/Executive Producer at Allen Media Group. “So now, from the Emmy Awards to team meetings, I’ve worn many different natural styles and I do it purposely.”
As a leading force in courtroom television, the courtroom television veteran is now in a position to set the tone in a work environment, and she aims to create one that embraces natural hair.
“In the past, we [Black Women] did what we had to do in order to do what we wanted,” Wilson shares. “Now I’m able to say this is how I’m wearing my hair, and I want every young woman around me to embrace their natural beauty and hair.”
Patricia Wilson’s Tip on Embracing Natural Hair Color: Wilson decided to stop coloring her hair due to its health concerns and began embracing her natural, silver curls.
The New Executives on Letting The Work Speak For Itself
Today, Black women are rocking boho braids, sisterlocks, fluffy twists and countless other natural styles in corporate spaces. They refuse to allow others’ perceptions dictate how they show up to work. Assimilation is not an option for this new generation of executives, proving corporate hair also includes our natural textures.
“Our hair should not determine our competence or ability to do our jobs,” shares KeAnna Jackson, Director, Communications at US Networks. “I really want to encourage people to stay focused on your work, but also express yourself through your personality, the clothes you wear, and your hair. Do not let anyone make you feel like you have to shrink yourself.”
A hairstyle should never be a reason why you’re not considered or promoted. These executives are focusing on the work itself and letting it speak for itself.
“There will always be something for someone to talk about, because even our existence can be controversial, your hair should not be one of them ” explains Alexis Johnson, Head of Social Impact and PR for Beats by Dre. “Wear the styles you want, wear what makes you comfortable, wear what feels right for you, and don’t let your surroundings dictate how you see yourself.”
KeAnna Jackson’s Corporate Hair Routine: Jackson is going back to the basics by cutting out high tension hairstyles in exchange for consistent trims and a natural silk press.
Alexis Johnson’s Go-To Hairstyle: Johnson doesn’t reserve her braids just for summer vacation, she rocks her sleek knotless braids anytime of the year.
Next Gen’s Rising Leaders Rewrite The Script
Although studies show that two-thirds of Black women reported that they changed their hair for a job interview, next gen rising stars are leaving that in the past. They are wearing their natural hair in the early stages of the hiring process and showing up authentically themselves.
“Recently, I was asked “Do you really wear your natural hair to interviews?” And I said, “Yes. What else am I going to do?” says Kaelyn Lowe, Site Communications Lead at Pfizer. “Even if you start with braids or a sew-in, at some point people are going to see your natural hair. Maybe your stylist cancels. Maybe you change your style. Eventually, they are going to see the real you.”
Changing her hair in exchange for acceptance was not an option for Visual Production Coordinator Noelle Allen. She unapologetically embraces who she is in all corporate settings.
“I grew up in an environment where wearing my hair naturally was always seen as culturally acceptable and I want to continue to go through life exactly as I am,” says Allen. “I think that [my hair] is how I show my highest level of creativity. It’s the way I present myself to the world and nobody can control that but me.”
Kaelyn Lowe’s Go To Product: Lowe swears by Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse for a bouncy crunchless curl.
Noelle Allen’s Perfect Work Hairstyle: Allen says wearing twists has cut down half of her time when getting ready. She says it’s the perfect style for a natural on the go.