A note from St. Clair Detrick-Jules, author and photographer of My Beautiful Black Hair

It was my little sister Khloe who inspired me to conduct these interviews, take these photos, and create this book, My Beautiful Black Hair. I was determined to break that cycle for Khloe. And not just for my little sister, but for all sisters of the Black diaspora.

I turned to my sisters—Black women I had grown up with, gone to college with, met through friends, and admired from afar—and they rose to the occasion. I hope Khloe sees herself reflected in them. I hope she comes away from it with greater insight into who she is, where she comes from, and where she fits into the diaspora. My hope is the same for every Black woman who comes across this book who remembers being in Khloe’s shoes.

It’s not just about hair. It’s about how we choose to live our lives. If we take the words of wisdom that these women are offering Khloe into our own lives, then we feel—and become—indestructible.