Understanding health inequities in America means recognizing the deep impacts of racism on everyday life—including hair.
Monica Henderson’s work on Black hair politics in the United States (U.S.) delves into the experiences of individuals with Afro-textured hair. She examines how White-dominated beauty standards and the policing of Black bodily autonomy impact people with curly and coily hair daily. Her research, grounded in Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and Dimensionality, shows how racism and historical oppression continue to affect Black people today.
Black Hair Politics
Henderson describes Black hair politics as the situations and forces that lead to discrimination, restrictions, and limited freedoms for Black people and their hair in America.
1. Hair is a cherished part of Black identity and personal experience.
2. The unfair treatment of Black hair comes from systems of white supremacy and patriarchy.
3. The lasting trauma of enslavement continues to affect how Black hair is viewed and respected today.
4. Beauty standards that favor white features shape how Black hair is seen in both Black and non-Black communities, with these ideas passed down through generations.
5. Black people experience hair-related racism throughout their lives, adding to ongoing emotional and physical stress.
Hair, Health, & Healing Initiative
Recent policy reforms like the CROWN Act have begun to address hair discrimination in public spaces like workplaces and schools. Yet while this policy represents progress from a civil rights perspective, the public health effects of Black hair politics are often overlooked. Monica’s research identifies three critical dimensions—physical, social-emotional, and socioeconomic—through which Black hair discrimination worsens existing racial health disparities. These include reduced self-esteem, low racial pride, avoiding exercise, limited access to health care, job barriers, school punishment, financial and time burdens, and exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
To truly help Black people thrive, we need more than just civil rights protections. Monica advocates for education, empowerment, inclusion, and protection of Black hair existence in public spaces (e.g., schools, work, sports, healthcare) to improve overall health outcomes.
In response, Monica is currently a co-investigator in a groundbreaking study at Harvard University that evaluates the impact of the CROWN Act. Funded by Unilever/Dove and in collaboration with Dr. Amanda Raffoul and Dr. Bryn Austin, this study explores how the law has affected Americans’ experiences with hair discrimination.
Publications, Presentations, and Talks
Pittsburgh City Paper. (2025, March 19). Local lawmakers have won bipartisan support for a bill prohibiting hair discrimination. (link)
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. (2024, February 19). Hairstories of Black Women. (link)
Abulkareem, N., & Luaces-Dryer, E. (2025, February). The Mental and Physical Health Implications of Hair Discrimination. Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School Senior Thesis, Meridian, ID.
Henderson M.A., Jackson D.A., Ndip-Agbor E. et al. (2024, June). Combatting Race-Based Hair Discrimination: Black and Non-Black U.S. Adults' Awareness and Perception of the CROWN Act. Appearance Matters 10, Bristol, United Kingdom. (link)
Schley, C. (Host), Henderson, M.A. (Guest). (2023, May). PWIs, Deeply Rooted with Dr. Cratissa [Podcast Audio]]. (link)
Henderson, M. (2022) U.S. Black Hair Politics: A Public Health Concern for Black Women and Girls. Masters Essay. University of Pittsburgh. (link)
Henderson, M.A. (2022, June 8) U.S. Black Hair Politics. [Presentation] CHATTER Seminar, Pittsburgh, PA, United States. (link)
Nguenang, D., Henderson, M.A. (2022, February 15) Flex that CROWN: Wearing Your Natural Hair. [Presentation] Linksys, Irvine, CA, United States.
An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural hairstyles, MA Senate Bills S.994, S.1049 and House Bill H.1907 (2021) (link)
Henderson, M.A. (2021, July 28) Black Hair, Politics, & Health: A Focus on Adolescent Girls. [Presentation] UPMC Children’s Hospital Resident Noon Conference Series, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
