6 Natural-Hair Stories That Ruled in 2016

There were so many stories about natural hair this year that we’ve had to shrink them into subcategories just to make sure that most of them got a mention. And yes, they were all over the map, but the takeaway was a great one, according to natural hair guru Nikki Walton. “This year was a mixed bag for natural-hair news — some amazingly positive stories, some that stunk of years past — but all in all I believe that one thing’s for sure: Natural hair is no trend — it’s here to stay,” Walton tells Yahoo Beauty. “Women have embraced their texture and they’re boldly and confidently rocking it in all situations. It’s absolutely the new normal. The world will eventually catch up.” Below, the year in review.

Models set an example

While the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris was likely the star here — as more natural hairstyles than ever reigned on the runway, thrilling models like Maria Borges and Herieth Paul — it was not the only forum in which models highlighted the new normal. South Sudanese model Duckie Thot, a former contestant on Australia’s Next Top Model, wrote an honest Instagram post about dealing with natural hair in the fashion industry, which resonated deeply. And when Marc Jacobs made the naive misstep of sending his white models down the runway in faux dreadlocks, he was called out mightily until he apologized.

Celebs spoke out

Famous folks continued to wear their natural hair with pride this year, including Amandla Stenberg, who wowed fans by gracing the cover of Teen Vogue with her crowning glory in full effect. The 17-year-old also spoke out about cultural appropriation and her personal journey away from hair straightening. Solange made a beautiful statement with her curls on SNL — as did Beyoncé with her Lemonade braids, Olympic fencer Nzingha Prescod with her game-changing curls, and little North West with her highly tweeted ’fro.

Parents fought back

Kids were in the forefront when it came to natural-hair freedom this year — and parents were major cheerleaders, including, most recently, a dad who stood up for his mixed-race daughter’s cornrows. Moms raised hell at schools that caused problems, including Marian Reed of Texas, where she got an apology from the administration, and Attica Scott of Kentucky, who successfully fought to have a “racist” hair policy changed. Fierce parent and student protestors worked to get a similar policy changed at a girls’ school in South Africa, making international headlines.

Everyday people got props

Not only did viral hits reflect people’s excitement over natural hair this year — including the beautiful ’fros of Nakyia Whitty’s bridal party and the beloved series of flowers in Afros created by Dazhané Leah — but hair braiders in Iowa got more freedom with a much-needed law change, and one woman brought issues of natural-hair judgment to the attention of Hillary Clinton herself.

The truth got attention

There were, of course, some ugly stories to report — a woman being fired from her job because of her natural hair and a man being told to cut his braids or else not get hired — but they got attention in the press, which could be seen as hopeful. Plus, there was positive pushback, including from Shea Moisture, which ran a beautifully inclusive campaign, as well as a cringe-worthy moment turned around by stylist Deepica Mutyala, who decided to educate herself about black women’s hair instead of hide from her error.

This doll

And finally, in a category all her own: the release of My Natural Doll, from Congolese hairstylist Mushiya Tshikuka, the host of WEtv reality show Cutting It In the ATL. “In a world where the dolls we play with and the role models we see shape our perception of beauty and our self-confidence,” the website notes, “it is important that our little girls are constantly exposed to a reflection of themselves — beautiful dark skin and kinky hair like that which grows out of their own head.”

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