September 6th 2023.
Black people have long understood the unique importance of their hair. It is a reflection of their identity, a representation of their journey, and a vital part of their Blackness. Unfortunately, this essential haircare need is being ignored in many places - from Hollywood movie sets to fashion runways.
In Maine, this problem is particularly stark. With 12.4% of the population being Black, access to essential haircare and styling services is all but obsolete. Chris Markwood, the University of Maine Men’s Basketball Head Coach, knows this all too well. When reaching out to potential recruits, he must bring up the issue of haircare access very early in the process.
“People are wondering, ‘Am I going to be able to find a barber in this area?’” Marwood said.
The responsibility of helping Maine’s Black population present their best selves to the world often falls on the shoulders of a select few hair professionals. Angela Okafur is one such stylist who caters to Black hair needs. She has gone above and beyond for her clients, even working on her days off.
“A lady reached out to me, and she was like her son was going for a very serious procedure, and she was like all he asked of was to get his hair done,” she said. “I had to do the hair on a day I don’t work.”
Jake Stanley and Jordan Guy, two non-Black barbers, have also gone out of their way to build trust with their Black clients. They understand the struggles that come with haircare access.
“I think it’s a shame,” Guy said. “I’m not going to say that areas of Maine are stuck in kind of old habits or old school habits, but I do think there needs to be a willingness to adapt and kind of draw more people to those areas, and I don’t think it’s necessarily a priority.”
Stanley adds that the one barber school in the state only offers verbal lessons on how to cut Black hair properly, which he believes affects the versatility of the professionals in the area.
Though haircare may seem like an unessential need, Okafur believes that the lack of access to basic necessities will cause the Black population in Maine to dwindle.
“If you’re not able to get what you need to feel good about yourself or for your children to feel good about themselves, chances are they’re gonna start looking at alternatives,” Okafur said. “So this is very crucial and important. Not just for community building but also to, you know, retaining people here, which is what we really need in this area.”
It is clear that Black haircare, and haircare in general, is an essential need. It is not only a sign of self-love and confidence, but also a way of retaining the Black population in Maine. We need more people to recognize this issue and take action to make sure everyone has access to the haircare they need.
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