Black hair & antiracism

Chontudas and Mataepelos is an interdisciplinary study on the political economy of Black hair entrepreneurship in Colombia.

Afrodiasporic social movements have long mobilised Black hair politics as part of their antiracist bodily contestation practices, placing Black hair entrepreneurship at the intersection of politics, economics and culture.

By applying a qualitative participatory research design through interviews, focus groups with Black hair entrepreneurs and activists, as well as ethnography at Afro-centred cultural events, this research seeks to unpack how Black hair entrepreneurs in the beauty sector demand economic justice as a pivotal element of their antiracist strategies amid the tensions imposed by capitalism, racism and sexism.

In addition, we have forged partnerships with a filmmaker, grassroots organisations and leaders to promote a transformational impact. The research team has embarked on a trip to six cities in the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific to film a transmedia documentary spotlighting the hair stories behind Black entrepreneurs, including braiders/hairdressers (peinadoras), barbers, Black hair-care business owners, and social leaders from the natural hair movement.