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Trailblazers in Conversation with Shelia, Sylvia, & Melissa Burlock

This Women’s History Month, join County Librarian Skye Patrick for a conversation with natural hair advocates Shelia, Sylvia, & Melissa Burlock, as they discuss the history of Black hair and the role it plays in women’s lives.

Did you know that in more than half of US states, it’s still legal to discriminate against someone for how their hair grows out of the head? Using their own hair stories as a guide, Shelia, Sylvia, and Melissa’s work explores the cultural, spiritual, and historical importance of Black hair and styling. Together with Skye, they’ll be examining the cultural pressures to wear one’s hair a specific way, what it means to push back against those expectations, and how to help your hair—and confidence—thrive in its natural state.

Shelia Burlock and her daughters Sylvia Burlock and Melissa Burlock are a writing trio from Indianapolis devoted to bolstering self-esteem and hair health in Black women and girls through celebrating the history and dignity of Afro-textured hair. Between them, they have curated a natural hair course tutorial, developed an organic product line, and written on the topic of natural hair in outlets like Salon.com and NaturallyCurly. My Divine Natural Hair: Inspiration and Tips to Love and Care for Your Crown (Broadleaf Books, March 2024) is their debut book.

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