This Insta-friendly exhibit celebrates the beauty and sisterhood of Black hair

The Black Hair Experience is a celebration — a chance to revel in the ever-expanding community and rituals formed around Black hair. When arriving at the former Forever 21 space housing the pop-up at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, I was greeted by the manager, Eryn, who donned one of the signature “Black Hair Been Poppin’” shirts, and proceeded to give a friendly rundown of the rules, asking that guests treat the exhibit like “grandma’s house.” The energy was laid-back and warm, with a mix of ’90s and early 2000s classics and present-day bangers — tracks from Jazmine Sullivan’s acclaimed “Heaux Tales” album and Wizkid and Tem’s hit song “Essence” flowed through the space as visitors captured moments in installations: laughter in the 360 photo booth, an encouraging “yesss, girl!” as a friend group took turns posing in a set plastered with the women of Black Hollywood fronting magazine covers, a woman taking pics in a living room installation with framed sitcom families and excitedly noticing the OG Aunt Viv in the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” photo. Baldwin Hills area is my roots so I was like, I’ve gotta be a part of this,” said Farrin Bailey, a Baldwin Hills native and Black Hair Experience team member who grew up immersed in Black hair culture, thanks to her mother, who worked as a hair stylist. “Our chakras are the energy centers of our bodies so the beads were symbolic in attracting alignment and ascension to my life.” As Black mothers who are keenly aware of the centuries-long systemic and interpersonal discrimination around Black hair, it was important for Brooks and Austin-Davis to create a space where Black women and Black girls could see themselves reflected with love, Brooks said. So we put all together.” San Diego native Ania Boyd said her decision to visit the Black Hair Experience was all about supporting fellow Black women.