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Writer &
Beauty Culture Expert

AYANA BYRD is an author, journalist and screenwriter. She is the author of the award winning social history book Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America and Naked: Black Women Bare All About Their Hair, Skin, Hips, Lips and Other Parts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Essence, Elle, Fast Company and other publications. Ayana has appeared in numerous documentaries and panels to discuss beauty culture and the representation of Black women in popular culture.

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PROFILE

I’m Ayana Byrd

In third grade, minutes after learning what a “journalist” was at Career Day, I inexplicably declared that I would become one. And then, years later, in 1995, I graduated from Barnard College and got my first job at Vibe magazine. Today, I’m an author, journalist, screenwriter, and expert on the intersection of race and hair culture.

my work

Bookshelf

Work
with Me

Writer

Ayana is a 25-year veteran in the editorial space and author of four books.

Speaker

Ayana has given talks on the intersection of race, capitalism and beauty culture on film, college campuses and in international destinations.

Consultant

From book development to script feedback, Ayana creates and refines content across genres.

Watch Me Work

The Story Behind Billie Holiday’s Iconic Gardenia Hair

The Story Behind Billie Holiday’s Iconic Gardenia Hair

VOGUE
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COVID-19 Made It Impossible to Ignore Racial Disparities in Health Care. Here's What's Needed for Equity

COVID-19 Made It Impossible to Ignore Racial Disparities in Health Care. Here's What's Needed for Equity

HEALTH.COM
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Portrait of the Artists

Portrait of the Artists

O MAGAZINE
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When Black Hair is Against the Rules

When Black Hair is Against the Rules

THE NEW YORK TIMES
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How Braids Tell America's Black Hair History

How Braids Tell America's Black Hair History

ELLE
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Are you a 4C?

Are you a 4C?

THE STOOP (PODCAST)
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6 Black Feminists Speak Out About the Cosby Sexual Assault Conviction

6 Black Feminists Speak Out About the Cosby Sexual Assault Conviction

COLORLINES
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