Tammy Ehimwenma-Point Du Jour, a student at Meharry Medical College, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Dontal Johnson recently joined Lurie Daniel Favors, host of The Lurie Daniel Favors Show on SiriusXM Urban View, for an important conversation about Black women’s hair health, beauty experiences, and the urgent need for research and data collection in this space.
Meharry Medical College is one of the black colleges supported by the Black College Fund which provides financial support to maintain solid, challenging academic programs; strong faculties; and well-equipped facilities.
During the 15-minute segment, Dr. Johnson and Ehimwenma discussed the need for greater education around hair health in Black households and the cultural norms that often go unexamined.
Ehimwenma shared the origin of her research, which began with a candid conversation with her study co-author, Adeola Animasahun.
“It started when we were younger. We’re both Nigerian, and I’ve been getting box braids since I was about seven, if not younger,” she recalled. “That’s when I first noticed my hair thinning. I asked Adeola, ‘Do you think if our parents knew we could lose hair from these styles, they would’ve still done them?’ That’s when we said, ‘Let’s do a study on this.’”
Research focuses on hair loss
Their research focuses on two specific types of hair loss: traction alopecia and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), both of which disproportionately affect Black women and often begin in childhood.
“We want to better understand how parents are styling their children’s hair,” Ehimwenma said. “There is evidence that the symptoms of these conditions start early. We’re asking the Black community: Do you know what alopecia is? And if so, do you think our hairstyling practices might contribute to it?”
Dr. Johnson, a pediatrician and father of four Black daughters, emphasized how this research aligns with what he sees in his clinical practice.
“These hair issues often lead to depression and low self-esteem,” he said. “I’m so proud of Tammy and Adeola for recognizing this gap in research, especially when it comes to actually listening to patients’ experiences and tracing where these problems begin. Their work is helping us get closer to solutions.”
Also joining the discussion was Erin H. Maybin, a writer, cosmetologist, and Natural Hair Advisor. She stressed the critical importance of this kind of community-based research.
“We don’t just need data about retail sales or the billion-dollar beauty industry,” said Maybin. “We need data about how a lack of education around hair health is impacting our communities, physically, emotionally, and culturally.”
To participate in the study, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BlackHairHealth
To watch the full interview, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr9RlNCZ_tk
Written by: Brandon Marshall, Communications Director School of Medicine
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Black College Fund provides financial support to maintain solid, challenging academic programs; strong faculties; and well-equipped facilities at 11 United Methodist-related historically black colleges and universities. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Black College Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
