Alexandra L Billo - Innovation Rooted in Community Care (Screening of Reclaimed: Beyond the Braid)

 

    Every time I have ever gotten my hair braided, whether it was in the United States or West Africa, my hair extensions have always been synthetic or made out of plastic. Before the screening of Reclaimed Beyond the Braid, I did not know that many African American and African women had experienced extreme itchiness, eczema, traction alopecia, or other forms of permanent hair loss due to the chemicals in synthetic hair. But, Ciara Imani’s brand Rebundle created hair extensions out of banana stems, which are biodegradable and non-toxic. What stuck out to me during the film was some people’s hesitancy towards trying a better product for their overall health and the health of their braiders. Though I can understand being used to one type of product, it made me wonder: what does it take for people to prioritize their health over familiarity? Is it about trust, access, or just the comfort we know?    

    The majority of hair products that people of color use are not owned by people who look like us, and these brands often prioritize profit over safety. With the lack of regulation of chemicals that can be placed into hair products, many communities of color have been affected by the toxic chemicals in everyday products. Most of us are not chemists. We trust that what is on the shelf is safe, even when it is not. Over the summer, I participated in WiSTEM, where I did research on toxic chemicals commonly found in beauty supply store products. Though it mainly covered hair oils, relaxers, leave-in conditioners, and hair lotion, the data I found was alarming; the sheer amount of chemicals in each product and how little transparency there was about their long-term effects. Watching the film made me realize that synthetic hair extensions are just another product in the industry that is built on putting profit over our well-being. Companies are not required to label every chemical or ingredient in their products. But by taking the charge to help her community, Ciara created her own solution. Rebundle is not just about making hair extensions from banana fibers; it is about reclaiming agency over what we put on our bodies and the transparency that mainstream brands do not offer. She believes her brand is a model for how the industry needs to change, not just prioritizing our health but the health of the planet, replacing plastic waste with biodegradable alternatives. 

    Ultimately, what stood out to me is that real change requires not only innovation but a shift in what we value. Health and transparency must come first. Seeing a small brand prioritize people and the planet gave me hope for what is possible. Reclaimed Beyond the Braid left me questioning why these changes are not more widespread, and reminded me that, sometimes, what is familiar is not what is best for us or the planet.

By Alexandra L Billo