The Tight Curls Project

From childhood hair mishaps to discovering the joy of collecting art, Linda Shropshire has stories to tell—and a wonderful way of telling them! Growing up with a mother who was a hairstylist, Linda witnessed the artistry, care, and community surrounding Black women's hair. As a mother of two daughters, she wanted them to embrace their natural hair without letting it limit their experiences. Linda'...

Natural hair creator, entrepreneur, and former NBA cheerleader Alycea Adams has followed her curiosity into some very different worlds. What connects them is her love of learning, willingness to try new things, and desire to help others. In this episode of The Tight Curls Project, we get an inside look at how Alycea thinks about her many interests and the opportunities she's pursued. From research...

How do you look and feel your best when life is full and you are short on time? Ariane Washington, CPA and founder of AriReady Consulting, knows something about making it work. From studying for the CPA exam while managing a demanding career to becoming a mom and full time entrepreneur, she has learned how to make her hair work for her life and have some fun with it along the way. We talk about wh...

What does it take to find your people, your confidence, and your hair routine when you head off to college? We’re kicking off Season 2 with Jayden Pupoh, a junior at UNC Chapel Hill, student leader, community builder, and natural storyteller. From figuring out her hair in a rural community and at boarding school to finding her place at a large PWI, Jayden shares how she learned to build community,...

Miracle Knot braids are everywhere this summer, but finding clear, non-sponsored information about the protective style isn't so easy. After installing my own Miracle Knots and wearing them for nearly two months, I'm sharing my honest review of what worked, what surprised me, and what I'd do differently so that you can decide if this style is the right choice for you.  Whether you’re tackling the...

Braids are often called protective. But if that’s true, why do some of us notice thinning edges, breakage, or uneven length after take-down?   In this final episode of the Braids Care Series, we unpack what’s really happening when we wear braids. We talk about why growth and retention are not the same thing, how tension and friction affect the hairline, and what can quietly lead to damage over tim...

What does it look like to really know your hair, care for it well, and enjoy it as part of your life? In this episode, I talk with Tiana about self-advocacy, focusing on what you have, and how that mindset can support confidence and ease over time. We also get into her Sisterlocks journey, what surprised her most after starting locs, and how her hair became a signature style that supports how she...

This week I’m joined by Amanda, who brings humor, heart, and her rooted  confidence to the mic. Her hair story is rooted in family, curiosity, and a growing appreciation for how she was created, curls and all. Since her early days admiring the women at the beauty salon to finding inspiration from her favorite 106 & Park artists, she’s always treated hair as a space for creativity and self-expr...

Synthetic braiding hair has been at the center of a lot of headlines this year, and many of them have sparked more fear than facts. This episode cuts through the noise and explains what synthetic hair is actually made of, what recent testing really found and what matters most for real-life wearers and stylists. Polymer chemist and inventor Ashley Davis joins to share what she’s learned from develo...

Between doubleheaders and early mornings, hair was just another task on Amiah Burgess’s list. That changed when she discovered how a new hairstyle can spark confidence and joy. Now a D1 Duke softball player and women’s sports advocate, she has turned hair care into self-expression and fun. In this episode, Amiah shares how community became the game changer for her game-day style and gave her coura...

What happens when your products leave your scalp more irritated than nourished? In this episode Claire is back, and we dive into her most pressing hair challenge: scalp irritation after wash day. Together, we explore what might be behind the problem and how to adjust routines for more comfort and scalp health, all while keeping style intact. If you have ever faced scalp irritation, this episode ma...

What does it look like to treat your hair as a space to play, experiment, and express who you are? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Claire, an award-winning math educator who is now a university instructor and entrepreneur. From fades to purple fauxhawks, Claire is never afraid of a major hairstyle change. Twice she chopped it all off and started fresh, embracing each new look with confi...

Before we dive deeper into the world of tight curls, meet the host who’s bringing it all together!   🎥 In this episode, the spotlight flips to Shadia Oshodi as she’s interviewed by guest host and intern, Amiah Burgess. Shadia shares how a curious kid who loved arts and crafts grew into a bioengineer with a passion for hair care, especially for tightly curled textures. ✈️ From traveling the globe...

Do you ever wear braids or care for a little person who does? Then listen up! This episode kicks off our braids care series with the ultimate guide to keeping your scalp healthy before, during, and after braided styles.     Host, Shadia Oshodi, is breaking down the real science, like and turning it into easy, practical steps you can use right now.   What you’ll learn:   - Why hydration balance and...

What does it look like to redefine standards and lead with authenticity in medicine and in life? 🇰🇪 Born and raised in Kenya, Dr. Chemtai Mungo went from boarding school to UC Berkeley, where she quickly noticed she was one of the few Black women in the room. Instead of conforming to conventional expectations, she chose to wear her natural hair proudly, inviting the world to adapt to her, not the...