Black Hair & Belonging: Overview
Sport and recreation can be powerful spaces for identity development, community, and joy, yet Black girls in Canada often face unique barriers to participation, belonging, and inclusion. The Black Hair & Belonging project sought to better understand these realities by centering the voices and experiences of Black girls themselves.
Grounded in Black feminist thought, the project recognized that Black hair is more than appearance. Tt is deeply connected to identity, culture, family, community, and self-expression. Through this lens, the research introduced the concept of hairstories, personal narratives that illuminate the complex intersections of hair, identity, exclusion, joy, and resistance in sport and recreation spaces.
Research Approach
Ten self-identified Black girls aged 14–19 from across Canada participated in multiple interviews and an autophotography activity, where they documented and reflected on their experiences with hair in sport and recreation through photographs and visual storytelling. Using critical narrative and arts-based methods, the project explored how participants navigated identity, belonging, and participation through their relationships with their hair.
Key Themes
The research highlighted three interconnected narratives:
- Black hair as a coming-of-age story: reflecting identity development, self-discovery, and growing independence
- Black hair as family: emphasizing connections to culture, community, care, and belonging
- Black hair as both exclusion and resistance: illustrating how participants navigated barriers while expressing pride, agency, and self-definition
Why This Research Matters
By centering the lived experiences of Black girls, this project contributes to broader conversations about equity and inclusion in sport. The research celebrates the significance of Black hair while offering insights for coaches, educators, and sport organizations working to create safer, more affirming environments.
More broadly, the project challenges the underrepresentation of Black perspectives within sport research and highlights the importance of centering Black girls' knowledge, experiences, and stories.
We look forward to sharing publications from this research in the near future.
Black Hair Is a Safe Sport Issue!: Black Aesthetics, Access, Inclusion, and Resistance
Black hair is more than a style choice - it's a safe sport issue. This paper explored how Black hair aesthetics intersect with physical safety, relational safety, and equitable sport experiences. Read the full paper via the link below, or explore the key findings in the infographic.
