"Anita Grant said she was inspired to pen the empowering children's book after learning she was pregnant with her daughter." - Read the full article on Essence
Being featured in Essence is an incredible honour, and it still feels a bit surreal. As a mom, a writer, and the creator of “Hello Hair,” seeing my story and this book highlighted on such a respected platform means more than I can fully put into words. I created this book for our kids, but moments like this remind me how many adults have been waiting to feel seen too.
Why I wrote “Hello Hair”
I created our Hello Hair books because I wanted children to grow up with the kind of representation I didn’t always see when I was young. I remember how often Eurocentric beauty standards shaped what was considered “good hair,” and how that could make natural curls, coils, and protective styles feel out of place. With this book, I wanted to put Black hair at the center of the story - beautiful, joyful, and completely normal.
In the pages of “Hello Hair,” kids explore the fun, creativity, and versatility of their hair in spaces that feel familiar: salons, styling chairs, and family moments. My hope is that when children read it, they recognize themselves, their friends, and their families, and feel proud of what they see.
What the Essence feature means to me
Seeing my work in Essence is a full‑circle moment. Essence has always been a publication that celebrates Black culture, beauty, and excellence, and to be included in that conversation is incredibly humbling. I am so honoured to be featured and to have “Hello Hair” introduced to more families, educators, and communities who care about representation.
This feature is more than publicity for a book; it’s validation that stories about Black hair, told for and with love for our children, are important. It tells me that there is space, and demand, for books that reflect our realities, our traditions, and our joy.
How you can help support this journey
If you discovered "Hello Hair" through Essence or through a friend, thank you for taking the time to learn about this project. You can support this journey by sharing the book with the children in your life, recommending it to teachers and librarians, or simply talking about it in your own communities.
Most of all, I hope our Hello Hair book brings joy into your home or your classroom. Thank you for celebrating with me, for uplifting stories that center Black hair, and for helping ensure that every child can open a book and say, “That looks like me.”