How braids connect African American culture from past to present

Описание: Jaquita Vance of Lush Beauty Lounge in Milwaukee is teaching students that braiding is more than a hairstyle — it's a tradition rooted in survival, identity, and pride.

Long before slavery, braid patterns across Africa signified tribe, status, age, and identity. When Africans were enslaved, their heads were often shaved — an attempt to strip away culture. What began as an act of survival was reclaimed, braid by braid, and passed down through generations.

"History teaches us that they started braiding hair, and they would put the maps in the hair for the escape routes. They would hide seeds in our hair for food. Everything that was meant for survival, we turned it into culture," Vance said.

She teaches braiding at Messmer High School, where she works to give students both a cultural foundation and a path to financial independence.

Read more: https://www.tmj4.com/lifestyle/black-...

_________________________

TMJ4 News in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is your source for local breaking news, in-depth investigations, the latest weather and traffic, and livestreams on news happening right now.



Subscribe to the TMJ4 YouTube channel: / @tmj4



Watch 24/7 TMJ4 live coverage here: https://www.tmj4.com/live



Download the TMJ4 app: https://www.tmj4.com/apps



Sign up for the TMJ4 Newsletter: https://www.tmj4.com/newsletters



Watch more TMJ4 on YouTube: / @tmj4



On The Go with James Groh: https://on.tmj4.com/3V1oLvH



Milwaukee Tonight: https://on.tmj4.com/3UZroya