Feeling Seen & Heard Outside of the Classroom
As we welcome students into Beacock Branch Library, the air fills with laughter and excited chatter. Tafadzwa Maposa, also known as Taffy, a skilled hair braider and our Beacock Library Assistant, demonstrates the delicate art of braiding. Around her, teens gather, eager to learn not just how to braid, but also the deeper cultural meaning behind each twist and turn. This is Hair Braiding 101, a program that started as a small Library workshop but has grown into a vital community resource, fostering empowerment, connection, and pride.
Each session of Hair Braiding 101 offers a hands-on journey into the art and culture of braiding. Taffy explains, “In a typical session, we start with the history of hair braiding, then we move into hair care basics like washing and prepping the hair for braiding. After that, we teach the mechanics of braiding, and participants get to practice on mannequins.”
For Taffy, hair braiding is more than a skill—it’s a way to honour her heritage and celebrate individuality. Rooted in African traditions, braiding connects generations and builds confidence in those who learn the craft. Taffy’s vision for Hair Braiding 101 was to create a space where these traditions could be shared and celebrated within our community. “It’s so much more than hair,” Taffy points out. “It’s about identity, culture, and creating a safe space where people can feel proud of who they are.”
Working alongside passionate team members like Masonville Supervisor Lana Winchester-Tucker, Taffy found the perfect partner to bring this vision to life. Lana shares her insight, “People feel a great sense of accomplishment when they complete their braid. It’s about feeling pride in yourself and your ability to learn or even master an important, practical life skill.”
Taffy and Lana are passionate about this program and its value for our community. As Lana explains, “In Black culture, a person's hair is considered their crowning glory and an integral part of their identity. Protective styling, by way of braids, cornrows, twists etc. is one of the ways we maintain our strands, and this art is what we aspire to share with others.” We hope participants leave each session feeling proud and confident in caring for their hair. “It’s an empowering skill to have,” Taffy says.
What began as a small gathering has becine a popular program, with visits from local schools like Westminster Secondary School. These sessions allow students to learn and connect outside the traditional classroom setting.
Westminster Secondary School's Attendance Counsellor and Social Worker, Amanda Saunders, commented on their recent visit, “I was in awe of how committed the students were to learning (and relearning). At times, students share how representation, curriculum, activities, and food don’t always capture who they are within the school system. So, we appreciate this opportunity for kids to feel seen and heard.”
“The Library is a welcoming, non-judgmental space that’s open to everyone.” Lana shares, “Hair braiding is a communal activity that fits perfectly with our mission of inclusion and support. It’s a great place for this program to thrive.”
Hair Braiding 101 builds on a movement that celebrates culture, fosters community, and instills pride. In a world where representation matters, programs like this offer a space for individuals to feel acknowledged and understood. As Taffy reflects, “When we teach braiding, we’re teaching a life skill. It’s incredible to see how much it means to everyone who participates.”
The program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and demand continues to grow across London. As requests for partnerships pour in, we hope to expand the program to even more locations in the future.