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's eye for beauty extends well beyond hair. An art collector, curator, art advisor, and founder of Ella West Gallery, she also serves on the North Carolina Museum of Art's Board of Trustees and is a member of the Black Trustee Alliance. Her passion for art is rooted in a belief that its stories, beauty, and cultural significance should be accessible to more people.
Who is art really for? What does it mean to see ourselves represented in art? And how do our experiences with hair and beauty shape the way we see ourselves and the world?
From hair mishaps to discovering the world of art, Linda reminds us that beauty and the stories behind it can be found in unexpected places.
 
Artists Mentioned:
Steven Cozart — The Pencil Test: Elijah (Texturism)
Edmonia Lewis — Smithsonian American Art Museum
Ernie Barnes
Kennedi Carter
 
Connect with Linda Shropshire:Instagram: @thelindashropshire
 
Connect with The Tight Curls Project:Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Substack
 
Credits:Host & Producer: Shadia OshodiAssociate Producer: Emily EschlemanBrand Design: Zanda

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 researching hair products and making shopping lists for her mom as a child to becoming Sephora's 2025 Hair Creator of the Year and founding Hair Match, an AI-powered hair product recommendation app, she shares how her passion for natural hair has grown alongside her other pursuits.
We also discuss navigating expectations around her natural hair as a college and NBA cheerleader, the opportunities that have shaped her journey, and why sometimes it takes a little delusion and the confidence to forge your own path.
Alycea is also the author of the children's book My Hair Is My Superpower, which brings her passion for natural hair and education to a younger audience.
 
 
Explore Alycea's Work
Hair Match app: https://www.hairmatchapp.co
My Hair Is My Superpower: https://a.co/d/08wG7TYe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alycearae
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alycearae/
TikTok: tiktok.com/@alycearae
 
 
Connect with The Tight Curls Project
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TightCurlsProject
Substack: https://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com/
 
 
Credits
Host & Producer: Shadia Oshodi
Associate Producer: Emily Eschleman
Brand Design: https://heyzanda.com

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 why learning to do her own hair has been a game changer, her love of crochet styles, experimenting with color, and the one basic skill she recommends learning if you want to open up a world of DIY possibilities. Ariane also shares what it was like when the different ways she wore her hair became a regular topic of conversation at work, and how she navigated some of the unsolicited attention that came with it.
We also get into defining professional hair on your own terms, motherhood, taking the leap into full time entrepreneurship, and finding ways to still feel like yourself when your time is no longer entirely your own.
It is a fun, wide ranging conversation about hair, work, motherhood, and figuring out what works for the life you are living.
 
CONNECT WITH ARIANE WASHINGTONAriReady Consulting: https://www.ariready.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariane-washington/
CONNECT WITH THE TIGHT CURLS PROJECTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6COELYEuOH2FWYNgL2EUGK?si=a88ec2ba8f5f488cYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TightCurlsProjectSubstack: https://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com/
 
✅ Help more people find us by subscribing to this podcast. We appreciate ya!
 
CREDITSHost & Producer: Shadia OshodiAssociate Producer: Emily EschlemanBrand Design: https://heyzanda.com

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, lead as an introvert, and become more comfortable wearing and appreciating her natural hair.
We get practical too, talking college hair budgets, DIY and protective styles, and what “protective” actually means, using the science to cut through the social media noise. Plus, students from UNC’s Black Student Movement share advice on some of the biggest hair challenges on campus.
Whether you’re heading to college or your college years are well behind you, this conversation goes beyond campus. It’s about finding your people, growing into yourself, and learning what works for you along the way.
More on protective styles:For more on protective styles and caring for your hair in braids, check out our Braids Care: Rethinking Protective Styles episode: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-uvsx6-1a5a2c2
Connect with The Tight Curls Project
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6COELYEuOH2FWYNgL2EUGK?si=a88ec2ba8f5f488cYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TightCurlsProjectSubstack: https://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com/
 
Host & Producer: Shadia OshodiAssociate Producer: Emily EschlemanBrand Design: https://heyzanda.com

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 DIY process yourself or booking an appointment, I unpack why feather crochet hair is essential to achieving your preferred look, how much of it you need to buy, and how to safely and efficiently install, maintain, and take down the hair.  
 Learn how to optimize the protection, customization, longevity, and convenience of this popular style while being confident in your hair health. 
 
📚 Episode References
Braids Care:  Scalp Love & Synthetic Hair, Real Talk
 
🔗 Connect with The Tight Curls Project:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Subscribe to our FREE Substack: http://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/
Brand design: http://heyzanda.com

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 time.
Most importantly, we cover practical ways to support healthier retention with braids, before installation, while wearing them, and during take-down.
This conversation isn’t about avoiding braids. It’s about understanding the trade-offs so you can protect the hair you have and make choices that align with your goals.
📚 Episode References
Molamodi, K., Fajuyigbe, D., Sewraj, P., Gichuri, J., Sijako, B., Galliano, A., & Laurent, A. (2021). Quantifying the impact of braiding and combing on the integrity of natural African hair. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 43, 321–331. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12699⁠
Aguh, C., 90 Days to Beautiful Curly Hair (2023)
 
🔗 Connect with The Tight Curls Project:
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/q9Swb0naob8
Subscribe to our FREE Substack: http://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/
Brand design: http://heyzanda.com

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 shows up professionally.
 
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✨ Connect with Tiana Elame
Website: TianaElame.com
Environmental Answers: https://www.envans.org/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetianaselection/
 
🔗 Connect with The Tight Curls Project:
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/q9Swb0naob8
Subscribe to our FREE Substack: http://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/
Brand design: http://heyzanda.com

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-expression.
Now as a mom, Amanda is modeling that same pride for her daughter. We talk about styling in ways that highlight her natural texture and how representation at home shapes the way kids see themselves. She also shares the realistic weekly routine that’s helped bring ease into their family rhythm. It’s funny, fun and full of the kind of wisdom that lifts and encourages.
 
✅ Help more people find us by subscribing to this podcast. We appreciate ya!
 
✨ What Amanda's Loving: https://drinkbuji.com/
 
🔗 Connect with The Tight Curls Project:
Subscribe to our FREE Substack: http://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/
Brand design: http://heyzanda.com
 
 

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 developing and testing braiding hair. We get into how to spot better quality hair, simple prep steps that make installs more comfortable and the kind of practical science that brings real peace of mind.
 
✅ Help more people find us by subscribing to this podcast. We appreciate ya!
 
✨ Connect with Ashley:
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyash_xoxo/
Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyndavis1/
 
🔗 Connect with The Tight Curls Project:
Subscribe to our FREE Substack: http://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.com
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tightcurlsproject/
Brand design: http://heyzanda.com
 
🤿 Dive into the science:
Wong M. Is synthetic braiding hair giving people cancer? Breaking down Consumer Reports’ tests. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. March 27, 2025. Accessed November 1, 2025. https://labmuffin.com/is-synthetic-braiding-hair-giving-people-cancer-breaking-down-consumer-reports-tests/
Auguste, D., & Miller, S. L. (2020). Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Heated Synthetic Hair: A Pilot Study. Environmental Health Insights. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6990612/
 Dangerous chemicals in braiding hair?. BeautySciComm. April 13, 2025. Accessed November 15, 2025. https://beautyscicomm.com/dangerous-chemicals-in-braiding-hair/

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 courage to try new styles. We also talk about life as a student-athlete, championing women’s sports, and finding inspiration through the people around you.
 
✅ Help more people find us by subscribing to this podcast. We appreciate ya!
 
Connect with Amiah:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amiaaahhhh/Shop her store: https://nil.store/duke/duke-amiah-burgess-5Duke Blue Crew: https://www.instagram.com/dukebluecrew/
Connect with The Tight Curls Project:Subscribe to our FREE Substack: http://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack.comFollow on Instagram: http://instagram.com/tightcurlsprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TightCurlsProjectBrand design: http://heyzanda.com