AUTHOR STORY TIME | Jaylene Clark Owens | A Black Girl and Her Braids

Join author Jaylene Clark Owens as she pens an ode to Black girls and braids, a dynamic duo. This empowering picture book shines a light on what braids mean to Black girls of all ages and shows how Black communities have managed to continuously make space for braids, paying homage to their origins while making fun and futuristic styles, despite rules and regulations attempting to condemn them. Braids of all lengths, colors, and styles are brought to life with detailed illustrations from Brittney Bond, crafting a timeless book which honors creativity, encourages confidence, and calls for Black girls to proudly show off their braids no matter what!

Attendees will receive gift bags with hair care samples sponsored by 4U by Tia, Dosso Beauty, and Taliah Waajid, while supplies last.

About the creators:

Jaylene Clark Owens (she/her) is a vibrant and imaginative soul hailing from Harlem, New York, and is currently residing in the Greater Philadelphia region. She is an AUDELCO and Barrymore Award–winning actress, as well as a highly acclaimed, award-winning spoken word poet. Her acting credits include the stage, film, and television. Her passion for honoring, and advocating for, Black women and their hair has led her to create work celebrating various styles, such as braids, locs, twists, ’fros, and the Black girl switch up!

Brittney Bond (she/her) is a self-taught artist from Florida, currently living in Maryland. A lifelong fan of art, drawing, and design, Bond has managed to turn her childhood passion into a full-time career, focusing on digital art with fun color palettes, interesting lighting, and positivity that shines through her work. Find her on Instagram @prismaviolet_.

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Host or Publisher Brave + Kind Bookshop