As dusk gives its way to twilight Ember and a Rito engage in bliss beneath the forest canopy.
Art by the lovely https://www.furaffinity.net/user/Spotty.Cat
anonymous Rito belongs to https://www.furaffinity.net/user/justanotherbluejay
Ember Belongs to https://www.furaffinity.net/user/ORCACommander
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THE COIL CARE PROJECT: HIGHLIGHTING REST AS RESILIENCE
WORDS BY AANUOLUWA ADU, NAJMA MOHAMED, AISHA MOHAMED AND ROFIAT SHOWUNMI
As part of Black History Month, the Coil Care Project launched its very first quarter by bringing the Kitchener-Waterloo region together for two special events. Sponsored by the Children Youth Planning Table (CYPT) and Canadian Service Corps, the initiative featured a community dinner on Feb. 20, 2026, and a workshop on Feb. 27, both grounded in the theme of rest as resilience and designed to create space for joy, restoration and cultural pride among Black people across the diaspora.
Rest as resilience, inspired by the book Rest as Resistance by Tracy Hersey, is the act of choosing to pause, to fully exist and to be celebrated.
Black men and women in Canada and across the Western world have experienced systemic pressure to conform to beauty standards that were never designed with them in mind. The project expresses resilience through hair and all that it encompasses. Having Black hair means carrying a curly and growing part of your identity every single day. Its diversity of textures, coils, kinks, locs and lengths is extraordinary, and honouring it requires intentional knowledge and care.
Through the Coil Care Project, our team recognized that Kitchener’s Black community deserved a local space to address hair care aesthetically and holistically. Tackling health concerns, dispelling misinformation and offering free consultations, these events were designed to be that place.
The dinner provided an opportunity to present a statement: haircare is healthcare. The connection between scalp health and the somatic experience of oil making at the workshop carried the essence of what was discussed during the dinner.
Hair care is not only about appearance, but also about maintenance, stress regulation and intentionality. To care for Black hair is to also care for more than what’s seen. It tends to one’s health, physically, spiritually and culturally.
Walking into The Catalyst building, the atmosphere was immediately welcoming. Guests arrived dressed to the nines. Delicious Nigerian cuisine served by Yembol Catering and local mouth-watering ice cream donated by Four All Ice Cream had attendees raving for days after the dinner.
Beyond the dining tables, coil stations with Joyce Achayo, founder of Studio 86, Venessa Lewis, founder of Niya’s Coily World, and Vanessa Corner allowed attendees to engage directly with Black expression. At the photo booth and throughout the event, photographer Taijasa Jordan captured the night’s spirit and essence behind the lens.
Aisha Mohamed, the night’s host, enthusiastically guided us through the agenda. Toffumi Akinlalu, a Nigerian-Canadian poet, started the night off with an original spoken word, followed by a reflection on her connection to hair and self-expression.
One of the most celebrated highlights was the joyful, affirming showcase of Black hair in all its glory and diversity. The hair was styled and braided by Rofiat Showumi, Creative Director of Esar Studios.
The braiding day took place at Studio 86, graciously provided by founder Joyce Achayo. Achayo had no hesitation in her support of hosting the braiding day.
“Creating a space where Black hair is celebrated and where people feel safe and seen is exactly the vision,” Achayo said.
Regional Councillor Colleen James spoke on her personal experiences of being a black woman in politics. She lent her leadership to appreciate and recognize the entire team.
Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy expressed the importance of community gathering. She also presented a Certificate of Recognition to Najma and Aisha Mohamed, affirming the Coil Care Project’s contribution to the Kitchener-Waterloo community.
The workshop hosted at the Family and Children Services (FACS) Youth Room carried on the dinner’s message by diving into the dimensions of overall health, scalp care and rest.
Benedicta Efua Akinsowon, founder of Benola Organic, certified Hair Care formulator and Type 4 expert, facilitated discussions on diseases and conditions linked to hair and scalp health, including conditions such as scalp conditions like Malassezia.
“I truly enjoyed the workshop and had a wonderful time meeting everyone,” she said.
In a world filled with so much information, attendees had the grounds to bring forward concerns, insights, and questions about their hair. Not only did they walk away with personalized advice, they got to take home curated hair oils, care kits and essentials.
It’s been truly an honour to host and work alongside our core team, volunteers and the EmpowerHer on bringing our community together for moments filled with care and presence. We truly appreciate all the hard work and dedication each person brought to support this quarter. It is because of you that this was possible.
In the spirit of giving back, Joyce Achayo of Studio 86 is collaborating with the Coil Care Project for all attendees who showed up and showed out in quarter one to enjoy 20 per cent off on cuts and silk presses, and 15 per cent off all braided hairstyles until May 30, 2026, using code #Coily86.
This article was created as a collaboration between The Community Edition and the Coil Care Project.
#AanuoluwaAdu #AishaMohamed #AislinnClancy #blackHair #Coily86 #HairCare #joyceAchayo #NajmaMohamed #resilience #rest #RofiatShowunmi #studio86 #TaijasaJordan #TheCatalyst #theCoilCareProjectHealthy Hair, Healthy Crown: A Guide to Hair Care for Black Men and Women
Hair has always been more than just hair in the Black community. It is identity. It is culture. It is expression. From braids and locs to fades and afros, our hair tells stories of heritage, resilience, and creativity. But beyond the beauty and versatility, maintaining healthy hair requires knowledge, consistency, and care.
Too often, we focus on styles before we focus on health. But the truth is, healthy hair is the foundation of every great look.
Understanding Our Hair Texture
Black hair is uniquely beautiful, but it also requires intentional care. Our hair tends to be more fragile due to its curl pattern, which makes it harder for natural oils from the scalp to travel down the hair shaft. This can lead to dryness, breakage, and damage if not properly maintained.
For both men and women, the goal isn’t just growth it’s retention. You can grow hair, but if it continues to break off, you won’t see the length or fullness you desire.
Moisture is Everything
Dry hair is the number one enemy of healthy hair. Hydration should be a top priority in every hair routine. Water is your best friend, followed by moisturizing products that help seal in that hydration.
A consistent routine that includes a leave-in conditioner and natural oils can make a major difference. Oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and castor oil help lock in moisture and add shine without weighing the hair down. Men with low cuts, waves, or beards should not ignore moisture either. Keeping the scalp hydrated prevents flaking and irritation, while moisturizing the beard promotes softness and growth.
Protective Styling with Purpose
Protective styles like braids, twists, wigs, and locs can help reduce manipulation and protect the ends of your hair but only when done correctly. Styles that are too tight can cause tension and lead to hair loss, especially around the edges. It’s important to give your hair breaks in between styles and maintain your natural hair underneath with proper cleansing and moisturizing. Healthy hair should never come at the cost of pain.
The Importance of a Healthy Scalp
Your scalp is the foundation of your hair. If your scalp is unhealthy, your hair will reflect it. Regular cleansing is essential to remove buildup from products, sweat, and oils. A clean scalp promotes growth and reduces issues like dandruff and itching. Incorporating scalp massages into your routine can also stimulate blood flow and encourage healthy hair growth.
Trim, Don’t Hold on to Damage
Holding on to split ends does more harm than good. Regular trims help prevent breakage from traveling up the hair shaft and allow your hair to grow stronger and healthier. This applies to everyone whether you wear your hair natural, relaxed, colored, or in a fade.
Nutrition Matters More Than You Think
Healthy hair starts from within. What you eat directly affects the strength and growth of your hair. A diet rich in vitamins, protein, and healthy fats supports hair health. Drinking enough water, managing stress, and maintaining overall wellness all play a role in how your hair looks and feels. Sometimes the issue isn’t your products it’s what your body is lacking.
Be Gentle with Your Crown
One of the biggest mistakes people make is over-manipulating their hair. Constant combing, brushing, and styling can lead to breakage over time. Using wide-tooth combs, detangling gently, and limiting heat usage can help maintain the integrity of your hair. If you do use heat, always use a heat protectant.
Breaking the Myths
There’s a long-standing myth that Black hair doesn’t grow. That is simply not true. Black hair grows it just requires proper care to retain length and maintain health. Another myth is that expensive products equal better results. While quality matters, consistency matters more. A simple, consistent routine will outperform a complicated one you can’t maintain.
Protect Your Crown
Our hair is powerful. It connects us to our roots while allowing us to express who we are today. Healthy hair is not about perfection it’s about consistency, patience, and understanding what works for you. Whether you wear your hair natural, relaxed, braided, loc’d, or faded, the goal should always be the same: healthy, strong, thriving hair. At Head2Toe Magazine & Entertainment, we believe in not just looking good but being well, inside and out. Because when your crown is healthy, you show up differently.
#blackHair #BlackMenAndWomenHairCare #healthyHairHey hey hey artists on #MastoArt , remember that it is alwaysss black history month every month and look what just launched!
Afroindex is a whole Reference Library for Black Hairstyles!!! Are you listening??
I don't wanna see anymore excuses for you not having any black OCs!
Seriously this is sooo cool!!!
edit: support their Ko-fi too!
https://ko-fi.com/afroindex
Click for more ⬇️
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