Here’s why I can’t stop cheesing. 

Hair! How I Grew It is six years old today. Happy birthday baby!

HHIGI is aging like fine wine and WINNING!

• #1 on MillionPodcasts' Best 10 Natural Hair Podcasts

• #1 on Feedspot’s 25 Best Natural Hair Podcasts

• #5 on Best 10 Black Beauty Podcasts

• #19 on Best 50 Hair Podcasts

HHIGI is about to hit 50 shows. Episode 48 featuring Joy M. Hutton drops on World Afro Day. The founder and CEO of jmh and co. and on the go Glam is slaying the beauty tech game for boss women everywhere.

Despite these debilitating MAGA times (have you seen the unemployment numbers for Black women?), my natural hair sistahs are winning too! This edition of HHIGI E-News is packed with their wins, resilience and pure Black girl magic.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for riding this hair-raising journey with me. National Black Business Month is winding down, but supporting Black-owned businesses must continue, so please keep tuning in and sharing because every time you do, you help Hair! How I Grew It grow (pun intended).

Forever grateful and always blessed.

Loving my natural hair,

Drakeel Burns

Hair! How I Grew It

Host and Producer

About the show -- Hair! How I Grew It is a podcast featuring Black women sharing their raw firsthand journeys to embracing their natural hair. Host Drakeel Burns started the show because Black hair matters. HHIGI is available wherever you get your podcasts. It is a production of Drakeel Enterprises.

About the host and producer -- Drakeel Burns is a content creator, journalist and broadcast media veteran. Her work has been seen both locally and nationally. In addition to her work behind the lens as a writer and producer, she has appeared in front of the camera on television and the big screen. Legendary director Steven Spielberg cast Drakeel in the sci-fi blockbuster Minority Report starring Tom Cruise. She is the president of Drakeel Enterprises, a multi-media company specializing in print, broadcast and motivational speaking services.

Episode 47: Features Kassidi Jones, pictured left. She is an antiracist animal advocate and the content creator behind Ginger’s Naps, named after her pit bull Ginger. Kassidi and her fur baby are taking on the world with honest conversations about pets and racism.

Episode 46 : Features Janel Caminos, pictured right. She is a curly hair influencer and founder of Curly Crown Collective. Janel was recently named one of the Top 50 DEI Professionals by OnConferences.

More episodes

Past Hair! How I Grew It guest Caroline Brewer (pictured right) met former Library of Congress Librarian Dr. Carla Hayden at the recent American Library Association Annual Conference.

"Being able to gift her the first copy of my new book, Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature, with What on Earth! and Publisher Spotlight, was the highlight of the conference!" exclaimed Caroline. "She is as beautiful a spirit as you'll ever find, and she is our Forever Librarian!"

Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature (out September 2) is a middle-grade picture book that explores Harriet's extraordinary relationship with nature and the spiritual world. The author, who had never illustrated anything before, created the breathtaking collage illustrations, which add to this unique take on Harriet's story. Preorder wherever books are sold.

Caroline shared her natural hair journey on HHIGI in 2019. Click to listen.

St. Clair Detrick-Jules (pictured left) is smiling because her children’s books, My Hair Is Like Yours and My Hair Is Like the Sun, are in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. She shared her excitement on social media. “I remember when the museum first opened in 2016, and it was so difficult to get tickets because everyone and their grandma was trying to get in. I never would’ve believed that one day my very own books would make it inside the museum, but here we are!” St. Clair shared her natural hair journey on Hair! How I Grew It in 2022. Click to listen.

A’Lelia Bundles (pictured middle) is getting praise for her new book Joy Goddess. It is one of Oprah Daily's "26 Best Summer Reads of 2025." Here’s why it made the list. “…A’Lelia Bundles has published a raucously immersive biography of her great-grandmother and namesake, the legendary socialite A’Lelia Walker…The daughter of the hair care mogul and first female self-made millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker, A’Lelia helped define Manhattan’s Jazz Age through her artistic patronage and legendary parties. Taking its name from Langston Hughes’s description of Walker as 'the joy goddess of Harlem,' the biography follows A’Lelia Walker through her rags-to-riches childhood to her adulthood spent in French couture, Manhattan scandal and inner circles of the most prominent Black musicians, poets, artists, and politicians of her time…” Joy Goddess’ summer publication coincides with this summer’s centennial celebration of the Harlem Renaissance. A’Lelia shared her natural hair journey on HHIGI in 2020. Click to listen. 

Heather Dolland Tamam (pictured right) has released her transformative new book, Create Your Own Table: A Guide to Discovering Your Purpose. It is for professionals who feel undervalued, women navigating change, or anyone standing at a personal crossroads. Heather offers a roadmap to clarity, courage, and authenticity through real-life stories, mindset shifts, and questions designed to spark meaningful transformation. A companion workbook and quote card deck are also available to help deepen the experience. "I didn't write this book to help people get back to where they were—I wrote it to help them go where they were always meant to be," said Heather. "If you've ever felt like the life you're living doesn't match who you are, this book is your invitation to create something different—and better." Heather shared her natural hair journey on HHIGI in 2024. Click to listen. 

Excerpt from this month's MVEMNT

"How Mercy Chikowore Became the Go-to Publicist for Black Excellence in the DMV

Mercy Chikowore is a public relations strategist and cultural curator and, as she puts it, 'everyone’s biggest cheerleader,' but that’s only the surface. Based in Washington, D.C., Chikowore’s journey spans continents—she was born in Tokyo, raised in Zimbabwe and Switzerland, and has been rooted in the DMV for nearly two decades. That global lens shapes how she tells stories, builds brands, and amplifies voices.

'I carry a rich international perspective into everything I do, but always represent Zimbabwe,' she told MVEMNT.

Her love for storytelling started with dreams of becoming a journalist, but shifting tides in the media industry pushed her toward a field that felt just as natural—public relations (PR)." Read more.

Mercy shared her natural hair journey on Hair! How I Grew It in 2022. Click to listen.

Mercy is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. OO-OOP!

Sirius XM Urban View radio host Lurie Daniel Favors is offering more insight on her new podcast, Lurie Breaks It Down. Here's what you can expect.

"...Each episode dives deep into compelling topics, from history and culture to politics and current events, with the goal of filling in the knowledge gaps listeners didn’t know they had. Lurie’s sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and passion for truth make every conversation both enlightening and accessible. With a lineup of fascinating guests—from experts and activists to artists and thought leaders—Lurie Breaks It Down brings fresh perspectives and meaningful dialogue to help listeners connect the dots on complex issues..."

Lurie Breaks It Down is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Lurie shared her natural hair journey on Hair! How I Grew It in 2023. Click to listen.

Lurie is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. OO-OOP!

Dominique Kizer (pictured left) earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Dayton, and she put the world on notice on social media. “The best birthday gift I received was passing my dissertation defense! From the hood to hooded, Mona and John made me, E.C. [East Cleveland] raised me, and these degrees saved me! Allow me to reintroduce myself: Dr. Dominique Michelle Kizer, Ed.D.” Dominique shared her natural hair journey on Hair! How I Grew It in 2023. Click to listen.

LaWanda Toney (pictured middle) has a new venture that she unveiled on social media. "It’s official — LA Communications Group is open for business! And we finally have a website! After years of supporting amazing organizations behind the scenes, I’m excited to share our new digital home and let the world know: I’m ready to help you reach your communications goals. Whether you’re a company, campaign, or personal brand—we help you find the right words, build trust, and show up with clarity and confidence. Let’s work. lacommunicationsgroup.com" LaWanda shared her natural hair journey on HHGI in 2020. Click to listen.

Lori Daney (pictured right) is a Howard University graduate again. “It’s never too late to grow.” That’s what she said after earning a bachelor’s degree in African American studies earlier this year from her alma mater. Lori earned a chemistry degree from HU in the 1980s. She’ll return to Howard this fall to start on her master’s degree in Africana studies. Lori shared her natural hair journey on HHIGI in 2023. Click to listen.

*Note: LaWanda is also a Howard University graduate. HU! You Know!

My mom is the inspiration we ALL need right now.

Mama Curlie does NOT look like what she has been through.

In 2020, my mom had life-saving triple bypass surgery. Earlier this year, she walked the runway in the Go RED Fashion Show for American Heart Month. From fittings to showtime Mama Curlie had a blast because she has always been a fashionista. In high school, she bought her school clothes from money she made while working summers in New York. Then she’d return home to the Lowcountry and walk the school halls like a queen. It’s no surprise my mom was voted best dressed her senior year.

82 years young – thank you God!

How does Mama Curlie do it? She exercises six days a week and gives Him all the praise and glory. (She leads her weekly prayer church group.)

Click to watch her walk the runway.

Proud daughter,

Drakeel Burns

Hair! How I Grew It

Host and Producer

Cleveland’s Crown Angels (CCA) is the first fiction book from Hair! How I Grew It Host and Producer Drakeel Burns. CCA is a zany supernatural adventure rooted in her natural hair journey. It’s also a little steamy. Not Fifty Shades, but there’s some heat, and the book celebrates The Land, Drakeel's hometown.

Cleveland native Adrian S. Lane illustrated the beautiful book cover.

CCA is available has an e-book on Amazon. Click to purchase.