“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” is a must-see

Go see “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” a play by Ohio State graduate Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Shanelle Marie, before the run ends on March 22 in Columbus. As Charlie Stewart wrote over on the Ohio Immigrant Alliance blog, “‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ teaches me that community will always be the answer, come what may. It gave us everything it needed to give, and then some.”

Stewart continued: “Without giving away any important spoilers, the play features an African woman-owned hair braiding shop called Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. The shop is in Harlem, New York with shop manager Marie and African hair braiders Ndidi, Aminata, and Bea. Bea and Aminata, being close friends, are resistant to the new hair braider, Ndidi, coming into the shop temporarily while her shop goes under repair after a fire. Marie, the daughter of shop owner Jaja, tries again and again to keep the peace. While customers come in and out to get fabulous hairstyles, the audience gets a fun-filled understanding of the customers’ and workers' lives. Also, what’s a hair braiding shop without the sock, jewelry and DVD man? Am I right?”

Read more and purchase tickets here.