Founded by local teacher Jade Lambert, the Natural Hair Club Harlem provides fifteen Black and Brown students at P.S. 171 with hands-on hair care education twice a week. Supported by a city grant, the program teaches styling mechanics while actively combating systemic hair discrimination, giving young girls a safe space to proudly celebrate their unique heritage.
A teacher at Patrick Henry Preparatory School in New York City is determined to share the tradition and knowledge of natural hair care with her students.
P.S. 171 teachers with the natural hair club students. Credit: Photo contributed by the NYC Department of Education
By Ariama C. Long
The afro, bold and political like activist Angela Davis. Locs swinging free like Bob Marley. Black hair has a long storied history of effortlessly making a statement in its natural state. One Harlem teacher is determined to continue the tradition and knowledge of natural hair care among her students at Patrick Henry Preparatory School’s Natural Hair Club.
Jade Lambert, 30, is a fourth grade teacher at Patrick Henry (P.S. 171) in Harlem. She founded the hair club and has run it for the last two years. More than a beauty program, this club honors the deep cultural importance of hair in Black communities.
“Hair, Black hair specifically, is very community centered,” said Lambert, “Normally little girls aren’t going home and doing their own hair. They need help from a parent or an aunt. So since it’s community based, it’s about starting conversations. They understand their hair, but also the adults can too.”
The club has 15 Black and Brown girls who meet twice a week for about an hour and a half. The students that attend get natural hair education where they learn how to care for their own hair, identify different hair textures and types; create detangling, wash, and style routines; and practice protective styles using provided hair. By teaching these skills to 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, the program empowers students to embrace the uniqueness of their hair while preserving a tradition that has been passed down for generations.
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