African American hair is more than fashion. It's part of some people's identities. Salon owners in Northeastern Pennsylvania say they see the area's demographics diversifying, and with that comes the need for licensed hairstylists to not only care for Black hair, but in some cases to create community spaces for learning and understanding. Photojournalist Aimee Dilger captured these images for WVIA News.
Black Hair: A Photo Essay
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Koni Bennett's shop features a neon sign that reads "curls, waves, press, braids," all of which are done there.
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Janiela Anderson poses for a photo inside her Scranton shop Anisyeme.
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April "Real" Martinborough prepares a client's hair in sections before braiding.
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Josh Martinborough stops in for his hair to be cared for. His mom keeps it natural, as well as in braids.
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Josh Martinborough shakes out his natural hair.
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April "Real" Martinborough braids a client's hair.
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Women select fake hair for a new hairstyle.
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Janiela Anderson places a wig on a model inside her Scranton shop Anisyeme.
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Koni Bennett talks with a client, Uzoamaka Anyiwo, PhD, while preparing her hair for crochet waves.
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Uzoamaka Anyiwo's natural hair is fashioned into tight braids, into which the fake hair will be crocheted.
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Heather Rhodes shapes 11-year-old Medina Krauser's hair .
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Koni Bennett and Uzoamaka Anyiwo are silhouetted in the Vanity Shop window in Scranton while Bennett braids.
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Koni Bennett talks grabs a fistful of fake hair to be crocheted into client Uzoamaka Anyiwo's natural hair.
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Heather Rhodes shapes 11-year-old Medina Krauser's hair as her mother Lisa watches. Lisa has gained knowledge on caring for her bi-racial daughters hair from Rhodes.
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Koni Bennett braids Uzoamaka Anyiwo's hair in a flurry.
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Uzoamaka Anyiwo picks out hair she will have crocheted into her natural hair.
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Heather Rhodes cuts 11-year-old Medina Krauser's hair.
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Uzoamaka Anyiwo picks out hair she will have crocheted into her natural hair.
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April "Real" Martinborough braids a client's hair.
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A pile of fake hair rests on a table in Koni Bennett's shop Vanity. Koni is crocheting the hair into Uzoamaka Anyiwo's natural hair.
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April "Real" Martinborough pulls conditioner through her son Josh's natural hair. Every week she gives him a deep conditioning.
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April "Real" Martinborough braids a client's hair.
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Asia Jateia Custus plays with her Sister Locs hairstyle.
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April "Real" Martinborough washes a client's hair using products for ethnic hair.
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April "Real" Martinborough readies fake hair to be braided into a client's real hair.
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Koni Bennett fluffs Uzoamaka Anyiwo's hair after the final trim.
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Uzoamaka Anyiwo's smiles after seeing her new hairstyle. Anyiwo sees a close connection between her hairstyle and her personality.
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Vanity, the hair salon run by Koni Bennett in Scranton, is one of a few shops that specialize in ethnic hair.
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