We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful San Griffin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with San below.

San, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

As the Author of Black Hair Love, Black Hair Love for Preschoolers, and Black Hair Love for Teens and Up books, I wanted to create books that affirmed all black hair is beautiful hair. Moreover, all shades of black and brown are beautiful. The late great Toni Morrison said, “If you don’t see the book you want to read, then you should write it.” Therefore, I did!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have worked with families for over 17 years, from non-profit to for-profit sectors. My background is in early education, I earned a bachelor’s degree in child development and family relations, and a master’s degree in human development from North Carolina Central University. My first book was the Amazon bestseller, The Superheroes’ Guide to Dominating Their Universe.

As a mother, and a mentor to youth, I would often hear discussions regarding good hair and bad hair. It disturbed me that the definition of good hair to them was hair with big curls, wavy patterns, or naturally straight. According to the dialogue that I heard, we needed more books, media, and works of art to send the message that all black hair textures and styles are beautiful and we should love our black hair. Upon watching an interview with the late author Toni Morrison, she stated, “If you don’t see the book you would like to read, then you should write it.” I didn’t see the representation of black hair in books my sons read or my nieces’. This was one of the greatest inspirations for the Black Hair Love books. I realized beautiful black people’s hair was underrepresented in literature. Therefore, I created three different books, for each age group. The goal was to empower, inspire, and powerfully impact readers of all ages with the poetry and stanzas in each book. Each book is considered a mirror book because representation is vital as black youth are growing and assimilating into society. It is important for them to see images of themselves, their families, and their surroundings familiar to them. The illustrator Ija Charles did a masterful job creating her original artwork, which is inside 2 of the books.
Additionally, the Black Hair Love books are window books. Window books allow other cultures to look in, and see our culture, traditions, and what we love about our hair. Different cultures get to see, it’s not just about black hair, it’s about heritage and the identity that we were born with.
Moreover, the Black Hair Love books are rebranding our hair using literature. Often, you hear negative words related to black people’s hair, such as rude, unmanageable, nappy, kinky, and unkempt. Transformative words were intentionally used, positive and uplifting words and thoughts regarding black peoples’ hair. This sets Black Hair Love books apart from other literature.
Lastly, I would like for potential customers to know that these books were written from love, from the perspective of changing the paradigm regarding the standard of beautiful hair. Created intentionally, for different hues of brown and black youth to be reflected, as well as different textures, patterns, and cultural styles.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I always knew I wanted to be an author, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about. Upon reflecting on my thoughts regarding my hair, black people’s hair, how it was described and branded in the media and in literature always bothered me. Previously, I gave you one inspiration, this was the second inspiration. It came to the point that before I went to sleep I would see visions of these books and the poems would flow right before bedtime. This happened quite a lot and this was towards the end of 2019. By the beginning of 2020, I was ready to start the publishing process. The world was shutting down due to Covid-19, but it seems to increase my energy to get this positivity out into the world. I hired a publishing consultant and we met via Zoom and Google hangout occasionally. Of course, like everyone else in 2020, there were a lot of emotions, sickness, and unforeseen things going on, yet the burning desire to create and release these books fueled me and kept me focused. In June 2020, all three books were launched and Black Hair Love for Teens and Up became a bestseller on Amazon.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been vending at live events. As a vendor, I am able to share my books and products, connect with the readers, and listen to their hair stories. Yes, most of them have stories about their hair being judged, challenged, or just not feeling confident with their natural hair. Many connect with me on one of my platforms and continue to support my business. We celebrate each other and create a community surrounding self-love and black people’s hair.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackhairlove.info/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blac_khairlove/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Blackhairlove1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackhairlove2714/featured