Roots of Culture

Why did I choose haircare as my doctoral capstone? Simple: I love my hair. My hair is my identity, my memories, and my story. For me and others, hair is far more than wellness or routine. It is culture. It is my expression. It is my connection.

Haircare creates a sense of culture for everyone. Culture is who you are, and it deserves to be seen. A person’s culture shapes their worldview, their confidence, and their identity. When culturally meaningful practices are included in care, participation in therapeutic activities increases. People feel understood. They feel represented. They feel like the care was designed with them.

My own hair has been a key part of many pivotal moments in my life. As I write this, I can’t help but think of all the hair memories that shaped me:
My mom brushing my hair so hard it brought me to tears.
My grandmother decorating my braids with beads that clicked and clacked as I walked.
The sweet, recent memories of styling my sister’s hair before church, sharing laughs and stories.

Each memory reminds me why this project matters. With every recollection, I grow more excited to learn about and celebrate others’ hair journeys as well.

According to AOTA, about 80% of occupational therapists identify as white. Representation matters. Understanding matters. Cultural humility matters. I wanted to create a capstone that celebrates diverse identities and challenges the assumption that care can be one-size-fits-all.

Not every person is the same and neither is their hair.

Clients deserve treatment that reflects their culture, their hair type, their routines, and their lived experiences. Haircare is an important ADL, and families should feel represented, supported, and celebrated in the process.

This project is my way of honoring that truth.

Colbie York