Philadelphia-based spoken word poet and actress Jaylene Clark Owens is preparing to release an inspiring new children’s book based on her viral poem of the same name.
'A Black Girl and Her Braids,' illustrated by Brittney Bond and set for release on Jan. 6, 2026 via Penguin Workshop, expands on her poem which has been shared by millions online including celebrities such as Tia Mowry, Robin Thede, Niecy Nash, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kandi Burruss, Kerry Washington, Bozoma Saint John, Gabrielle Union, Tabitha Brown, and hair stylist to Michelle Obama, Njeri Radway.
Owens, originally from Harlem, NY, is an AUDELCO and Barrymore award-winning stage, screen and film actress, and a company member at the Tony award-winning Wilma Theater where she also hosts an Open Mic series.
'A Black Girl and Her Braids,' the poem, is featured on her EPs 'A Black Girl and Her Hair' and 'A Black Girl and Her Hair (The Remix!),' reaching over 10.5 million streams across music platforms and social media. The upcoming book celebrates Black girlhood, the history and cultural roots of African hair braiding, and the importance of embracing your own hair.
Owens recently sat down with Metro to discuss the poem’s beginnings and the impact of her words going viral, why she believes the story will help kids understand one another a little more, and how the Philadelphia community can get the book into the hands of children and educational groups.
I received the inspiration for my original poem on a trip to Los Angeles to visit one of my best friends, Hollis. As many Black girls do, I had gotten some “vacation braids” so I could look cute, protect my hair, and not have to worry about styling while traveling. I got my knotless braids done at Baly African Hair Braiding salon in Philadelphia.
Hollis and I were frolicking around Rodeo Drive taking pictures and I grew more and more in love with how I looked and felt in my braids. I realized it is truly a special and unique feeling to be a Black girl and have braids. One morning, while Hollis was at the store and I was getting ready, I decided that I wanted to write a poem about being a Black girl with braids. What came to me were the first seven lines of the poem, which are now the first seven lines of the book. It wasn’t just a poem though; it had a beat. I recorded it as a voice note on my phone, used my fingers to snap out a rhythm, and vowed to turn it into a complete poem when I got back home.
It has been absolutely incredible! It was already truly special to see thousands of Black women and girls dancing along to a song/poem that I created, and became extra special to see artists I have grown up watching and listening to admiring and engaging with art that I created.
One of my favorite moments was when Tia Mowry created a video using my poem. As a child in elementary school, whenever we would receive the assignment of writing about our heroes, I would always write about Tia and Tamera Mowry. I loved watching 'Sister, Sister' (I still watch it daily!) and wanted to act and sing just like them. To have Tia use my poem to showcase her braids was truly a full circle, incredible moment.
When I saw thousands of videos of Black women proudly showcasing their daughters dancing to my poem and celebrating their beauty and braids, I knew I had to create a children’s version just for them. I also have a goddaughter and niece, the children of one of my best friends, Sarah. They see me on 'Law & Order' and 'Albie’s Elevator' and get really excited about that, so I wanted to create something that specifically had them in mind. I had previously pitched a different children’s book, inspired by my goddaughter, Amani, but it wasn’t picked up by any agents. Once I saw the success of my poem online, I decided to try to pitch a 'A Black Girl and Her Braids' and it was successful.
When I got the idea to write the original version of 'A Black Girl and Her Braids,' I knew it was important to include messaging about The CROWN Act. Naturally, I also had to include it in the children’s book. As a spoken word poet, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when art meets activism. The CROWN Act represents that intersection. This book is vibrant and a celebration, but it also pushes back against systems that try to tell Black girls their hair is a problem. It sends a clear message that no one should be penalized for wearing their natural or protective styles. Including the spread with the little girl holding up a sign saying “Support the CROWN Act” was my way of connecting joy and justice, letting little ones know that their voices matter even at a young age.
I am an actress and spoken word poet, so it is my job, and my passion, to perform words. I made sure to keep my spoken word style in this story. If you purchase the audiobook version, you will hear that I still perform the beginning lines of the book in the rhythmic way I perform it online. I still bring my spoken word flair to the story. Even the line breaks in the text speak to the spoken word cadence that I use when I perform my poetry live. My work as Rosie on 'Albie’s Elevator' taught me a lot about speaking to children in a way they can understand, so I thought about that as I was writing this book.
It is my hope that all children will read it and be inspired to love their hair. In the in-person educational programming I have created around this book, I teach a song for all the children to sing, no matter the race, to the beat of my 'Braids' song that celebrates each one of them embracing their hair.
Whether your hair is short or long, straight or curly, it’s yours and you should wear it with pride. I hope all children will feel that when they read 'A Black Girl and Her Braids.' I also hope those not familiar with braids can learn about how they’re not just a style, but they are also functional, protective, and are steeped in culture and history. I believe that the more we understand each other, the better the world will be.
The Philadelphia community can help by being a sponsor, by requesting books, or by spreading the word about my Sponsorship Train. Through the Sponsorship Train, educational groups, such as schools or afterschool programs who don’t have the funding to purchase books, can request sponsorship. Those who are in a position to buy books can sign up to be a sponsor by letting us know how many books they can cover. My team and I will do our best to pair the sponsors with the groups requesting books. It is really an opportunity for community to support community. Shoutout to Luvvie Ajayi Jones who inspired me to do this based on Sponsorship Trains she has done for her books. Information can be found on my website, JayleneClarkOwens.com.
It means so much! I’ve had a lot of my artistic firsts here — writing my first play ('Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale'), winning my first individual acting award (Barrymore Award), being a series regular on a television show ('Albie’s Elevator' on WHYY), so it only makes sense that I would debut my first children’s book in the amazing city of Philadelphia. Some of my best creative moments have been in Philadelphia and I am extremely grateful for that. I can’t wait to engage with the youth of this city to promote literacy and celebrate Black girls and their braids.
Jaylene Clark will read her book and sign copies during a special storytime at Barnes & Noble, 1708 Chestnut Street, on Sunday, Jan. 11, at noon.
