More Than Hair: Kenesma D. John on Identity and Belonging

Marlena is joined by Dr. Kenesma D. John to talk about her novel Hair Diaries: My Hair Evolution, a reflective and visually rich exploration of hair, identity, and Black girlhood. In this spoiler-free conversation, they discuss what inspired John to use hair as the lens for the story, the blend of autobiography and fiction, and her choice to tell Charisma’s journey through reflections and illustrated images. Together, they unpack how hair becomes deeply emotional and political, touching on colorism, community, and intergenerational exchange. 

Books mentioned:

Hair Diaries: My Hair Evolution by Kenesma D. John, Ph.D.

Support and follow our host and guest!

Follow Dr. Kenesma D. John:Instagram // Website 

Follow Marlena:Instagram // Blog  

Check out our online community here! 

This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.

Original music by Amarissa

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

Renee Powers

Renee Powers websiteRenee Powers InstagramRenee Powers Facebook

Renee Powers founded Feminist Book Club in 2018 to provide a space for intersectional feminists to learn, grow, and connect. When not reading or running the biz, you can find her drinking coffee and trying unsuccessfully to teach her retired racing greyhound how to fetch. Favorite genres: feminist thrillers, contemporary literary fiction, short stories, and anything that might be described as "irreverent"