In this edition of The beYOUtiful Life, we congratulate Tracee Ellis Ross, Michaela Angela Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Onyx Collective, and Hulu on its 2023 Gracie Award win for The Hair Tales. Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF), The Gracies recognize outstanding programming and individual achievement created by women, for women, and about women in all facets of media in news and entertainment.
This year’s theme, “Storytelling,” highlights and celebrates the narratives shared by the winners, which not only inform, inspire, and captivate audiences, but also enrich our collective comprehension of the world. [Source: AWMF Gracie Awards Announcement]
Created by writer-journalist Michaela Angela Davis, who shares executive producer credits with Oprah Winfrey and host Tracee Ellis Ross, The Hair Tales is a six-part docu-series currently streaming on Hulu and OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). Hulu sums up this series as “a celebration of Black women’s identity, beauty, culture and humanity, uniquely expressed through the stories in their hair. Surrounded by brilliant voices of academic and cultural leaders, gifted hairdressers, and extraordinary sisters, the series presents a collage of resilience, style, and purpose.”
Ross calls “The Hair Tales” a “love letter to Black women.”
In the Hollywood Reporter, a review of The Hair Tales notes the following:
Viewers who fall outside that core demographic may still find plenty to enjoy here, thanks to Ross’ effortless charisma, an enticing lineup of beloved stars (including Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, Chika and of course Winfrey) and an amiable tone that invites anyone curious enough to hit “play” to get sucked into its discussions. But The Hair Tales wastes little time spelling out basic concepts or justifying its own premise for clueless audiences, and it’s better for it. In a society that too often demands Black women explain or assimilate themselves for the comfort of others, the series allows its subjects to tell their stories on their own terms.
Read the entire Hollywood Reporter review here.
What do you think about The Hair Tales? Does it inspire you to love your hair? Please give it a fab or fair rating in the comments section of this post.