The afro, bold and political like activist Angela Davis. Locs swinging free like Bob Marley. Black hair has a long storied history of effortlessly making a statement in its natural state. One Harlem teacher is determined to continue the tradition and knowledge of natural hair care among her students at Patrick Henry Preparatory School’s Natural Hair Club.
Jade Lambert, 30, is a fourth grade teacher at Patrick Henry (P.S. 171) in Harlem. She founded the hair club and has run it for the last two years. More than a beauty program, this club honors the deep cultural importance of hair in Black communities.
“Hair, Black hair specifically, is very community centered,” said Lambert, “Normally little girls aren’t going home and doing their own hair. They need help from a parent or an aunt. So since it’s community based, it’s about starting conversations. They understand their hair, but also the adults can too.”
The club has 15 Black and Brown girls who meet twice a week for about an hour and a half. The students that attend get natural hair education where they learn how to care for their own hair, identify different hair textures and types; create detangling, wash, and style routines; and practice protective styles using provided hair. By teaching these skills to 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, the program empowers students to embrace the uniqueness of their hair while preserving a tradition that has been passed down for generations.
Photos contributed by the NYC Department of Education
Two students get creative, adding pink yarn and earrings to their hair model at the P.S. 171 natural hair care club in March 2026. 
Student shows off her work. 
Young student poses with her mannequin head at the P.S. 171 natural hair care club in March 2026. 
Teacher Jade Lambert with her natural hair club students. 
P.S. 171 teachers with the natural hair club students. Credit: Photo contributed by the NYC Department of Education 
Student focused on practicing parting on her mannequin. 
Student brushing mannequin’s head. 
Two natural hair club attendees smile for the camera. 
One student attempts braids on her doll.
“When I became a teacher, I noticed girls that have the same identity as me, and along with the same identity are…sometimes insecure in our hair, so once I noticed that in my students, it was natural for me to show them different things,” said Lambert.
Lambert said that hair care isn’t something that always came easily for her. She spent many years as an adult learning to take care of her curls, helping her family do their hair when she could. Now her natural hair is a point of pride and a means to have autonomy in the world, having learned how to grow and maintain it. The same is true for many of her students.
“I had a student who came in for picture day without her hair done and she was distraught, so I just like quickly did something for her hair. And I think from that point I was like this is something that shouldn’t be thought of as isolated outside of school, this is something we care about inside school, especially when it comes to presenting yourself,” said Lambert. “Once that happened, we formed a connection.”
The school’s Principal Aharon Schultz helped fund the hair club in its first year, and then Lambert secured an identity club-based grant through the city’s Department of Education (DOE) for its second year.
“Natural Hair Club is a space where students are able to come together to celebrate their natural beauty, build confidence, and learn to care for their hair with pride,” said the school in a statement. “Through conversations, hands-on activities, and community building, we explore the history and significance of natural hair while embracing what makes them unique. For many of our girls, the club is more than just about hair — it’s about identity, self-love, and representation. It gives them a place to feel seen, supported, and proud to wear their crowns every day.”