For years natural black hair and styles like braids, locs, and twists have been discriminated against. It was considered “unprofessional” or "distracting” in the workplace and schools. Black women with natural hairstyles on TV and in the media were also a rarity. But that’s changing. Big time.

In this episode of Now You Know, we spea k to one international journalist about her hair journey and how she’s helping to break barriers for younger generations. We also explore how and why Black women's hair got to be so stigmatised.

In this episode:

• Lukwesa Burak, (X or Instagram), News Presenter
• Lori L. Tharps, (X or Instagram), Author

Host: Samantha Johnson

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When the odds feel stacked against you, how do you come out swinging and winning? Former TV producer Sam McAlister went from working behind the scenes to hitting the headlines after securing the high-stakes interview with Prince Andrew following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. In her autobiography, Scoops, and its recent Netflix adaptation, McAlister reveals how she overcame feeling like an outsider to achieve remarkable success.

In this episode:

• Sam McAlister (X and Instagram), TV producer and Author

Host: Samantha Johnson (Instagram)

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Now You Know is a new series from Al Jazeera dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, stories, and, at times, some pretty uncomfortable topics. This is a safe space where we go all in so that by the end of each episode, you can say, 'Now I Know'.

In this conversation-driven series, we dive into topics ranging from women in film, finance, sport, health, and career ambition. We talk to women who keep the ladder down so the girls who follow in their footsteps can climb up.

Host Samantha Johnson meets people from around the world who share their experiences so that others can gain the knowledge to keep themselves healthy or be inspired to achieve their own goals.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube