Isis Brantley

Isis Brantley is Founder and Master Teacher of the Institute of Ancestral Braiding. She first worked as a natural hair stylist as a teenager, and later opened a hair braiding shop in South Dallas. With more than 40 years in the natural hair care business, she has taught apprentices and students for decades and created the curriculum used in Institute of Ancestral Braiding classes. In 1997 she was arrested at her salon for braiding hair without a State license, and U.S. Judge Sam Sparks later ruled Texas braiding laws unconstitutional. She speaks about natural hair care and natural hair in the workplace at hair shows, cultural events, podcasts, campuses and church groups. Guest speaking and lecture appearances include The University of Texas at Austin, Sewanee College, Chatham University and NYU, and her work has appeared on the cover of Essence magazine. She has also run sessions at the Philly Locks Conference, Taliah Waajid's World Natural Hair Show and Nappywood, worked alongside stylists Hiddikel Burks of Chicago and Anu Prestonia of NYC, and appeared as a guest at the Black Excellence Awards and Gala in Houston. She is the author of STOLEN CROWN: Black Hairstories, 400 Years Later.