Compost, Cotton & Cornrows
Compost, Cotton & Cornrows is a podcast centering Black sustainability leaders across fashion, agriculture, wellbeing and beyond. Through storytelling, culture, and climate conversations, the show explores how ancestral wisdom and modern practices can cultivate regenerative futures. Hosted by Dominique Drakeford, each episode unearths powerful insights that shift the narrative of environmental justice.
Compost, Cotton & Cornrows
Episode 11 | 30-Inch Buss Down or Fresh Braids? Dr. Raven Baxter on the Toxic Truth Behind Synthetic Hair
We love a fresh set of braids—but at what cost? Science has spoken: synthetic hair is harming Black bodies and the planet, and Dr. Raven Baxter is here to break it all the way down. In this episode, we unravel the tangled intersection of science, culture, and sustainability to confront the hard truths: How do we divest from harmful beauty practices while honoring our history? What does it mean to take up space in both science and sustainability? And most importantly, how do we build a legacy that protects our future?
From the unsung Black scientists who fought to expose the toxic reality of synthetic hair to the deeper connections between beauty, wellness, and self-worth—this conversation is a wake-up call wrapped in love. Dr. Baxter keeps it real on why it’s time for the Black community to release what doesn’t serve us—from stress to synthetic braiding hair—and reclaim rituals that uplift both our bodies and our legacy.
With a fierce blend of science, culture, and sustainability, we’re peeling back the layers of chemical warfare hidden in our beauty routines and taking bold steps toward collective healing. It’s time to rewrite the narrative and reimagine Black culture—because our well-being is worth far more than a flawless install.
Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!
@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows