The stylists behind Michelle Obama’s most memorable looks discuss representation, education, and changing the narrative around Black hair in professional spaces
Yene Damtew and Njeri Radway have crafted some of the most iconic beauty moments in modern history. As the talented stylists behind Michelle Obama’s stunning looks, from her White House years to her current post-administration era, they’ve helped shape how Black women see themselves in professional spaces. Featured in The Look, Michelle Obama’s powerful creation of style, identity, and confidence, these two artists share their journey and vision for Black beauty.
How does your personal background shape the way you approach hair as art and storytelling?
Yene Damtew: I’m of Ethiopian American descent, and when I think about hair and how my culture has influenced styling, it’s more about making sure we’re educating our clients and making them feel beautiful and have confidence in whatever style they choose to wear.
NJeri Radway: Me being of Jamaican background, I have always been a natural girly. Just growing up being natural and embracing that side of me, I encourage all my clients to embrace such sides.
How did you each first meet Mrs. Obama? What was the moment like where you realized this is history?
Damtew: I first met Mrs. Obama in April 2009 as executive assistant to Johnny Wright, one of her premier exclusive hairstylists during the White House days. Johnny and I had known each other from California, and when he relocated to DC, he offered me a position as his assistant.
Radway: I was recruited by Yene to work under Johnny Wright as his assistant. Me and Yene met through a mutual friend some years prior, and she thought of me when looking for a new assistant. I came in and I’ve been around ever since, since 2010.
Is there one Michelle Obama hair moment where you both went, yep, we’ve changed the game?
Radway: For me, it was when she transitioned into the curly natural hair phase. That was my wow moment. Us natural girlies are being seen. Representation matters.
Damtew: One of my favorite looks was during the Light We Carry book tour in Atlanta with the Tyler Perry show. She had this track jacket on, and it was a half up, half down. In this post life, she’s having a lot more fun, she’s a lot more playful. The freedom that has come is something I absolutely love. It was more about what was relatable to the everyday woman. You saw more of Michelle and her personality as a girl from the south side of Chicago. That translated to clients being like, I want to try that, I could do that. It changed the narrative around hair.
What does it mean to have your work and voices preserved in The Look?
Damtew: A lot of the years Mrs. Obama was in the limelight, myself and Njeri did the work and were in the shadows. More than anything, just to have the validation and recognition from Michelle directly means everything.
Radway: Being in the background for so long, just doing what we love, being artists and educated cosmetologists, that alone was good enough. Now that we are being recognized for our hard work, it’s a humbling experience. It’s the cherry on top.
The braids and long bobs broke the internet. What reactions still make you smile?
Radway: People being excited and celebrating the fact that someone who looks like them is finally being seen. Walking into conservative spaces, they put us into this box where the dimensions don’t fit. It’s great knowing people who look like us are finally being seen and celebrated. Finally, someone is showing up as themselves.
Damtew: There was a rite of passage with the nation feeling like women of color, particularly Black women, feeling like, I can do that. This can still be acceptable in a corporate space. The versatility we’re showing with her allows women to know you could still have fun and be conservative and keep the integrity of your hair.
What’s next in hair for 2026?
Damtew: Hair care is the focus. Simplified beauty is definitely in. People want attainable beauty that’s easy to replicate at home. You’re seeing more people concerned about hair health as opposed to length retention. People are just going back to simplicity.
Radway: Not just hair care, also healthcare. It’s more about just the health of it all and not so much a trendy cut or look.
What change do you hope your work sparks for young stylists entering beauty spaces?
Damtew: I hope the next generation understands the value of their contribution to this beauty industry. We study chemistry, chemicals, the chart of elements, electricity. There’s so much that goes into being a licensed professional. Classical education and formal training is what’s going to lay the foundation.
Radway: Education is key. I would encourage you to go to cosmetology school, get that formal education, get classically trained. Sanitation and disinfection play a factor in taking care of your people.
What do you hope your legacy will be?
Damtew: My purpose in life has always been to be of service to others, and hair is the vehicle which allows me to do that. I hope people could say, I learned something, she taught me how to be comfortable with who I am. I hope whatever I teach my clients, they share with the next generation.
Radway: I want young ladies and young men that come after us to continue to push that envelope, kick down doors, and be unapologetically Black. Continue to take up space and know that you are enough. Natural hair locks or braids is no different from loose hair. Just because it’s matted or entangled does not mean it’s unprofessional. It’s professional.
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