Premiering February 14 - March 1st at Manos Sagrados
Happy 2B Nappy: Our Hair Story
Written & Directed by Kenya Mahogany
Happy 2B Nappy: Our Hair Story is a vibrant theatrical celebration that traces the rich and complex journey of Black hair in America through dynamic storytelling, dance, and poetry. Centered around the loving wisdom of G-ma, a spirited grandmother, the play unfolds as she shares the profound history and meaning of Black hair with her granddaughter Kayla and Kayla’s best friend Hanna. Struggling with shame and teasing at school because of her natural hair, Kayla finds solace and pride as G-ma’s stories transport the audience across time, revisiting iconic Black hair moments from braids and conk styles to the boldness of Afro puffs and curls. Each vignette reveals the resilience, challenges, and cultural victories woven into the tapestry of Black hair.
The journey culminates in a joyous celebration of self-love and heritage, as Kayla learns to embrace the beauty and power of her natural hair, empowered by the ancestral knowledge and love passed down through G-ma’s tales.
This production was selected for the Control Group Productions’ Guest Artist Producing (GAP) Initiative.
Lead Artist: Kenya Mahogany
Kenya Mahogany Fashaw is a Denver-based theater artist, cultural advocate, and storyteller
whose work celebrates and elevates Black narratives. As an actress, director, playwright,
spoken word performer, and educator, she views storytelling as a sacred tool for liberation and
transformation. She founded Black Artists Amplified to empower youth and community voices
through healing and expressive arts. Her award-winning play Colorism: Breaking the Chains of
Complexion exemplifies her commitment to confronting internalized oppression and honoring
Black beauty. Kenya’s performances span Colorado stages—from Toni Stone at Aurora Fox to
Confederates at Curious Theatre—and her spoken word legacy with Slam Nuba lives on
through events like House of Poetry, where she fuses rhythm, resistance, and revelation.
