Hairitage Talks

About Hairitage Talks

Welcome to "Hairitage: Celebrating Hair and Culture in Transracial Adoption," a light-hearted and engaging podcast hosted by Luke Mitchell and Tamekia Swint, Executive Director of Styles 4 Kidz. In this podcast, we delve into important and informative discussions that revolve around the unique experiences of parents and children in the transracial adoptive, foster, and biracial community. Our focus? The beautiful connection between black hair and culture. Join us as we navigate this exciting journey, providing a platform for parents and children to explore and learn about the significance of hair within the context of culture and identity. Through our lively conversations, we aim to highlight the diverse hair care needs, challenges, and triumphs within the transracial adoption community. With Luke's humor and TRA (Transracial Adoptee) perspective and Tamekia's expertise as an advocate for children's hair care, we offer a blend of personal experiences, expert insights, and practical tips to support parents and empower children. Whether you're seeking advice on hair care routines, discussing cultural heritage, exploring the impact of hair on self-esteem, or simply looking for a good laugh and heartfelt stories, "Hairitage" is your go-to resource. Tune in as we embrace the joy of hair and culture, celebrating the richness of diversity and strengthening the bond within the transracial adoptive, foster, and biracial community. Let's embark on this educational and entertaining journey together! Remember to subscribe and join us for each episode as we explore the beautiful world of hair and culture in transracial adoption. Follow Styles 4 Kidz on YouTube and Instagram for live clips and videos.

Publisher

Tamekia Swint, Luke Mitchell

Category

education · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Jul 2023

Latest episode

17 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Nov 2025

   Hairitage Talks S3 Ep2: Identity, Adoption & Belonging: A Real Conversation with Isaac Etter

   Isaac Etter, adoptee and founder of Identity and Parenting Different, discusses his experiences with adoption, race, and parenting, emphasizing the importance of making children feel seen and valued in this interview.

2. 

   14 Sept 2025

   Hairitage Talks S3: The Mixed Life: Parenting Wisdom with Dr. Jennifer Noble

   Tamekia Swint interviews Dr. Jennifer Noble about the unique challenges and opportunities in raising mixed-race and transracially adopted children, offering parents guidance on fostering identity and belonging.

3. 

   10 Jun 2025

   Hairitage Talks S2 Ep 4: Empowering Foster Youth - Advocacy, Change, and Care in Illinois

   Christina Wolken and Jamika Smith discuss youth advocacy efforts in Illinois, highlighting the challenges and needs of foster youth, especially regarding hair care in transracial placements, in this interview.

4. 

   12 Feb 2025

   Hairitage Talks S2 Ep 3: Black History, Identity, and the Transracial Adoption Experience

   It’s Black History Month! In this episode, Tamekia Swint talks with Lanise Antoine Shelley, a transracial adoptee, about her experience with Black History, her connection to it, and the development of identity growing up!

5. 

   11 Nov 2024

   Hairitage Talks S2 Ep 2: Embracing Identity and Belonging

   In honor of National Adoption Month, we share two powerful stories of love, healing, identity, and belonging from adoptees Kiante Conger and Tony Parsons. In this very special episode, Kiante and Tony offer heartfelt insights into growing up as part of transracial adoptive families. Together with the show's co-host, Luke Mitchell, transracial adoptee, they explore how their experiences shaped their racial identities and the lasting impact on their lives today. Join us as they discuss the evolving importance of hair care and its cultural significance while also addressing key moments in their lives where they sought emotional support and counseling as adoptees. This conversation provides a rare glimpse into the joys and challenges of navigating life in a transracial adoptive community, both during childhood and as adults. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear their stories firsthand as they reflect on what it means to find identity and belonging in the embrace of family and culture.

6. 

   28 Oct 2024

   Hairitage Talks S2 Ep 1: Back to School

   In this episode, Tamekia Swint speaks with Alifia Young (Licensed Cosmetologist -An Empowering Educator-Curly-Coily Specialist, K18 Pro Educator) and Danielle Sanders (Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Youth Care) as they explore the historical significance of hair in Black culture, focusing on how European culture has shaped American beauty standards. Did you know that in Black Culture, the way that you choose to wear your hair serves as a form of cultural identity and self-expression? They will discuss how American beauty standards and the media's representation of hair, impacts children's self-esteem.

7. 

   27 May 2024

   Hairitage Talks: HB 5097

   Tamekia Swint speaks with Loyola University's Chicago School of Law, law and social justice professor Anita Weinberg, Jocelyn Fetting, an aspiring intern for the IDCFS Statewide Youth Advisory Board, and Ni'Yuana Baker, intern for the central region of the Illinois Statewide Youth Advisory Board, about the HB 5097 bill. A call to action by the DCFS Statewide Youth Advisory Board to help youth maintain their connection to culture and identity while in foster care through proper hair care. For more information on the Youth Advisory Board: dcfs.illinois.gov/brighter-futures/independence/ statewide-youth-advisory-board.html Contact Anita Weinberg at aweinbe@luc.edu to initiate a bill like HB 5097 in your state.

8. 

   13 Apr 2024

   Hairitage Talks: Black History Month

   Tamekia Swint speaks with transracial adoptive mom Roxanne Engstrom and Lydia Mercer, an advocate for others in the racial (Un)Learning space, about hair discrimination, racism, and advocacy. Black hairstyling and its caring methods protect the culture, traditions, and hair protective rights of every Black person who would wear them. - Tamekia Swint

9. 

   8 Nov 2023

   Hairitage Talks: National Adoption Month

   Welcome to Hairitage Talks! In this episode, hosts Tamekia Swint and Luke Mitchell talk with Transracial Adoptees Sisay Girma and Monisha Hendrix about their different experiences growing up in predominately white communities. Watch this episode on YouTube to join the discussion! https://youtu.be/AgQ-kuNt38g Follow @Styles4KidzNFP @mitchbluke @hairitagetalks on Instagram and Facebook

10. 

    11 Sept 2023

    Hairitage Talks: Back to School

    Welcome to Hairitage Talks! In this episode, hosts Tamekia Swint and Luke Mitchell talk with Rhonda Chandler, CEO/Founder of Lovin' The Skin I'm In (Green Bay, WI), about the fears and emotional struggles of transracial/foster kids feeling good, confident, and ready for school.  Watch the episode on YouTube to join the discussion! https://youtu.be/Y-JAsGyQSUQ?si=M-ApmgHw1scD5f5- Follow @Styles4KidzNFP @mitchbluke @hairitagetalks @lovinmyskinwi on Instagram and Facebook

11. 

    11 Jul 2023

    Hairitage Talks: Intro

    Welcome to Hairitage Talks! In this first episode, Tamekia Swint, Executive Director of Styles 4 Kidz talks with co-host Luke Mitchell about the struggles of growing up in a transracial adoptive family and not fitting in with his Black culture. Watch the episode on Youtube to join the discussion! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ckSfRU-gM Questions? Comments? Follow - https://www.instagram.com/hairitagetalks/ https://www.instagram.com/styles4kidznfp/ https://www.instagram.com/mitchbluke/ https://www.facebook.com/styles4kidz/

Who has been a guest on Hairitage Talks

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Isaac Etter
• Dr Jennifer Noble
• Christina Wolken
• Jamika Smith

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

444

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

14

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

0

Contact Hairitage Talks

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.