It’s officially protective style season. Typically, this would be my cue to schedule an appointment for box braids; however, I have my sight set on another style this spring. It’s possible that you’ve seen my next hairdo, and yours too, all over your timeline.
If you’ve come across pretty boho plaits that have an eerie resemblance to goddess locs, then you’ve seen it. You may have even thought to yourself, “Oh, these are cute” or “I want these.” but you had no clue what “these” actually were. FYI, they’re passion twist, and I want them too.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGKUtgM3vv0
Passion twists are new to the menu of protective style options, and it seems everyone wants to try them (especially me). Why? Not only are they beautiful and low maintenance, but they also look better with time–which is a good thing because I may want to rock them all summer (with proper TLC of course).
What differentiates these twist from other styles is that they look natural. According to Naturally Curly, @BohoBabe on Instagram created this look for her customers who wanted the cute Bohemian vibe, but still wanted to maintain a natural look. In other words, they were created for me.
Not to mention, like most protective styles, you can customize this look by switching up your length, color, or part. To see how, check out the passion twist styles in the gallery below.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
