Grits and Eggs Podcast – Episode 135: Deante’ Kyle with Taliah Waajid (April 3, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this energetic and insightful episode, Deante’ Kyle sits down with legendary entrepreneur and natural hair care pioneer Taliah Waajid. They discuss the intersections of Black identity, community empowerment, beauty standards, pop culture’s influence, and the legacy of the World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show. Taliah shares the difficult early days of natural hair advocacy, how her brand and events uplift the Black community, and what it means to build (and keep) Black-owned companies in a capitalistic America. The episode is rich with personal stories, historical context, and practical wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Main Themes

• Black self-empowerment and community
• Natural hair advocacy/politics of beauty
• Pop culture and its impact on identity
• Business ownership, legacy, and capital
• Mental health in entrepreneurship and Black life

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why It's Important to Not Jump into Every Conversation [03:03–04:00]

• Deante’ reflects on the social pressure to always have an opinion, especially on trending topics, stressing that sometimes the best thing is to let the conversation happen without adding redundant voices.
  • "If you don't have anything new or fresh to offer the conversation, it's best to let the people who already having a conversation have it." — Deante’ [02:55]
• Taliah agrees, emphasizing the value of doing research before speaking up:
  • "If you don't know enough about it, it's like, what's the point of talking? Sound like everybody else." — Taliah [03:27]

Religion, Fear, and Black Self-Determination [05:57–07:21]

• The guests discuss how religious narratives can create passivity, especially when people are taught to “let God fix things” instead of taking action.
  • "Powerful people...play into that narrative of people sitting back and letting God take control instead of them actually getting involved." — Deante’ [05:56]
• Taliah shares the impact of being raised under Minister Farrakhan’s teachings:
  • "Black man, do for yourself. That right there...is relevant today too...Black people are understanding that no one's going to do it for you." — Taliah [06:40]

Race, Bigotry & Education [08:08–09:53]

• Deante’ believes education and experience can change bigoted minds, but notes it’s more common in the Black community to unlearn anti-Black messaging imposed by society, rather than harboring anti-Black practices internally.
• Taliah and Deante’ agree that waiting for outside validation is a losing game:
  • "I wish we knew the power that we had. It would just be amazing." — Taliah [09:43]

Intergenerational “Bad Hair/Good Hair” and Internalized Anti-Blackness [10:30–11:12]

• The persistence of terms like “bad hair” is explored, stressing how damaging they are to children’s self-esteem and the ability to build community pride.
  • "A powerful movement has to be like, people who have a high esteem of self." — Deante’ [10:50]

Black Community, Success, and the Need for Representation [12:07–13:03]

• Taliah notes the feeling of being “the only one” in a room and the importance of supporting and uplifting each other in Black spaces.

The Story of the World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show [13:04–15:58]

• Taliah is introduced formally as the founder of the Taliah Waajid brand and the World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show, now celebrating 26 years.
• Initially, it was a grassroots event for a small “back to Africa” community. Now, it is a 10,000-attendee international lifestyle event promoting natural hair, entrepreneurship, and Black empowerment.
  • "Started with about 20 booths...now we’re up to, like, 10,000 people and 200 booths." — Taliah [15:43]

Natural Hair vs. Wigs/Debate About Beauty Choices [17:49–19:32]

• Deante’ and Taliah discuss the valid reasons for wigs while pushing against the narrative that natural hair is “too hard.” Taliah stresses education and self-acceptance as the keys:
  • "Natural hair...is going to take longer...you just gotta decide you want healthy hair and take the time." — Taliah [17:49]
  • "The good thing about the girlies with the wigs is that they’re natural underneath...that’s a good thing for me." — Taliah [19:13]

Pop Culture and Trend Adoption [21:43–22:44]

• The impact of celebrities (e.g., Janet Jackson in “Poetic Justice,” Halle Berry’s pixie cut) on inspiring hair trends and normalizing natural styles is discussed.
  • "It really helps...more people are going to come to you requesting that hairstyle." — Taliah [22:17]

From Harlem to Atlanta: Urban Black Culture, Colorism, and Adaptation [26:49–28:52]

• Taliah describes moving from Harlem, NY, to Atlanta, GA, in the 1990s, and a striking realization:
  • "The colorism, it was just so blatant...I felt like black People didn't like this themselves that much down here." — Taliah [27:07]
• She adapted by embracing local customs and learning from the community.

International Influence & Hair Expressions [29:24–32:43]

• The global reach of the hair show is huge: attendees come from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada, each bringing regional styles (e.g., Senegalese twists, Caribbean locs).
• Taliah credits the African diaspora (especially early black stylists/travelers) for introducing intricate braid designs and techniques to US salons.

The Power of Hair on Identity [34:03–34:14]

• Taliah and Deante’ reflect on how dramatically a hairstyle change influences self-confidence, identity, and even personality.
  • "I think that's the most powerful thing about hair...it could change a person's whole face...their whole personality." — Deante’ [34:04]

What to Expect at the World Natural Hair Show [34:24–36:10]

• Workshops for both professionals and DIYers (braiding, hair care, styling)
• Two floors (~100,000 sq ft) packed with vendors, art exhibits, poetry, panels (including Deante’!), entertainment, health & wellness, and new AI workshops to keep things relevant.

The Journey & Philosophy Behind the Taliah Waajid Brand [36:30–44:56]

• Taliah’s brand began as a salon solution to fill a gap for natural hair products in 1996.
• She stresses the importance of listening to mentors, adapting to change (e.g., social media), and lifelong learning for entrepreneurs.
  • "Mentors are only good if you're a great student. You have to listen." — Taliah [41:57]
  • "Business is about always just knowing that you should always be in the position to learn, to want to learn more." — Taliah [44:36]

On Selling Out, Capitalism, and Purpose [45:09–50:57]

• Deante’ and Taliah talk candidly about Black-owned beauty brands selling to major corporations and the resulting dilution of quality.
• Taliah affirms her independence while acknowledging she may one day sell — but only with careful planning and a sense of legacy.
  • "Mentor told me...you should start your business with a plan to end it...as Black people, we've never been told that." — Taliah [46:01]
• The struggle: balancing family legacy, community standards, and financial opportunity.

Mental Health Advocacy & Reality of Entrepreneurship [51:29–56:07]

• Taliah shares her mother’s struggle with depression and how it informed her own mental health awareness — and the importance of giving others grace.
  • "It's very important for people to not push it off...give people grace, you never know what they're going through." — Taliah [52:31]
• Deante’ and Taliah both note that money does not erase personal or family problems:
  • "Success will not wash all your woes away..." — Deante’ [53:15]
  • "Money comes and goes...it's only good for what you need and what you want. If you're not helping the community...what’s the point?" — Taliah [53:39]

Impact Over Numbers — Why the Work Matters [56:07–59:27]

• They contrast viral metrics with real community impact, and why authentic connection always wins:
  • "The impact that it's having is the more important part than the numbers." — Deante’ [57:52]
  • "Your show has changed my life...I'm eating healthier now, I don't put chemicals in my hair..." — Taliah [59:08]
• Even years of financial struggle did not stop Taliah from running the show, because she believes in its value for community and for inspiring the next generation.

Hair Politics & Colorism — Family, Praise, and Confidence [60:09–66:50]

• Taliah and Deante’ share personal stories of witnessing how difference in hair texture and skin color led to different treatment (even in their own families), and their strategies for fighting those messages.
• Foundational self-love, instilled from childhood, is presented as the antidote to internalized negativity:
  • "Growing up [in the Nation], everything you were taught...being Black was the best thing in the world." — Taliah [65:01]
  • "I think it's very important that you serve those messages to your children when they're young." — Taliah [66:09]

Building Black Community, Navigating Respect, and Being Unapologetic [68:23–71:54]

• Deante’ advises that success does not require leaving Black neighborhoods for “more diverse” environments, referencing the grounding effect of an all-Black foundational upbringing.
• Both agree that sometimes the lesson is learning you need to work for yourself to preserve dignity and sanity in the workplace.
  • "Some people need to work for themselves." — Taliah [70:54]

Closing Segment: Show Details & Brand Plugs [72:06–73:34]

• World Natural Hair, Health and Beauty Show: April 18th & 19th at AmericasMart Building Two, Atlanta, GA. Tickets available at naturalhairshow.org
• Taliah Waajid Brand Products: Available at CVS, Walmart, beauty supply stores, and taliahwaajid.com
  • "Ingredients are the most important thing to me. We make sure that we put some really great ingredients in there." — Taliah [40:07]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Black man, do for yourself. That right there...is relevant today too...Black people are understanding that no one's going to do it for you.” — Taliah [06:40]
• "A powerful movement has to be like, people who have a high esteem of self." — Deante’ [10:50]
• "Mentors are only good if you're a great student. You have to listen." — Taliah [41:57]
• "Money comes and goes. It's only good for what you need and what you want. If you're not helping the community...what’s the point?" — Taliah [53:39]
• "The impact that it's having is the more important part than the numbers." — Deante’ [57:52]
• "It's a beautiful thing. Your show has changed my life...I'm eating healthier now, I don't put chemicals in my hair..." — Taliah [59:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:03] — Deante’ on choosing conversations & online noise
• [05:57] — Religion as control, Black autonomy
• [13:04] — Formal introduction, Taliah’s legacy, and origin of World Natural Hair Show
• [17:49] — Natural hair vs. wigs: Beauty choices and health
• [21:43] — Pop culture and hair trends: From Janet Jackson to Halle Berry
• [29:24] — International reach of the show
• [36:34] — Building and growing the Taliah Waajid Brand
• [41:54] — Importance of mentorship and learning in entrepreneurship
• [45:09] — On capital, selling out, and legacy
• [51:29] — Mental health: personal and community perspectives
• [53:39] — Wealth, family, and what really matters
• [56:07] — Impact over numbers: measuring real success
• [60:09] — Historical context of hair in Black America
• [66:09] — Childhood self-love as antidote to colorism
• [72:06] — Show details and brand plugs

Final Thoughts

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in Black entrepreneurship, advocacy, beauty politics, or the ongoing journey of reclaiming Black identity and self-celebration. Taliah’s journey and Deante’s candid commentary make this an inspiring and practical guide for building powerful movements and businesses — and for loving yourself and your community.