In early 1950s Cleveland, Christina Jenkins, a skilled Black hairdresser, was frustrated by the limitations of hairpieces. Pins slipped, adhesives damaged hair, and wigs looked unnatural. Drawing on her training and African braiding traditions, she invented a revolutionary sew-in weave: cornrow the natural hair, create a stable foundation, and stitch wefts of hair securely onto it. The result was natural-looking, durable, and protective for the hair underneath.
In 1952, she received U.S. Patent No. 2,621,663 for the “Hair Weaving Process,” becoming one of the few Black women patent holders of her time. Jenkins taught her method to stylists nationwide and eventually internationally, transforming hairstyling for Black women and creating economic opportunities for countless others.
Today, the global hair extension and weave industry is worth billions, yet her name is often absent from mainstream beauty history. Christina Jenkins’ invention laid the foundation for modern weave techniques, empowering women to protect their natural hair while experimenting with styles, and proving that Black women were innovators, inventors, and business leaders long before the industry recognized them.
Every modern sew-in, every track, every protective style traces back to Christina Jenkins’ vision—a legacy that deserves recognition and celebration.