Wash Day Diaries

The title of the book comes from a shared experience among Black women everywhere - the wash day ritual. It's that day when you set aside everything else to spend a whole day washing, conditioning, and nourishing your hair. Each short story uses these hair routines to give you a window into the everyday lives of these four characters and how they take care of each other.

Originally kickstarted by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith, the book includes a full-color version of their critically acclaimed, award-winning mini comic, Wash Day. It was inspired by Rowser's own wash day routine and their shared desire for more comics showcasing the daily experiences of young Black women. Now, Wash Day Diaries expands on Kim's story, a 26-year-old woman living in the Bronx, and introduces new characters in a graphic novel format.

As they dive into the lives of Kim and her friends, the authors celebrate Black sisterhood by capturing shared yet deeply personal experiences of Black hair care. Whether it's moments of self-care, chatting at a lengthy salon appointment, or healing family conflicts, the stories come to life with beautifully drawn characters and different color palettes reflecting the mood in each tale.

Sometimes touching, quiet, triumphant, and laugh-out-loud funny, the stories in Wash Day Diaries lovingly pay tribute to Black joy and the strength of Black women.