What do braids, cornrows and Bantu knots have to do with the news?

By: Tracey Compton, Indianapolis Public Editor

Outlets: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published: September 30, 2026

Words: 1,699

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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Black journalists on TV have had to think about their appearance on air in ways that other journalists do not. In August 2020, broadcast journalist Jalea Brooks knew she needed to have an uncomfortable conversation with her news director about her hair. She had been working in Montgomery, Ala. for nearly four years and wanted to wear a new style on air: braids.

Previously, a white manager in Montgomery pulled Brooks aside and …

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