“Love your hair, Love yourself.” – Venesse Lewis.

A few weeks ago, I connected with the Author of Niya’s Coily World, Venesse Lewis, to learn about her book “Niya Hatten! Let’s get those coils crowned in Satin!” and how she aims to inspire young kids with her platform “Niya’s Coily World.” Below is a detailed summary of my Q&A with Venesse.

What is the inspiration behind the platform “Niya’s Coily World”?

The inspiration behind Niya’s Coily World came from my personal experiences and challenges embracing my own natural hair. Storytelling allows me to make space for sharing my journey and passion for celebrating coily, kinky hair that’s so often overlooked. I wanted to create a space where Black kids could see themselves, love their natural textures, and feel empowered. It’s about flipping the script on beauty standards and making coily hair the star of the show. Plus, I’m all about educating the next generation on how to care for their crowns!

What was your inspiration for the book?

The book was inspired by my own journey with natural hair. I grew up thinking I didn’t fit in because of my coils and there were very few stories or role models that actually represented my hair type. I wanted to change that for the next generation. So, Niya’s Coily World was born to give kids a fun, vibrant way to learn about their hair, while reminding them that their texture is beautiful, versatile, and magical!

What challenges do you face as an author?

One challenge is navigating brand visibility in a crowded market. As a small business, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. I overcame this by focusing on storytelling that resonates with my audience and building strong relationships through partnerships and community engagement. 

What’s your aim for the book?

The aim is simple: I want Niya’s Coily World to be a mirror for kids with textured hair. I want them to feel seen, celebrated, and empowered. Beyond that, I hope the book sparks conversations about hair care, self-love, and confidence. It’s more than just a story—it’s a movement to embrace natural hair in all its glory.

What is the target audience for the book?

The book is for all the coily queens and kings out there—ages 5 and up! But it’s also for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to instill a sense of pride and self-love in their children when it comes to their natural hair. The message of Niya’s Coily World is universal: love your hair, love yourself.

When did you begin your writing journey?

I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, but my writing journey officially began when I realized how much representation matters. I wanted to create something that the younger version of me could’ve held onto—a story that says, “Hey, your hair is magic, your culture is beautiful, and your uniqueness is your strength.” That realization pushed me to pick up the pen and bring Niya’s Coily World to life.

What is your passion when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m all about building community and boosting hair confidence. I love hosting fun, interactive workshops where we connect kids and parents with texture stylists in a way that’s engaging and empowering. These sessions go beyond hair—they’re about celebrating our culture, building self-esteem, and sharing the beauty of coily and kinky textures.

I’m also a big fan of experimenting with new hairstyles! There’s always something exciting to learn and try, and I love pushing the boundaries of what textured hair can do. It’s all part of embracing and loving our natural crowns.

What’s next for you as a writer? What are you excited about in the near future?

I’m super excited about expanding Niya’s Coily World book series – we are gearing up to launch the second book! I’m also working on collaborations with hair care brands to create products that align with the message of the book. The goal is to create an entire ecosystem of education, play, and self-love around coily hair. So, stay tuned!

Where do you see Niya’s Coily World in 5 years?

I see Niya’s Coily World becoming the go-to name for hair care education and representation. I want to see our books in schools and in the hands of kids globally, and more collaborations with brands that truly care about textured hair. Ultimately, the vision is to keep rolling out that red carpet, creating a platform where coily and kinky hair is always front and center.

We have some game-changing plans in store, but you’ll have to stay tuned to see how we elevate the love for natural hair even further!

You can keep up with Venesse’s activities on her Instagram page and check out her books on her website. You can also preview this CTV featuring Venesse here.

As always, you can keep up with all the fun happenings in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area on efosa.