Are you tired of looking up the name of that new hairstyle you want to try? Looking for inspo for your next hairstyle? Look no further – Afro Index has got you covered. Launched on March 1st, 2026, founder Carmahn McCalla created Afro Index to be a visual reference library where anyone can access Black hairstyles and filter them by name, making them easier to reference.
The reason why McCalla created Afro Index was that she felt like there was a misrepresentation of Black hairstyles. Oftentimes, there could be the same reference repeated over and over again without calling the hairstyle by the proper name. Even the image might lack the proper angle, making it hard to recreate.
In her words, “Afro Index is an attempt to build a structured, culturally informed reference system: one that reflects the real range, technique, and identity behind Black hair. It’s both a design project and an evolving archive, focused on improving representation through better tools. No longer will creatives have to suffer through the “Killmonger locs” era.”
The site was created for creatives, illustrators, writers, storytellers, and others who want to learn more about Black hair. While the website is still in its first release, called MVP1, users can find up to 50 hairstyles, with photos from Unsplash and Pexels credited on Afro Index.
There is a glossary of terms related to hairstyles, haircare, tools, and accessories as well. For the first release, McCalla had the intention of keeping the library “lightweight” so that the website would be user-friendly. She also has a section on the website where users can submit feedback and share ideas to improve the site’s future development.
“While I have put a lot into filling this database, I don’t claim to be the ultimate keeper of Black hair knowledge. Most of the information here comes from Black friends and family, books, prior knowledge, and research. Names and techniques can vary by region and community,” McCalla said.
Are you interested in Afro Index? Let us know in the comments!
