If you’ve never heard of Headwraps and Lipsticks: The Podcast, your first thought may be that it’s a makeup podcast centered around women. But it’s quite the contrary. This podcast is composed of a lively duo, Sierra Tribble and Sharelle Burt.
Sierra is a lover of headwraps, hailing from Philadelphia with a heart for the community. Sharelle, the lover of lipsticks, hails from New York and is all about the culture. They’ve gained loyal listeners over the last three years, and drop episodes weekly discussing everything from politics to pop culture.
The show debuted in 2017 without a name, but shortly after they decided to fuse the two things they love together—headwraps and lipsticks. The women have spent most of the last few years recording from home, but it’s time to take things up a notch.
Sierra and Sharelle are currently in the beginning stages of raising capital for a new creative space, not only for their show but for all creatives of color in Charlotte.
Talks of finding a space started a year ago, when the ladies interviewed people from the local art community and asked what was missing for creatives to truly thrive. They received feedback from fellow podcasters E. Dub of Who Got Next Podcast and Jasmine Miles of Ensoulmedia, and both suggested that the city needed a creative space. Charlotte-based Josh Galloway provided some additional insight which really helped pull the idea together.
“It’s been a work in progress.” Sharelle Burt told The Block. “The final straw for me that made me say we have to do this, was when we decided to rent out a local studio and invited our guest speakers to record there. We had used this studio in the past, but this time everything went wrong.”
When the group arrived for their 6 pm recording, the power was out. There was no one around to assist, no email to connect with, or anyone to provide solutions. They were left outside with no access or point of reference. The biggest issue was the paid studio time that was lost, and the embarrassment of having guests accompany them and waste their time.
“I wondered why there was no one around to assist after hours. It wasn’t late and there were people in the coworking space, but no one in the studio to help us. I realized that we needed our own [space] to make sure this never happens again.”
On several occasions, Sierra recalls not feeling welcomed in certain local spaces, in addition to other personal sentiments such as sound quality and studio environments.
”It’s all about being represented.” Sierra Tribble said to The Block. “The coworking spaces in Charlotte almost seem ashamed of us using their podcast spaces. If these spaces are as welcoming as they say they are, why hasn’t it been shown?”
There is an unspoken desire for many creatives in the city to feel seen and welcomed, and to have the locations they utilize show up for them when needed.
“This space that we are creating is more than just a name, this is for everyone,” Sierra said. “It will not only be a podcast studio. but the “ultimate creative space.””
The ladies want to create a space where creatives are not ashamed to ask for help, and know they will be supported when using their location. Support comes in many forms, and the ladies of Headwraps and Lipsticks want to redefine what that looks like in Charlotte.
“There’s an insider culture in Charlotte where inclusivity is preached heavily, but if you’re not in the “in crew” it’s not really that inclusive,” Sharelle said. “People will reach out to say they support what you do, but then want to use what you have to get ahead. “
“They want to attach their name to your projects and then call it support,” Sierra recalls from personal experience. “We have to change that because that’s not how it works. Attaching your name to what someone else is doing is not collaboration, but just finding a way to benefit.”
In this ultimate creative space, they plan to provide resources needed to streamline the editing process for podcasts, as well as information needed to ensure podcasters are successful in their endeavors.
“We would love to assist that new mom and take care of editing when she may not have the time to do it with a newborn and husband,” Sharelle said enthusiastically. “We want to assist the artist who comes in and may need a photographer or website designed. We will refer them to professional people that we know within the community, and make things easier for everyone.”
In order to bring this idea and dream together, it’s going to take hella support from the community. The ladies have set up a GoFundMe account where people can donate, or you can donate directly to the podcast’s cashapp: $headwrappod.
Any amount helps, and simply sharing the campaign can go a long way as well. These women see what’s missing in this city, and plan to be the ones to bring it to fruition.
To learn more about Headwraps and Lipsticks: The Podcast, you can follow them on Instagram at: @headwrapsandlipsticks.
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Hasheem Halim
very important. Space is a necessity for building a strong culture in this city. We really need to coalesce as a community for this. Perhaps reaching out to churches with room to spare to establish space would be a good idea.
Vivian Page
Absolutely! We are sharing this information with many around the city of Charlotte so that this campaign is successful. As we continue to strengthen our community, the resources will align.