Courtney Johnson had walked into Jefferson Middle School that Tuesday morning feeling lighter than air. She had spent the entire weekend at her Aunt Evelyn’s house, where they laughed, talked, and did Courtney’s hair—neat, tight braids, each finished with colorful beads that clicked softly when she moved. They were more than a hairstyle. They were a connection—to her culture, her family, her identity. And Courtney couldn’t wait to show them off.
