Jaylene has signed a book deal with Penguin Random House for her first children's picture book, A Black Girl and Her Braids, coming January 6, 2026! You can pre-order it HERE! Her debut book of poetry, AfroPoetic, is available NOW! You can purchase signed copies, JCO Merch inspired by her EP, "A Black Girl and Her Hair," and other merchandise, by visiting the Shop page. Catch Jaylene live at her upcoming Open Mic at The Wilma Theater on Monday, June 23, at 7PM. Listen or watch Jaylene on her #PoppaPank podcast. Stream her EP, "A Black Girl and Her Hair," on all major platforms. Jaylene is currently starring in the PBS show, "Albie's Elevator," on WHYY! Visit the Upcoming page for more information and to find out where you can catch Jaylene next!
"A Black Girl and Her Braids" is officially available for PRE-ORDER! Based on Jaylene's viral poem of the same name, braids of all lengths, looks, parts, and styles are explored and cheered on in this vibrant picture book celebrating the versatility of Black hair. Braids of all lengths, colors, and styles are brought to life with detailed illustrations from Brittney Bond, crafting a timeless book which honors creativity, encourages confidence, and calls for Black girls to proudly show off their braids no matter what! It's the Jaylene Clark Owens spoken word poetry you know and love, as a picture book for kids!
Pre-orders help boost visibility, show demand, support bestseller lists, and ensure "A Black Girl and Her Braids" reaches as many young readers as possible! Ordering now makes a big difference so grab your copy today!
Actress
Jaylene Clark Owens is an AUDELCO and Barrymore Award winning actress. She is a member of The Wilma Theater's resident acting company, HotHouse. She has been seen in Fairview (The Wilma Theater), WHITE (Theatre Horizon), Passage (The Wilma Theater).
Jaylene is also a highly acclaimed, award-winning spoken word poet. Her poetry has resonated with millions through her viral poems, and thousands through her live performances. Her skills as a writer have extended to playwriting and children's literature. Visit the Poetry page to learn more about her spoken word poetry.
