The Oscars of Black Hair

Natalie Hopkinson is a Washington, D.C.-based author whose current projects deal with the arts, gender and public life. She is the author of Go-Go Live: The Musical Life and Death of a Chocolate City. Follow her on Twitter. 

The 2009 competition at the Washington Convention Center will be fierce among black stylists to see who will take home the coveted awards. Click through to see highlights from a previous Golden Scissors competition.

Photos by Marvin Joseph courtesy of GLYNN JACKSON THE AGENCY.

Steps away from the other White House, Golden Scissors Awards creator Glynn Jackson poses with models vamping in front of an air-brushed portrait of the president, Capitol and White House—and of course, a few bottles poppin' with bubbly. It's a celebration!

Read Natalie Hopkinson's piece on how to cope with black hair's Dominican invasion.

Black hair shows are about more than just hair. For the past several years, retro '80s fashions have been popular.

And with its asymmetric styles and ecstatic bursts of color, what's not to love about the '80s?

And don't forget to add an extra dose of drama.

Lash extensions and over-the-top makeup not optional.

She's the one.

The more architectural reinforcement a hairstyle needs, the better your chances are to take home a Golden Scissors trophy.

Take this exit.

Hey, does that hurt?

Hair show veteran Glynn Jackson both emcees the competition and demonstrates how to walk this way.

Go ahead Glynn, strike a pose.

And sometimes, hair is beside the point…

Does he even have any hair? Do we care?

Didn't think so.

Upgraded from the Bobby Brown, circa 1988 edition.

We prefer our models well-nourished.

Choreography runs the gamut from classical to Dirty South.

Must be the leopard print around her waist.

Feathers strategically placed.

Moving in lock-step in not-so basic black. 

Fashion soaring.

A striking contrast with the b-boys and girls behind her.

Amazing feats of athleticism from the dancers. 

Not to be confused with the Jew 'fro.

Walking, talking kaleidoscopes.

The kiss? Deadly.

This is the nation's capital, after all.

This is why they call it "Chocolate City."

Who will take home the 2009 Golden Scissors Awards? All will be revealed this Sunday, Dec. 6.

PLUS: Read about how Glynn Jackson is coping with black hair's Dominican invasion.