Yes, Black people can have red hair, although it is quite rare. Hair color is determined by genetics, and the gene responsible for red hair is a recessive trait. The MC1R gene controls the production of melanin, the pigment that determines hair color, skin tone, and eye color. A mutation in this gene causes the production of pheomelanin, which gives hair a red or orange hue.
While red hair is most commonly associated with people of European descent, particularly those with Celtic ancestry, it is still possible for Black individuals to carry the gene for red hair. This can occur if they have mixed ancestry, such as European or other ethnic backgrounds that contribute to the presence of the red hair gene. For example, some Black individuals with mixed heritage or those from regions like the Caribbean, where there has been a history of diverse ancestry, may have inherited the gene for red hair.
In certain cases, the red hair may appear more subtly, as it could be in combination with other hair colors, or the individual may have lighter shades of hair such as auburn or copper rather than bright red. But genetically speaking, it is indeed possible for Black people to have red hair.