African American Women in Corporate America talk transitioning, natural hair myths and false perceptions. Check out the view and chime in.
Author and Fellow Natural Hair blogger Chris-Tia Donaldson visited Houston. She talked a little about her experiences as a natural professional. In discussion, Donaldson posed some thought provoking questions that she herself has explored in her book, Thank God I’m Natural. The natural hair community is aware of the negative misconceptions and myths centered around [...]
My Black is Beautiful Houston brought a vast group together
for the purpose of simply celebrating the beauty of
our uniqueness & individuality. Natural Hair Rules!!! was
delighted to be apart of the movement that exemplified
U-N-I-T-Y.
Saturday, September 11, 2010 My Black is Beautiful (MBIB) Live came to the H!!! Yes!!! And the women of Houston and surrounding areas showed up and showed out!!! Many ladies lined up at Reliant Center to enter the convention hall to receive MBIB tote bags from the beautiful smiling faces of the MBIB volunteer staff. The hall was filled with positive energy. Each guest had the opportunity to receive free pampering sessions that included massages, manicures, facials, makeovers hair styling & more. There was also a model search for the New Faces of My Black is Beautiful. Congratulations to Miko Taylor who was selected as 1 of 8 semi-finalist for Houston. Miko Taylor is a personal friend and fellow naturalista of Natural Hair Rules.
Tracey Ferguson, Editor In Chief of Jones Magazine welcomed and announced the Jones Awards which will be presented by My Black is Beautiful that will honor Sam Fine of Sam Fine Beauty, Byron Lars of Byron Lars Beauty Mark, & Sessilee Lopez!
The event featured performances from a Hip-Hop pioneer and Soul Star. MC Lyte got the crowd dancing to some of the latest music and songs that took us back. Ladies for all generation came together in front of the stage to form a “Soul Train” line. And they didn’t stop there. MC Lyte turned the heat up by playing the “Cupid Shuffle” and “The Wobble”. R&B Singer Leela James educated the crowd on “Soul Music”. “Music with verses that had substance” James exclaimed. I’m still giddy because I was invited to dance on the stage with both Leela James & MC Lyte. African Dancer, KarmaSoul performed a traditional dance that exhibited the origin of many of our Hip Hop dances. The event also included live entertainment from local singers & musicians. I don’t have to tell you, Saturday was a blast. You can see for yourself here.
Black Women were pampered, encouraged and united!!! My Black is Beautiful Live Houston was filled with beauty of all shades, shapes and hair types. Simply Beautiful!!! Until next time!!!
More Information about My Black Is Beautiful
Procter & Gamble’s My Black is Beautiful program was created to celebrate African-American beauty and to encourage black women and young girls to define and promote their own beauty standard. One of the goals of the My Black is Beautiful initiative is to inspire and encourage future generations to adopt a new mind-set for viewing themselves and uplift the way African-Americans are portrayed in society. The integrated, multibrand initiative is supported by Crest Pro-Health, Pantene®, CoverGirl Queen Collection, Olay Definity, Always and Tampax.
![27814_401446293527_54822058527_4448279_4646262_n[14]](http://www.naturalhairrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/27814_401446293527_54822058527_4448279_4646262_n14.jpg "27814_401446293527_54822058527_4448279_4646262_n[14]")
About a year ago, newly natural Kourtney sent me a message requesting advice. She had encounter what many of us who have made the decision to go natural encounter; friends and family members reinforce some of society’s negative stereotypes. I believe these stereotypes, myths or misconception at one time possessed some validity but not in [...]
Natural Hair Rules!!! is compiling a natural hair stylist directory!!!
Who is your stylist? Where are they located? Please include contact & specializing info. You may post a comment or email your stylist information to info@naturalhairrules.com. Thank you!
If your looking for a stylist check out Kinnk’s Online Directory http://www.naturalhaironline.com/directory/salons/
Display Name Gehrrie D. Bellamy
Age (or age range): 28
Degrees: Bachelor of Arts – Political Science; Juris Doctorate
Industry: Legal
Title: Attorney
Questions
1. Based on your profession and corporate culture, what were your primary concerns about wearing natural hair in the workplace? How did you overcome them?
I never had a concern about wearing my hair natural. My primary concern was looking old enough to represent my clients in court. I have a natural youthful look, and wearing afros, braid-outs, kinky-twists, etc., only made me look younger. I needed a look that would allow me to look professional, and also look mature. Therefore, I decided to loc my hair, and haven’t looked back since.
2. How did your co-workers, clients and boss respond when you revealed your new do?
Everyone loved my locs, including my clients! What I have noticed is that clients appreciate the look because it shows that I’m different and don’t subscribe to the norms of what “normal” hair should look like. Also, I believe that locs, and generally natural hair, is a confidence booster, and clients can sense that.
3. Has your performance been rewarded since you’ve been natural? If not, do you believe your hair has been a factor? Any regrets?
My only regret about getting locs now is that I should have gotten them sooner! I believe that my performance has been rewarded in that I no longer have to spend 30 minutes doing my hair, as I once did even when I used to wear it in all of the cute styles once I did the big chop. Wearing my hair in locs has afforded me the opportunity to literally get up and go, without so much as touching my hair.
4. What advice would you offer a professional peer who’s on the fence about going natural?
I would first state to be realistic about what you want to do with your hair. When I was relaxed, I HATED doing my hair. I hated doing it, getting it done, maintaining it, etc. I thought that by going natural, I would alleviate the need to have to do my hair. That was so not the case, especially as a trial attorney. We have a very polished image to maintain, and the cute twist and/or twist-out styles were out of the question, unless you have a twa or extremely long hair. Therefore, I had to really evaluate what style could I get where I would literally never have to touch my hair except to wash it. Locs were the answer!
As a professional, it is all about maintenance when it comes to locs. Many were concerned that they would look unkempt or dirty. I moisturize my hair often, and tie them down every single night, even if I’m going to get them re-twisted the next day. I also wash once every other week and get them re-twisted twice a month. The result has been well-groomed locs which frankly look better than when my hair was relaxed.
If locs are too permanent for you, I would suggest either wearing natural hair closely cropped, or a style that will allow you to tie your hair down to keep your hair close to your head until it grows out longer, like coils, braids, twists, etc. The more your hair is allowed to “roam free”, the harder it is to look mature and polished. This is not to say that it can’t be done, but I got so frustrated every time a client would ask how long I’ve been licensed; how old I am; state that they had grandchildren older than me, etc. At the end of the night, it is a matter of personal preference, but I would not say under any circumstances that being natural is a hindrance in the legal community, or the professional realm as a whole.
Display Name Ms. Silky Coils (blogspot), efficient1 (twitter) or Lainey May (facebook)
Age (or age range): i’m a PROUD 30 yr old. lol
Degrees: BA in Special and Elementary Education and MA in Higher Education Administration, SOON pursuing a Doctorate
Industry: Education, Consulting
Title: Director, Student Diversity Programs
Questions
1. Based on your profession and corporate culture, what were your primary concerns about wearing natural hair in the workplace? How did you overcome them?
Honestly, all those who see me in my work environment knew me with long STRAIGHT luxurious HEALTHY hair. While I did not consider their feelings when deciding if this journey was right for me, I did wonder how they would react. Also, would I get “in trouble” for not having “controllable” hair. I work in a conservative environment (and am a little conservative myself when it comes to the work place) so I knew that the new look would be a lot for them. Lol.
The students and all my true co-worker/friends loved the new look. From the BC to now being over a year natural they have been supportive. Honestly, I have inspired students to consider going natural AND for those who were in fact natural but doing the “societal styles” of weaving and straightening to recognize the beauty they had in them all this time and be more daring with wearing their natural hair (styles).
There was no real overcoming of the professional environment and what they thought of my hair. While I was a little nervous, I knew no one would say anything to me. Lol. Even when I was not that confident, I walked with my head high and my confidence rubbed off I guess. I know get NOTHING but compliments 
2. How did your co-workers, clients and boss respond when you revealed your new do?
Well my true friends (who are co-workers) always has and still love my new look. For the others, they complimented me on my braids (while transitioning) and every once in awhile will say something about my fro. My boss….to this day STILL hasn’t said a word. Lol. But I think that has to do with our policy’s on discrimination, harassment and hostile work environment…but trust I know he noticed. HA
3. Has your performance been rewarded since you’ve been natural? If not, do you believe your hair has been a factor? Any regrets?
Considering I am very good at my what I do, how I do AND I’m totally committed/passionate about my professional, I’ve been and will continue to be rewarded. I don’t think my hair has anything to do with this, but I will say the increase in confidence and inspiration that I found IN ME helps me to better do my job. So in that essence, I think going natural has made me a better representative of my particular company.
4. What advice would you offer a professional peer who’s on the fence about going natural?
First and foremost (like anything), its a commitment…especially if this is your first time. Once you make the decision, encourage yourself SPEAK OVER YOURSELF (yes like the gospel song) and remember that God created you in his image. You do not have to conform to society OR to what your family, friends or even co-workers think you should be. If you are not confident in yourself, this journey will be rough BUT even then you can still be victorious…for their will be some mountains to battle….but know that you can go threw them without a scratch ….not avoid them (go around).
This blog, along with others (like mine, that can be found at www.theorakale25.blogspot.com) are also good to help with daily/weekly encouragement…but remember you have to be stirred up inside to not only make the decision, stick with it and then ENJOY YOUR NEW LOOK AND LIFE! 
