Chris-Tia Donaldson – Author of Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair

Age (or age range): 30

Degrees: B.A. Economics, Harvard University; J.D. Harvard Law School

Industry: Law/Business

Title: Corporate Counsel

Website: www.thankgodimnatural.com

Blog: http://thankgodimnatural.wordpress.com

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?

Many of you already know this, but after graduating from Harvard Law School, I was transitioning and wore a wig for over two years at my first law firm primarily to hide the fact that my hair was nappy. At the time, I felt like I had to look like the 21st century version of Claire Huxtable (complete with flowing hair) in order to be accepted by my white colleagues, gain better assignments, appease my clients, etc. In the end, I failed miserably when it came to pleasing others, and came very very very close to being let go from my first job. My preoccupation with my having “good hair” and my rejection of my inherent qualities as a black woman were largely part of my performance related issues. Today, I am a successful lawyer, thanks to embracing my true and natural self and abandoning mainstream notions of what it means to be beautiful.

I wrote Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Care for and Maintaining Natural Hair (click here for excerpt) because I wanted to help dispel some of the most common myths and misconceptions about kinky hair. Part of the reason it took me so long to let go of my relaxer is because I was so misinformed. Like so many black women, I thought I couldn’t wear my hair in its natural state, because my tresses looked nothing like Alicia Keys’ or Mariah Carey’s. When I came to the realization that I could go natural, I wanted to share all the information I learned about caring for my hair with others. I also wanted to let the ladies know that going natural would not put an end to their career, prevent them from getting a date, or require them to join the “movement”.

2. How did your co-workers, clients and boss respond when you revealed your new do?

My boss is worth more than $23 billion dollars (that’s more than Oprah’s and Tiger Woods’s net worth combined) and runs one of the largest enterprises in the world. At the end of the day, he could careless what my hair looks like. He’s more concerned about did we make our numbers and if we continue to be #1 in our industry.

3. Has your performance been rewarded since you’ve been natural? If not, do you believe your hair has been a factor? Any regrets?

It is such a refreshing feeling to come to work every day and feel like I can be myself and wear my own, natural hair — without thinking or worrying about how I would be perceived. At this juncture in my career, I wear my hair every which way (e.g. pulled back into a puff, braids, rod sets, a mini fro hawk or two strand twists). Strangely enough, the more I loved and accepted my natural hair, the more people applauded my work and complimented me. This sense of confidence and pride in my appearance had a profound effect on every aspect of my world. The quality of my work was praised and my performance has never been questioned (since I could now focus on what was really important, my work – and not my hair).

I began to realize that in the past, the only thing truly preventing me from being happy and fulfilling every aspect of my dream was merely my conception of myself. Once I realized that I didn’t need to keep buying into the unhealthy and consuming expectation of appearance, my own job performance started to thrive. Today, I don’t think twice about wearing my hair natural and have finally come to fully appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of my kinky mane. When I put on my favorite suit and walk into a client meeting, I know it doesn’t matter how I wear my hair. My opinions will be respected and heard. My relationships with my colleagues, both black and white, have never been better. And, strangely enough, some of our most interesting conversations have been about the uniqueness and beauty of black hair.

4. What advice would you offer a professional peer who’s on the fence about going natural?

As black women, it’s time for us to come to grips with the fact that America has created an unattainable beauty standard for us. We would be far better off if we started believing in ourselves and embracing the blessings that make us unique as a people. I would also point out that the first black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 Company, Ursula Burns, is also natural. So, I hope today, whether you’re natural, lock’d or in the midst of transitioning, you’ll join me in saying THANK GOD I’M NATURAL!

5. Tell us about the book

Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair is a must-read for any black woman who has suffered hair loss or breakage caused by relaxers — or has grown tired of spending thousands of dollars and her Saturday afternoons frying her kinky tresses into submission. While there is no shortage of information on this topic to be found on the Internet, Thank God I’m Natural is the most comprehensive natural hair guide on the market today, and the book black women need now more than ever before. You can pick up a copy of the book at Barnes & Noble or your local black bookstore. You can also order a copy online at Amazon.com or a signed copy at www.thankgodimnatural.com, where we will be offering free shipping on all orders from now until Ne w Years.

Thank God I’m Natural makes the perfect Xmas gift for that special woman in your life—regardless of whether she’s natural, lock’d, in transition, or has no intention of ever giving up her relaxer. Surprise your mom, daughter, or best friend with an autographed copy of the book with a personalized inscription that reads “Dear XXX, Always stay natural. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”