The 1st Annual Beauty Empowerment Panel at Spelman College

I had the pleasure of attending the 1st Annual Beauty Empowerment Panel at Spelman this week.  The event was outstanding.  Presented by Design Essentials Natural, the topic was Black Hair in the Media.  On the panel were a bevvy of natural hair advocates including professional stylists, a radio personality, popular bloggers, you tubers and beauty entrepreneurs.

from the flyer:   Featured Panelists and attendees will discuss how the representation of black hair impacts pop culture and self esteem, including the acceptance and non acceptance of natural hair...

Upon entering Cosby Auditorium, each guest was treated to a light snack catered by Chic Fil A.  We also received samples from the Design Essentials Naturals line and information.

Moderated by Design Essentials Director of Marketing, Tracey Gibson, the dialogue was open and I loved that.

The Panelists:  Kiki of Mahoganyknots(YouTube), Deshonica Kerrie (Salon Owner),
Curlbox CEO Myleik Teele, Linda, Ripoll (Jet), Ebony Steele (Ricky Smiley Show)
Kim Walker (Journalist), Jamila Robinson (AJC)

 

Right out of the gate each panel member was asked who their influences were as children regarding hair and beauty. Most of the panelists said they were influenced by their mothers and grandmothers initially.  As they grew older the influence became TV personalities and/or celebrities. MTV, Solid Gold, Janet Jackson, Vanessa Huxtable, and Diana Ross were all mentioned as early influences.

My takeaway:  as a community we need to make sure that we are nurturing the self esteem of our youth and make DOUBLE sure that we provide positive images to influence them!

Spike Lee's movie, School Daze, was discussed. "Are the themes in the movie still relevant?".  "Have you seen it and how did it affect you?"  Most agreed that skin tone is STILL a major issue in the Black community and that the issues in the movie are still relevant.  I remember seeing the movie when it first came out (1988) as a young college student taking a Black Film in America class at Indiana University.  I was BLOWN away by it.  To me it was such an accurate depiction of what was happening on campus at THAT time. And here we are 25 years later...  

Of course you cannot discuss black hair in today's media without touching on the Gabby Douglas situation where "Black twitter" decided to focus on the hairstyle of the Olympic history making athlete instead of her God blessed athletic talent.  All panelists agreed that was a pretty ridiculous thing to do.  Shame on you "Black twitter"!  The moderator asked this..."Is there too much emphasis placed on hair in the Black community?"  What do you think?

There were several more great questions posed and each panelist gave open and honest opinions.  They were knowledgeable and often shared personal details about their own hair journeys. The audience was filled with mostly Spelman students, bloggers and other natural hair advocates like Fro Fashion Week CEO, Tarin Boone.

Students were also given the opportunity to ask questions.

It ended with a meet and greet with the panelists.  I could tell that the students really appreciated this event.  They were so eager and happy to get up close and personal with the panelists.  I believe that each person on the panel brought something different to the conversation and the young ladies really appreciated them being there.

Ebony Steele of The Rickey Smiley morning show
posing with a student/fan

Deshonica Kerrie sharing useful information

Curlbox CEO Myleik Teele 

Kiki of MahoganyKnots with a student whose hair she admired

I even ran into my cousin, Shawn Dowdell, who was the photographer for this event!

Thank you Design Essentials for putting together such a diverse panel of ladies who were willing to share a little bit of themselves with youth who are not only continuing their education but doing so at one of America's oldest historically Black colleges for women.  It was an honor to be there and a pleasure to see your affect on these girls.

How do you feel about Black hair in the media today?  What are some of the issues that you are facing a Black woman with natural hair? Who influenced you?  Let's keep the conversation going!!

10 Reasons Why You Should Not Continue To Have Sex With A Man That Will Not Marry You

Listen ladies.  After listening to several conversations had by my female relatives and friends ...I felt the need to create this list.  This list ONLY applies to those of you that want to be in committed relationships and/or get married.  If you dont...?  Not for you.  I aint got nothing against single people hooking up with no strings IF that is what they BOTH want.  This is for those of you who are in long term-sex mostly-aaand you want more relationships.  Capiche?

Reason #1:  STD's.  If he is continuing to do you without real commitment, then he is doing someone else too.  This is how diseases spread.

Reason #2:  Guys don't typically "wife"  their F&%*Buddies.  ok?

Reason #3:  How are you going to feel when he proposes to the next chick that's not giving it to him?

Reason #4.  You are worth more than that.

Reason #5:  He does not respect you.  Especially if he knows that he can't or won't give you what you want.  A real man would not do this.

Reason #6:  Nobody gets younger.  Yes we are aging every day.  Don't waste your youth and your beauty on a man that only wants to pleasure himself with you.

Reason #7:  What is in it for you to keep doing this?  You already know that he cant give you what you want.  Sex will not change his mind.

Reason #8:  While you're wasting time with him, there could be someone else out there waiting for you.

Reason #9:  Make no mistake...He IS using you.

Reason #10:  You deserve better.

There are a THOUSAND more reasons, but these are my best 10.  Feel free to add more reasons in the comments.  For those who needed this... I hope it helps you think about your worth.

Thanks for reading.

Peace

Mammograms, Blood Draws & Paps.. Oh My! Women's Health

In the past year I have had two cancer scares.  Its true.  My gyn found something on my uterus last March and 6 months later my family doctor found a lesion on my lung.  Both were completely benign but I am so glad that having the routine check ups enabled them to be found, examined and ruled out.  Its a very scary thing to have the Dr tell you that anything has to be looked at again or that things have to be "ruled out".   Please go to the Dr. if you can and get yourself checked out for everything.  I passed my mammogram with flying colors and even though it hurts like hell I go faithfully.  I share this personal thing with you today because I have a voice and as a Black woman I know that we are often apprehensive about our health and the unknown.  I don't need a special month to focus on this topic because to me EVERY month is Women's Health Month.  Don't be afraid.  Go on and get those check ups TODAY!  Early detection is everything.

I've got a couple of other health issues that WILL be taken care of in 2013.  Stay tuned for my journey.

3 of my most important reasons to get and stay healthy!
My Children

Thanks for reading!

Pretty Girl Rocks! Jewelry Making Parties

Pretty Girl Rocks Parties by Ayana Glaze, LLC are jewelry making parties for girls age 5 to 17. Girls get to design and make a custom bracelet with gemstones, glass, wood and other beads and embellishments.

I had the pleasure of hosting my very 1st Pretty Girl Rocks party for my daughter and I cannot begin to express the fun we had!  Ms. Ayana was punctual and very patient and engaging with the children. 

There were 6 girls gathered in my home for my daughters 9th Birthday Slumber Party. 

The jewelry making party lasted for approx 2 hours.  It was a fantastic way to break the ice for some of the girls that didnt know one another.  Ms. Ayana came in with all of her supplies and set up the table before we brought the girls in.

When they came in and saw all of the shiny baubles their faces lit up! 

I KNEW we were gonna have a good time!!!

Ms. Ayana started by introducing herself and followed by explaining what we would be doing. 

She then allowed each girl to choose between a pink or purple satin bag.  She explained to them the importance of storing jewelry to preserve it. 






The PGR jewelry making party was also very educational.  We learned about stones and minerals and how they are colored and formed.  It was very hands on.  The girls enjoyed being able to touch everything. 

We designed our own jewelry. 

At the end we got to keep our bracelets!

If you are looking for something fun and different to do, check out Pretty Girl Rocks ~ Jewelry Making Parties for Girls & Women.

Links:
PGR Website
PGR on FaceBook

Thanks for reading!