Afro Champion

Shortly after I had my daughter Stella my husband and I went on a lunch date. After being cooped up on bedrest for so long I had forgotten that my hair often times is a conversation starter. However I was quickly reminded that my hair and me are a team, it speaks and I answer and this particular day it shouted to our waitress. Because before I knew it, her hands were in my hair poking around: stunned at first and then flattered we immediately struck up a conversation.

Katie is a vivacious slim figured blonde who is fascinated with afro hair. If everyone were as quick to embrace diversity as she was we wouldn’t have half of the racial tension that we do in our world today. She began to tell me that one of her closest friends has kinky hair and how unique it is see to all the different styles she can wear with her hair.

Captivated by my new afro champion, I told her about my blog, asked to take a picture with her and if I could share our encounter on AfroTina.  She was slightly camera shy because at the moment she was doing an experiment. She had recently seen a news report on a group of high school girls that were protesting makeup in an effort to re-connect with their inner-beauty. So inspired by their story, Katie decided to go a week without makeup or hair extensions.  Isn’t that just how life usually works, she is bare faced with limp hair and here I come along asking to take her picture so I could put it up on the internet. We laughed at the irony and then in the spirit of “inner beauty” we both said cheese for the camera.

I admire Katie’s openness and acceptance of beauty that is different from her own and her eagerness jump in and express her approval.  Today I encourage you to love your beauty and appreciate the variety of beauty around us.


Happy New Year✳