While some were out enjoying this hot summer, the inside of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown D..C was lit for the 2015 Ubiquitous Hair and Health Trade Show. A combination of celebrity performances, hair gurus and vendors had the guests revved up.
WHUR were on the one’s and two’s until soulful singer Ledisi showed up. Blessing the crowd with her voice and long locs, the singer received a standing ovation, which included R&B singer and author Chantè Moore, who was there to promote her new book, Will I Marry Me. Black women supporting black women, something we need to see more of.
This hair and health trade show also collided with WE tv’s “L.A. Hair” star Kim Kimble. In a one-on-one interview Kimble revealed the reasons why she comes to events such as Ubiquitous. “I like to share the knowledge, because I have 24 years of experience…and to share that with other stylists and other women and men about haircare, that’s what my brand is all about. I love educating. And having this type of platform gives me the opportunity to do that,” she said.
Over 65 health, hair and beauty brands were showcased in this two-day event. Established national brands such as ORS, Milani and Luster Products were represented as well as up-and-coming companies like Mitra’s Bath and Body, Fran Ngong Organic Body and Suga on Top had a chance to be recognized. Among that list, Monique Rodriguez, founder of Mielle Organics, had a booth and explained how social media gave her the platform to be able to sell her hair products in 87 countries within six months of launching her brand. “Consumers on social media tried my hair products and vitamins and saw that they worked so I gained more followers within no time. I stay true to the word ‘natural.’ From being a registered nurse, I know healthy hair starts from the inside,” she said.
For a moment politics snuck in when Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards hit the stage Saturday to ask for the audience’s vote to become the second black woman in history to serve in the Senate. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser gave the event a stamp of approval right before Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby was presented with the 2015 Ubiquitous Woman of the Year Award. It was a nice touch seeing that the award was a telescope decked out in Swarovski crystals.
The naturalistas, weave lovers and the relaxed sistas can always have their hair “laid for the gawds!” But now we can all celebrate our different hair journeys under one roof. Founder Germaine Bolds-Leftridge announced that 2016 is shaping up to be bigger and better. In Hair We Trust.
