Afrika discusses her natural hair journey

Photo by Melanie L. Brown with Steed Media Service
Photo by Melanie L. Brown with Steed Media Service

Why did you decide to go natural?
I decided to go natural because [no one in my family] ever knew what to do with my hair. I’ve had everything: a Jeri curl, a perm, and I grew up getting it pressed. So, going natural was not too farfetched, as my mom really didn’t allow for chemicals in our hair until we got of age.

How do you take care of your natural hair?
I take care of my hair myself. I have locs. I’ve had them almost 20 years in July 2016. I keep them washed and I use a leave in conditioner a few times a week to keep them nice. I usually wash them and set them, sit under a dryer and style them at my leisure.


Two favorite styles for natural hair.
My two favorite styles for my natural hair/locs are balling them up into Bantu knots and wearing the curled. I wear head pieces every day so I style my locs around my head gear.

Two emotions while going natural.
Two emotions while going natural: excited and optimistic


What are your favorite three products for your natural hair?
My fav three products for my natural hair are Christian Fields loc and twist gel, tea tree oil and Products of the Earth hair lotion.

Overall benefits for going natural …
Overall benefits for having natural hair for me are simple. I love me; therefore, I love all of me. I don’t have to put on, be someone else, because I’m me.

What would you tell a person …? You should go natural because …
I’d say, you should go natural because you can’t lose. On all of my social media sites, my hashtags are #Winning and #AfrikaEnterprises. I’d tell them that it’s the best thing since sliced bread. I’d tell them no matter what activity, sport, errand, exercise or adventure, there is no, oh no, I sweated out my hair, because you’re already natural, so you’re already all good!

I am natural because …
I am natural because I love me. I think everyone should have their own personal mission statement. Mine goes with me. In the most organic, wholesome, yet simplistic means, I seek to love the Most High with every part of my being, serve my family, my community and my world to the absolute best of my abilities and to do these things in the most humble of means.

One thing that surprised me going natural …
One thing that surprised me about going natural was the self esteem my natural hair gave to others. Young, older, different demographics, black girls and women have went natural, embraced their natural selves and been more open [due to] my natural hair.

Has anyone ever asked to touch your natural hair?
People ask all of time to touch my hair. Especially when it’s curly. I have had to turn some people away. Asian Americans approach me and want me to share, consult how I grew my hair so long, they ask if it’s real or if it’s a weave. They have been very serious the last ten years trying to get me to do locs in the back of their beauty supply store. So yes, I do get asked to touch my locs.

What are your social media handles?
@Sistaafrika on IG

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