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This week we celebrated the various apples of our eyes—or our most cherished someone(s) —in observation of St. Valentine’s Day with heartfelt greeting cards, flowers, candy , teddy bears and dazzling dates out on the town or special evenings indoors. We usually think of Valentine’s Day as a celebration of romantic love but that doesn’t stop us from expressing love on the 14th for our family, friends and community.
For me, my community is very much the apple of my eye. And it’s this love for my community that constantly inspires to me to continue to innovate as I grow and build products in service of those who have naturally coily, curly, wavy and kinky hair. The way I feel about my community can best be described in this special kind of love poem written by the classic African American poet Marvin Wyche Jr.
We Rainclouds
black people, we rainclouds
closer to the sun and full of life.
soaking up the knowledge of the earth
and
storing it within ourselves
moving on
to spread truth throughout the world
we black clouds.
loved and feared.
ready to explode and give new life
to a dying planet
beautiful dark clouds
casting shadows of blackness
shadows of dignity
shadows of love
giving of ourselves to promote life while
realizing our ability to destroy
raincloouds we are
nature
nature
nature
natural!!!
black people , we raincloouds
closer to the sun and full of life…..
It has always been my goal to help our community recognize, support and celebrate the beauty within ourselves, the beauty that is who and what we are as a people. This mission inspired me to launch the World Natural Hair, Healthy Lifestyle Event (WNHHLE) more than 21 years ago when no such large scale natural hair show for people interested in chemical-free hair existed. In addition to showcasing hundreds of natural hair-related product manufacturers and up-and-coming businesses and musical artists, the WNHHLE also features workshops, seminars and panel discussions specifically on health and wellness, educational, career and financial interests of our community. The next big show will take place this April 21-22 in Atlanta.
I create my products with this same mission of celebrating and supporting our community. For example, my latest product line, the Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition collection is specifically designed to promote the health and well-being of naturally curly, coily, wavy and kinky hair just as it is. Yes, beautiful braids, updos, twists and other styles we wear do showcase the beauty and diversity within our hair. But healthy curls, kinks, waves and coils possess an individualized, unique, effortless beauty that is exclusive to each and every person.
I’ve always said that healthy hair is good hair and I stand by that. Healthy curls, kinks, waves and coils are soft and smooth to the touch, do not easily break, shed normally, and have plenty of volume and movement. My Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition collection, which includes, Shampoo, Leave-In Conditioner, and Curl Definer combines the health benefits of green apple, aloe, coconut oil and silk protein to fortify, rejuvenate, hydrate and condition hair while stimulating growth.
Naturally coily, curly, wavy and kinky hair is good, beautiful and very much cherished by me. I hope you enjoyed a happy Valentine’s Day and share the pride I have for all the gorgeous ways in which our hair grows and thrives.
As always, if you have any questions about natural hair care maintenance, health and beauty, please do not hesitate to contact me at asktaliah@naturalhair.org.
