NLG: What inspired you to put on these events for the natural women in your community? Do you plan to do anymore in the near future?
Ashly: Ironically, at the same time in different locations and natural hair stages. We both realized that we saw absolutely no natural hair activities going on in Mississippi! We would watch YouTube videos of all these women forming meet ‘n’ greets and there was nothing for us to go to.
After being stopped in church, the grocery store, and other places so much and asked about hair care, products, and such we decided to have an actual conference for MS and the surrounding areas. I have to credit God for it. I was sitting on the couch watching television and the idea came, I called Lydia and she apparently had been playing with the idea so we took a chance and went for it.
Lydia: We have a lot planned for the future, which includes an internship program, seminars in select Boys and Girls Clubs and highschools, meet ‘n’ greets in various cities, the December event and our August event, which will be a formal event. So many naturals are not sure what to do with their hair for formal events, so we’re giving them a chance to learn and have fun while doing it. Our next event, ¡Baila! A Natural Hair Fiesta, will be March 10th. We’re hoting a latin dance party. We just want to have fun and bring naturals together. We love networking and we know from experience that meeting other naturals can really help you along in your journey.
NLG: You also have a group on facebook that has really been growing and more importantly always very active. I see that it has evolved into so many purposes but what was your original plan for the group?
Ashly: Thank you. The original plan for the Facebook group was just to allow naturals to ask questions to each other and us. I think its safe to say that Lydia and I both started off as product junkies, and we noticed what worked for one person’s hair didn’t always work for another. The group was to trade hair success stories, vent about hair disasters, and encourage everyone including ourselves.
NLG: How long have you been natural and why did you initially decide to do it?
Lydia: I’ve been natural since February 2008. My natural hair journey started out…. different. I just got frustrated with constantly getting relaxers and having my scalp burn. I knew nothing about natural hair. I didn’t know how to take care of it or anything. I had my aunt slowly cut my relaxed hair. Nest thing I knew, I had a different situation on my head that I had to learn to take care of. As a result of not doing anything right, I had to cut off a few inches of my hair because I had a lot of split ends and single strand knots. I love my hair! I have learned a lot during my journey. I no longer watch YouTube videos to learn how to take care of it. I now look for hairstyles. Now that I know how to braid to the scalp, I’m going to be unstoppable!
Ashly: In February, I will be natural three years (as far as when I stopped relaxing).Wowizers, that happened kind of quick to me. I went to a conference called “Impact,’ in Atlanta around new years ‘06 going into ‘07 (go figure right) and for the first time I saw several beautiful, successful, looking women with natural hair. I had a nice length of relaxed hair, but it had been that way for so long I was bored. I started cutting my hair slowly in to difference styles and after a while of wearing it cut short I decided to try natural…I felt if I didn’t like it I could always go back to a relaxer.
NLG: Do you think you would ever go back to relaxers?
Lydia: I’m going to say…. NO! I can’t even fathom doing it. If I do, assume that I’m going through a mental breakdown. Especially now that I have learned the dangers associated with relaxers, I will have had to fallen off the deep end. Plus, I have nightmares about relaxers. No joke! I have found that to be common believe it or not. And no, my future daughters will not be getting relaxers. If someone comes near their hair with that creamy mess, heads will roll. I love my natural hair. I love being different. I think relaxed and natural hair have ALMOST the same amount of pros and cons, but the pros of natural hair (one being the fact that it’s safer) far outweighs to pros of relaxed hair
Ashly: I’m almost certain I will not go back to a relaxer. I said almost certain because I’m not quick to say I will never do something, but I do not see the point in myself getting a relaxer. I love the thickness, feel, and versatility of my hair. I will admit being relaxed was sometimes easier because I could run to a pony tail, roller wrap, or when it was short, a comb down. However, the more I learn how to treat my hair the less time I spend on trying to style it. Plus, I’ve discovered some natural versions of quick styles similar to when I was relaxed.
