A year goes by so quickly. In the midst of getting things done we often don’t realize how much we accomplish especially if we feel stuck. So, I often compare life to the training of athletes. It takes years of dedication, sweat, tears and hard work for swimmers and runners to improve their personal records only a few milliseconds. There is no instant gratification but that doesn’t mean they are stuck. Slowly but surely they get to their goal. 

A year goes by so quickly. In the midst of getting things done we often don’t realize how much we accomplish especially if we feel stuck. So, I often compare life to the training of athletes. It takes years of dedication, sweat, tears and hard work for swimmers and runners to improve their personal records only a few milliseconds. There is no instant gratification but that doesn’t mean they are stuck. Slowly but surely they get to their goal.

Now that it’s time to look back and review another year of natural hair events, hairstyles and accomplishments, I am happy to see progress and I feel joy! The 2015 Going Natural Year in review slideshow shows all that we’ve accomplished and more. What is even more special about this review is that it includes significant events that I haven’t been able to blog about:

UMA International:

In March of 2015 I flew to Suriname as part of UMA International, a network organization established by professional Surinamese women to build towards a positive self-image in preparation for success.

More about UMA International

Extraordinarily captured

In August photographer Raul Neijhorst asked me to join his project: For the 40th anniversary of Suriname independence he wanted to make a book with 75 revealing portraits of extraordinary Surinamese around the world. Humbled by the fact that I was chosen, I happily complied and I am grateful I did! The book is not just a first of its kind. It’s a wonderful collection of diverse personalities that really represent Suriname well. More about the shoot with Raul

Pitching in Silicon Valley

As you know I have been working on BlackFollicles.com to expand the Going-Natural.com shop into a social cyber buy Black mall. Besides working on crowdfunding to get this project going, I also pitched the idea in Silicon Valley, the center of IT startups. It was a very special occasion as I pitched BlackFollicles.com to a panel of all female investors named Pipeline Angels.

More about Pipeline Angels

Some of you could make our events, some of you couldn’t. Many of you sent feedback, shared pictures, videos, allowed me to picture you and commented on blog posts and that is what’s keeps me going.

So thank you for another wonderful year. I hope you enjoy the slides and look forward hearing from you in 2016! Happy new year!

The video below also includes Natural Hairstyles from Suriname. 

Overview 2015:

February – Atlanta, GA –  A Super Naptural Hair Revolution

In February Lee Hostick, Producer flew me to Altanta to take part in her documentary: A Naptural Hair Revolution.

March – Paramaribo, Suriname: UMA International conference

Humbled by the invite to join UMA International, a network organization established by professional Surinamese women to build towards a positive self-image in preparation for success, I flew to Suriname to join the UMA International Conference on Women’s Day.

BAD Hair Uprooted Paramaribo; BAD Hair Uprooted, my exhibition went to Suriname for the first time. I got the opportunity to shoot local naturals in the beautiful colorful environment of the capital, Paramaribo.

Natural Hair Workshop in Suriname: While in Suriname I did a natural hair workshop that was incredibly fun. There were more people than there were seats, the women fully participated asking questions and giving feedback. Can’t wait to do it again.

May – Paris, France: Boucle’s d’Ebene: Super exited to be invited by Aline Tacite, the power woman behind Boucles d’Ebene, I left for Paris to take part in the 10th anniversary celebration of this Natural Hair and Trade Show.

BAD Hair Uprooted Paris: It was a tremendous honor to be the only non-French speaker listed among Caribbean researchers and intellectuals who have been known for creating awareness throughout the Diaspora for many years.

August – Bedstuy, Brooklyn: BAD Hair Uprooted; After Paramaribo and France, I got the chance to show BAD Hair Uprooted in Bedstuy Brooklyn!

September – Manhattan, NY: Photo shoot with Raul Neijhorst

November – Silicon Valley, CA: Pitching BlackFollicles.com

November – Brooklyn, NY: Going Natural Hair Care in Stores International: The Going Natural.com store was closed for most of the year because I was working on improving the products, and getting them into stores. Not just in the US but internationally. Foodtown Bedstuy was the first.

Locaversary: Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to blog or vlog about my locs. But you can get a pretty good view at my Braid-locaversary 2015.

New projects: Buy Black – BlackFollilces