I am grateful that I never had to transition so to properly answer questions like this I refer back to when I first started learned how to take care of my hair.  My healthy hair journey started back in 2005 but made real progress in 2008.  There was so much I didn’t know and so much information to sort through.  I didn’t know any other naturals at the time so I felt like I was on my own.  Growing up I always admired women with big beautiful curls but I was too shy to be different so I wore my hair straight for years
even though I didn’t really like it.  I just wanted to fit in. After college I got some courage and a supportive boyfriend (now husband) and I have worn my hair in its natural state since.  I wear my hair straight maybe once a year now and I highly doubt that I will ever go back to wearing my hair straight on a consistent basis.

Name: Tia
Occupation: Currently, I am employed full-time in customer service, launching my own
jewelry business part-time, and a part-time graduate student.
Homepage/blog: Her Best Hair at: http://tiashauntee.blogspot.com/

How important is your hair to you?
I love my hair but it’s not my all.  There have been times when other things in life have come up that required me to put tedious hair care on the back burner.  During those times I am thankful for protective styles.  My hair is as important to me as the rest of my well being, I take care of everything in moderation- in other words, I could do better.

 

Do you do your own hair?
I have had my hair professionally done twice.  I am happier when I do it myself.  I get nervous when someone else is doing my hair because it took a lot of time and work to get to where I am today and I know it would take a fraction of that time for one mistake to ruin years of progress.

Have you ever been stereotyped because of your hair?
Not that I can recall.  No one has ever said anything to me directly.

What does your hair mean to you?  Would you cut your hair or change the
style for a job?
My hair is me. I was born this way and I believe that God does not make mistakes.  I would not cut nor change my hair for any job.  I have learned how to have fun with my hair and how to be professional with my hair.  My work environment is not that diverse however my hair is still accepted and I get a lot of compliments in the workplace.  I get questions from other African-Americans in the workplace about going natural but the most shocking thing that occurred was when a few of my non-black counterparts asked me for some advice.  They took the advice, applied it, and were extremely pleased
with the outcomes.  That really made my day.

Are you single/married/dating?  And how does your other half like your hair?
I have been married for two years now and my husband actually played a huge role in me wearing my hair in its natural state.  I washed my hair one weekend and he saw it and the look on his face was priceless.  He wears his hair in locs and works in corporate America.  We believe natural hair in the professional environment is 100% possible.

How important is a woman’s hair in your opinion?
I feel that the way a woman wears her hair should be her choice.  So many times we let society put us in a box and when someone breaks out of the box it is the m ost beautiful thing to me.

 

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