My Hair Grows Up is just one of your many accomplishments as an author, what inspired you to write that children’s book?
A little white girl was getting her hair braided in my salon and she was in awe at our “puffy hair.” She said to me “you must have to put a lot of gel in her hair to get it to stand up like that.”
In that moment I explained to her that her hair grows down and our hair grows up. The analogy was simple for her to understand and I realized in that moment it would be great to share a story for all children using this phrase.
We know that you have been natural your whole life and your mom also wore her hair natural, how important was that for you and can a woman who chemically straightens her hair teach her child to appreciate her natural hair?
I didn’t realize how important it was until I was older. As a kid I wanted a relaxer because the girls on the commercials and ads looked so pretty and I wanted to look like them.
I was always denied, but the denial wasn’t heart breaking because my mother’s hair was natural and it was easy for her to point to herself as an example of beauty that I was happy to emulate.
I am grateful my mother stood her ground. I think a mother who chemically straightens her hair will send a mixed message to her child if she is trying to teach her to appreciate her natural hair.
A mother is her child’s primary example of beauty in all forms. Children aspire to be like their parents, so it’s important that if a mother wants to instill an appreciation of natural hair in her children, she exemplify it herself in how she wears her hair.
Ok, we have to ask this, you are on an island, no shops or department stores, nothing but sea, sand and salt, what is the one product you would take with you and why?
I would bring my Shea Moisture African Black Soap. I hate when my face feels dirty and this soap is a must so that I feel fresh. The good thing is I could also use it on my body and hair. Feeling clean is important to me.
Dr. Kari, we would love to ask you a million more questions, but we know you are very busy, For those of us who want to stay connected to you and all things related to The Mahogany Hair Revolution, please let us know how we can connect with you online.
You can visit my website at www.drkariwilliams.com
Or my salon site at www.mahoganyrevolution.com
Please like our face book page Mahogany Hair Revolution.
Follow me on Twitter @drkariwilliams
And on Instagram @drkariwill
Kiara Hart says
This is a beautiful woman that any man would be lucky to have
Ebony J Jones says
Slammin in the lil black dress
Pamela D Jenkins says
Pretty
Danielle Williams says
Love it
Angelica Criswell says
Lovely, she is natural and professional all in one. You go girl!!!!
Geri Jimenez says
Cute
Darlene Armstrong-Barnes says
LOVE
SimplesexySharyn Kool says
I have that same necklace
Iris Brock says
She is working that black dress!
Jennifer Michelle Williams says
She is beautiful. I don’t know too many African American woman who can wear red lipstick, but she is wearing it and wearing it well. =)
nappy headed black girl says
I didn’t know she was a lifetime natural. How cool is that? She’s been highly recommended to me by more than one person. I haven’t been to a stylist in years but I’d like to try her out.
Nygee Hillary says
wow