It’s a Matter of Choice…except when it comes to Black Pride says the Nappy Roots theme.

The decision to go natural is a complicated one for black women. The primary reason is the image she wants to project to family, friends, and mate. As well as the image she needs to project in order to start, develop, and be promoted in a professional career. Depending upon her choice of profession, that image will classify her despite her capabilities or talents.

Over the past few years, it seems that women of color are learning they will be stereotyped no matter how they wear their hair. Wearing their hair in a perm or weave might make their personage easier on the eyes to some white professional male executives. It still may not get them promoted any faster.

That is when the secondary reason becomes even more important. Let along pride in their heritage, but for those who have worn perms or some form of weave for a number of years? They are acutely aware of the hair breakage, significant hair loss over a period of time and the massive cost and upkeep. Especially when it comes to weaves. And for those ladies who have young girls. Mothers are often torn between the safety issues while also destroying their child’s natural hair. And if they let their little girl wear a natural, which may bring on teasing about her appearance? What kind of example are they providing by sporting a weave or perm? There has been more than enough example that has shown how happy mother and child are with each other if wearing the same hairstyle. In this case, the popular choice is au natural.

More and more, black women are finding going natural satisfies a lot of emotional and financial requirements. In the end, they want to be free, happy and content with themselves. This ensures a happy home for other family members. The bonus being natural styles of today look great and they are trendy.

A couple of months ago, a local neighborhood committee, of which I am involved as a member, replayed an Itunes video of a documentary regarding the Black Hair Industry. In short, it showed once again almost all who is profiting from the industry directs those profits in the opposite directions of our black communities. To say this aroused my curiosity is an understatement.

I attempted to create a Blog Talk Radio show around this subject but had no luck in finding local beauty supply shops to participate. Confirming that when you are trying to accomplish something for the masses instead of yourself, you are always led in the right direction. A LinkedIn contact, Katherine Myers (of BlackBusinessNetwork.com) suggested I contact Regina Kimbell of Virgin Moon Entertainment LLC. With one call, an entire new world was opened up to me, centering on black pride and the Natural black hair look.

The “My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hair-itage,” documentary was directed by Regina Kimbell and Jay Bluemke. Regina Kimbell also produced this documentary on Black hair. The 2008 film provides an in-debt look at how the European ideal of beauty influences the straightening of black women hair. There is also the process of black men hair through the years, including the use of perms and weaves by black women though today. More than that, it takes the viewer beyond the middle passage as we learn how important hair styles and stylist were in the motherland. It has garnered many awards and is used in the educational arena to inform and instill pride in our heritage. Even through today, it is still the ultimate documentary on black hair. You can find snippets of it on ITunes. You can also contact Regi for screening details. Call 571-ROOTS-13 or email her at reginakimbell@gmail.com.

Regi checked me out and graciously agreed to be a guest on my December 10th show. We’ve already received a great response from those who listened to the live broadcast. Regi Kimble provided an excellent description of the why, how, and when of her award-winning documentary. She brought along her daughter, Brighton Kimbell, husband, William Kimbell (My Nappy Roots Soundtrack producer) co-producer Shirlena Allen, Gwen Allen, co-founder of LA Natural Hair Expo & Nappywood Weekend, and Sam Enon, founder of BOBSA or Black Own Beauty Supply. All contributed to a lively discussion of the topics while providing their contact info. We also played selected cuts from My Nappy Roots Soundtrack, by Regi’s husband Wendell Kimbell & Various Artist.

The only irritant came was we began to hear a slight echo while having the discussions. I finally figured out that one of the guests was calling on a cell phone. After putting the caller on mute, the show went on without a hitch. Yes, I could edit it out but the information that was given at the time is so important to the discussion I chose to leave it in. Keep in mind that my aim is to provide our listening audience important information from guest who are the current authorities in their field. I am just the host or facilitator. The fact that contact information was being provided along with invaluable information overrides any editing issues in my view. I can promise you that we will get better by avoiding or quickly identifying future problems to solve them. For now, hang with a rookie in the radio business. You can curse me out if you want, but listen to the content we are delivering; it will change your perspective. Plus I will have Regi and Sam Ennon (BOBSA.org) back on separate, back to back shows in March of 2015.

www.Internationalblackhairitage.com is the website for information on the international celebration of Black hair involving such countries like England, Germany, France as well as the United States. Regi is also the Founder of Nappywood Weekend in LA. The last installment was held in August of this year. We intend to be a part of the Nappywood LA celebration in August of 2015. Thanks to Regi for getting me involved, so stay tuned. Meanwhile check out our show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica/2014/12/11/nappy-roots-black-hair-style-care-products-and-economic-independence It is well worth your while.

In addition, please check out our new website Hamp’s C of A at http://hampscofa.net/. Our attempt is to consolidate CHIIA Group’s entities. Let us hear from you, because we serve at your pleasure.