Last night the the word Feminist was not only seen by the audience at the VMA’s, but also by the millions of viewers watching it on television. Feminist leaders like Audrey Lorde, and Dr.Beverly Guy-Sheftall have not had that particular platform to educate about the ideologies of of feminism that Mrs. Beyonce Carter offered last night, however their voice’s have pioneered the movement. A Feminist is a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.In the album entitled “Beyonce'” Feminst Chimananda Ngozi Adichie is questioning the stereotypical ideas of girls being ambitious, but not to ambitious in the song entitled “Flawless”. Adichie speaks about girls being taught to shrink themselves in a patriarch society. Did Bey give the definition of feminism, and will her fans embrace her feminist approach or misogyny approach? In the end Beyonce is an entertainer that appears represents “girl power” and could be attempting to empower her fans. Everyone has not had the privilege to sit in a bell-hooks discussion, or a class with Dr. Bahati Kuumba so sometimes an introduction of a topic can spark the interest of a young woman to further her thought process and be empowered….that is what the goal is, isn’t it?
xo, Nekesa J. Smith
20 Signs You Grew Up in Catholic School
This was just funny to me since I went to Catholic school.
Xo,Nekesa
There is a blog post floating around Facebook these days called 20 Signs You Grew Up A Church Kid. After 12-years of Catholic school I didn’t understand most of them. Apparently growing up in Catholic school is just not the same as growing up a church kid. They had fun Jesus learning with Mr.Psalty, and we had just plain old nun-ification. With the help of three of my lovely former-plaid skirted friends, I came up with my own!
Let’s get this party started. Are you ready? Cause just like your first two hour mass, it’s going to be a loooong ride.
1. You at one point compared who got the “better” ash mark on their head from Ash Wednesday. Really they all looked like splotchy finger prints, but it kept you busy at recesses comparing noggins.
2. You feel like a rebel when you wear colored socks. Oh yeah…
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Writing, Beauty, Passion……and more writing
One thing that I have learned throughout my journey, you can be passionate about something and have room for another passion. Before entering Spelman College I had a strong desire to write. I have always wrote poems, but I wanted write book, articles, and be this “Beauty Writer” that could also transfer that skill onto film or tv. During my journey of matriculating through Spelman College I read so many books, wrote tons of 5-20 page papers and met many inspiring writers. One of my fondest memory was having lunch with bell hooks. Academia tends to stray form topics such as hair and here come Ms. bell hooks with her book “Happy to Be Nappy” which was released in 1999. She has wrote over 30 books about the interconnectivity of race, capitalism, and gender. There are no rules stating that you have to do one thing for the rest of your life. I believe it is up to an individual to do one thing well and add on from there. My one thing has been the art of hair. I have cut, styled, braided, cut, colored and grew hair since I was a child. I made it into a career that has been rewarding for me spiritually, mentally and financially. All of this to say in addition to hair I am as married to writing and film as I am to the beauty business. I have a few published articles under my belt as well as a documentary film. I am dedicated to this blog and working to finishing my debut book “Enhancing Your Life one Strand at a Time” which is expected to be released March 2014. I am so excited to see my dream and vision come to fruition.
Another thing that I want to share and that is to “do it your way” within your career, family, and passions. Own them and make everyone a believer of your vision. I change lives through creating hairstyles and now I will change lives through words on paper, film, and your handheld device.
Here are some examples of how I “enhance your life one strand at a time” and soon one book at a time, one film at a time.
xo, Nekesa
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Beauty Education Beyond Beauty School
My Mondays are usually the day I set aside for the business aspect of my beauty business. This includes some light accounting, marketing, and studying. Today I brushed up on Bloodborne pathogens, decontamination, infection control and skin diseases and disorders. As I am reading the information I am wondering how many other Hair Salons, Braid Salons or Natural Hair Salons have read and are practicing Sanitation and Sterilization. I am a licensed cosmetologist, and required to maintain continued education often. I know that there is no license requirement for Natural Hair salons or stylist as well as Braid only salons. Looking at this picture from a consumers point of view is problematic. When a client is trusting a professional to style and take care of their hair that means everything. The last thing that the client wants is to go home with a style and a contagious disorder like ringworm of the scalp, tine a capris, of tine a favosa.
My advice to clients would be to look around a salon to see if it is clean.
1. Make sure there are professional license posted on the wall.
That will ensure that there is some form of sanitation and sterilization practice happening.
2. Look for barbicide containers, separate soiled and clean implement containers.
3. Before booking your appointment hang around for a bit to see how the stylist works with clients, and implements. Is there hair and tools all over the floor. Is there exposed food on the hair station? Does she have on a smock or apron? Does the client have on a smock?
I have seen a lot of situations of hair loss, skin disorders, and hair thinning because of the non- professional practice of hair care in unlicensed salons. Proper education and knowledge can prevent a life time of a unhealthy scalp and hair.
xo, Nekesa
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Get Out Your Own Way!!
This is a great quote. I am always inspired by Ms. Zakiya! Make sure you follow her blog and journey toward living a healthier life.
xo, Nekesa
Getting out of your own way is the best thing you can do for you in 2014. #queenlyandconfident #personaldevelopment #awareness #coaching #doforyou
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New Hair and Naturally Glam for 2014
When it comes to my hair I am constantly changing my look. One reason is because I am a Hairstylist and I love reinvention of hair and fashion. Another reason is because I am always looking for something fly, sexy and that I can wake up looking the same way. I enjoy having low maintenance hair. I, like most of my clients also like workout friendly hair. So after my gym visit last night I decided to spend the time and create this look that I have been envisioning for some time now.
Two hours and a episode of Martin:) a masterpiece was created. here are some quick selfie shots of my new creation. I call it “Textured Fusion Latching” which takes 2.5 hours to complete.It is one of the best “protective styles” that I have had thus far. The shampoo, condition treatment, added hair, style and shaping are included. The intro rate for this style is 175.00. It last for 8 -10 weeks with bi-weekly maintenance. This style can be done in a large array of shapes like an inverted bob fro, short and long layers, textured pixie fro, and tapered fro hawks etc.
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Aqua, green and gold – she’s about that green in Ostwald Helgason shorts and top
Make yourself not only happy in 2014, but create that space of joy!
xo, Nekesa
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Blood, Sweat, and Tears Reality Show
Blood, Sweat, and Tears Reality Show.
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Blood, Sweat, and Tears Reality Show
So I am watching the new reality show ” Blood, Sweat, and Tears on Bravo and I was thoroughly entertained. Demetrius Lucas of the blog and book “A Belle inBrooklyn” was depicted as the antagonist in this particular episode. She is a “relationship expert” for the last 10 years, however she is a newly engaged. There was was a Brooklyn Brunch put on by another character in the show “Daisy” who is from LA and has coined herself as a fashion and beauty television expert. She posed the question that could women be leaders? She thought that because women had PMS that they wouldn’t be good leaders. She also bought the conversation of it being ok for men to step out on their relationships because of their intimidation of powerful women. In this particular episode I agreed with Demetria. She expressed her experience on her popular blog. One would think that a personal experience with friends would be unavailable for a blog post without the “friends” consent, however that didn’t stop Demetria. Melissa Ford was also in the show as a new real estate broker. I will tell you one thing, I will be tuned in to see how things unfold with these professional women of color in New York, handle themselves this season.
While I am happy to see these women of color showing a positive aspect of women in media, I still was shaking my head about us showing all of our colors on television. Do you feel that women are not ready to run things in society? Or do you think it is fine for a man to cheat because his women is a powerful. Tell me your opinion because these conversation have to be had.. It is 2014 and reality shows are going no where. Let’s have the conversation. Are these women “Doing it Their Way” or Not! Please feel free to leave your comment.
xo, Nekesa
Doing It Her Way University 