National CROWN Day

Happy Friday ND Fam! Yes, more CROWN Act love over here. TOMORROW is National CROWN Day: July 3rd! Recognized as a special holiday, National CROWN Day commemorates the inaugural signing of the first CROWN Act while mobilizing the nation to end hair discrimination. Dove is hosting an intergenerational celebratory experience focused on how all of us can help #PassTheCROWN. On July 3rd you can join the CROWN Day virtual activities at thecrownact.com.

Activities on CROWN Day include:

• 10:30 am EST: GET UP AND CROWN THE DAY Wellness Workout

• 7:00 pm EST: THE INAUGURAL CROWN AWARDS

• 8:30 pm EST: CROWN AFTER DAY After Party

• All Day: Social Storm with 'THE MY CROWN IS...' Photo App

There are CROWN Day Resources available for you to use which include the mobile photo filter, Facebook frame, Instagram stickers, and more! Let's celebrate black beauty together. Flood social media. Participate in the activities.

Naturelle D Updates: Where You Can Find Me

Hey Lovelies!

I took a short break as life is trying to get back into full swing. Am I the only one attempting to find a new balance? It is tough. Motivation is a rollercoaster. With that, I may be posting every two weeks for now. I will try my best to stick to weekly. I enjoy blogging. For those that peek in every once in a while, I appreciate you.

In these last few weeks, a few opportunities landed in my schedule. If you are not following me on Instagram, you are missing out on my stint as a co-host on the Unhinged with Tylted Halo radio show on Red Ink Radio Live. I am a Tylted Tribe member and a monthly regular with the entire Tribe (see our latest shenanigans here). Recently, my big sis Tylted Halo conducted an interview of little ole me as a way for the listeners to meet me. Tune in on Tuesdays and listen in as we discuss "What's Really Going On" in this world. We pack the show with comedic commentary along with moments reflecting on issues happening around us. It's a great time!

Wait...there is more! This past week I recorded a CROWN Act video short with a wonderful dynamic duo, Reagan of C Suite Styling LLC and Marisa of OrganixLocs, who host a CROWN Act virtual conference all summer long. Catch the ladies go live with interviews showcasing different leaders of different arenas as well as the release of monthly CROWN Act Shorts, videos giving a model a workplace makeover. Your girl got her hair styled by Marisa while Reagan dressed me up. I cannot wait to see how the video turns out! Follow them on Instagram and YouTube to see the videos and join the events!

Other than that, I'm getting back to blogging and creating content for IG. I will get my TikTok life together! I promise. It's all in the balance of work, personal, and this thing called content creation. You know where to find me.

Stay safe and walk in love.

Why You Should Stop Saying "I Want My Hair To Grow Long"

Hey ND Tribe! (This greeting keeps changing. I don't know what to call y'all! Help a lady out!)

Today's written offering is about the (buzzword alert) toxic mentality of hair growth in the natural hair community.

That's right. Hair growth.

Hair growth is predetermined. Point blank period. How fast hair grows for the normal, every day naturella (I'm tired of the word naturalista) is set. Are there ways to increase hair growth? Yes. Have I tested any? Nope. Why? Because I am an every day woman and don't have time for these experiments. (Full disclaimer: My natural hair growth is pretty fast anyway so it would be completely disingenuous to try these "hacks".) I do not want to be upside down on my bed having to slowly get up because all the blood rushed to my head. Chile, I live alone. If something went terribly wrong, who is helping me? No one. I will not put mustard powder on my scalp and have to wash that foolishness out. No. Stop it!

The truth is.... (Lean in close. Grab a tissue if you need to. I'm saying this because I love you. Truly.)

YOU HAVE TO LEARN YOUR HAIR AND HOW TO RETAIN LENGTH! YOU HAVE TO HAVE PATIENCE! THIS IS TRIAL BY ERROR!

You honestly have to find your journey. I make it very clear in my corner of the natural hair community that haircare in and of itself is easy. Clean scalp. Moisture and protein balance of the hair. Weekly regimen. Do what works for you. The thing is... YOU have to work at it. If "you" working at it is paying a licensed hairstylist to care for your mane, do that!

Maintaining healthy hair takes work. The secret is to have a routine that becomes natural to you. A habit. Autopilot. Wash days are only dreadful for me if life has beat me up. Like right now. I'll be honest. Ya girl is physically and emotionally tired. But one thing I do know. When I wash my hair, it rejuvenates me. In times like this, discipline takes over.

As I repeatedly say, if your hair is having issues, you have to hear what your mane is saying. Can you figure out the remedy on a YouTube binge? Sure, if you access what information you are viewing. But do you know what to access? My suggestion is to find licensed professionals who happen to vlog and not a vlogger. I know. I love my sisters that have been doing the blog/vlog work for the movement. However, you need someone who understands haircare. The actual science of haircare. That's the difference maker. To that end, I would rather you book an appointment with a stylist. Find you a hairapist!

Additionally, if you hear someone speaking constantly about hair growth and not length retention, close out and move along. Hair growth is not your focus. What is?

• Length retention

• Healthy hair environment

• Patience

• Joy in the crown you are blessed with

These are the keys. What (actually) works for you, what makes you happy, and what makes you accept what the Lord has given to your care is the focus. When you are a good steward, discipline pushes you when have an "I don't wanna" spirit.

Bottom line: Love the hair you have. Care for the hair YOU have. Healthy hair is the goal. These are the prerequisites before you opt to have hair length goals.