On Sunday I decided to leave AfroPunk early to head over to Spike Lee’s ‘Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson’ party at Restoration Plaza in BedStuy.

I’ll admit, it was a challenge to get good photos since the venue was so tight and packed.  But I did my best.  Check it!

Like the Michael Jackson look-alike above, this woman came ready to perform.

This gentleman paid homage to Michael Jackson’s role as the scarecrow in The Wiz.

share!

When I think AfroPunk I think individuality.  Over the past 12 years the music festival has been a haven for black folks who love punk rock, alternative culture, and unique style a la goth, quirkiness, and funk.  I attended the two-day long event to get snapshots.  Check it out below.

I ran into members of the bank BLXPLTN (Blaxploitation). Cool cats.

I met this cool young lady working the booth for the brand Kreyol, by Haitian-American designer Joelle.  Kreyol had some of the best offerings at the event.  Love the shirt!

Her accessories I love…especially those coin earrings.  I will be on the hunt for those.

I met Joelle the designer on day two of AfroPunk.  She looked as cool as her brand.

share!

In Manhattan you never know who you’ll run into.  When I was on my way to Jack’s 99 Cent Store on 32nd street I spotted America’s Next Top Model contestant, Eugena Washington.  Like any model on a day off, she looked casual but cool.

Life after ANTM has clearly been good to Eugena because she’s graced campaigns for T.J. Maxx, Clinique, and she recently did a commercial for Lexxus.  Werk!

Black and white, floral print, snap backs, tats, and sneakers.  Swag.

His bow tie and belt made this look special.

Over in the Meatpacking District some kept it casual.

Others let their hair out.

share!

I loved Nia’s pleated skirt and her choice of colors were perfect.  Her shoes were cool too.  She offers a great demonstration on how to wear white footwear, which could be a challenge.

share!

 It’s #ThrowBackThursday so I’m taking a look back on my hair journey.

In 2012, Dana Oliver, the Senior Beauty Editor of the Huffington Post commissioned me to write an essay about why I decided to wear my hair natural while working as a television reporter.  I was pleased to get the assignment since my career aspirations were the very reason I struggled with re-embracing my kinky hair after wearing it straight for a number of years.  As I stated in the piece, there aren’t many black women sporting their natural tresses on television.  So I wrote the story straight from the heart, leaving nothing out.  I didn’t expect all the feedback that came afterwards.  I was pleased to find out that it made the website’s front page of the beauty section.  I also received several emails and tweets from other women going through similar struggles, well wishes from people who understood, and some my favorite websites and news outlet re-posted my story.

As I take a look back at my hair journey for #ThrowBackThursday, I realize how much I’ve grown since I wrote that piece.  For starters, my career aspirations have evolved a great deal.  I’m no longer waiting to be discovered as “on-air talent” by a major news station.  I’ve made the decision to work towards cultivating a more diverse career path that honors all of my talents.  Also, I don’t see my hair as this external part of myself.  In other words, I’m not #teamnatural or “team” anything for that matter.  I’m simply me.

Here’s an exert:

For the second time in my life, I’ve chosen to wear my hair in its natural kinky state. It was an easy decision the first time. Back in 2001, I was going through a phase of finally embracing my round face, high cheekbones and mahogany complexion. Ridding myself of my straight, chemically-processed hair typically associated with society’s standard of beauty was a way of celebrating my newfound self-love. Plus, it helped that artists like Lauryn Hill and India Arie were proudly sporting their natural tresses at the time, making it a popular trend among black women. It became the “thing” to do.

But after five years of rocking Afros, twists and braids I started relaxing my hair again. I was comfortable with my kink, but tired of all the work it took to maintain it. So, I fell back into relaxers, bone straight bobs, flat irons, wigs and extensions.

Then late last year, it happened: My hair started falling out.

Read the full story and see a photo slide show of my hair journey HERE.

share!