Natural Hair / Sisterlocks: More Photos, (less text)

A good sistah's traditionals - working hard in ICU this day.

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Gwen, now sisterloc'd, but natural for 45 years :o)

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Melinda, 3 months sisterloc'd

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10 years sisterloc'd

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Sisterlocks Originator Dr. Joanne Cornwell

Dr. Cornwell, Dr. Sharita and Seestah Imahkus Nzinga Okofo chatting between their presentations at the Shrine this past Saturday.

My first braid-out in several months.

I'm liking the waves. It didn't take as much time as I thought because I braided it while damp (not soppin' wet), so I was able to use far fewer spongeless sponge rollers than when I don't braid first. I've been a little nervous about the rollers since discovering that weak loc base a while back.

I just might stick with the old braid-out for a while.

DL

Sisterlocks Originator Dr. JoAnne Cornwell returns to Atlanta at the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore

EVENT INFORMATION:
WHEN: Saturday, August 21, 2010
TIME: 5:30 PM
WHERE: 946 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd. SW Atlanta, GA 30310


THAT HAIR THING and the Sisterlocks Approach
Meet and greet Dr. JoAnne Cornwell. Hear her discuss "Good Hair" and what defines this idea for African Americans. Her book includes 50 pages of gorgeous color images - featuring kids, youth and adults of all ages.

Read about why our natural hair issues have been such a sensitive topic of African American culture. Sisterlocks has the answers to all of our questions about a natural hair solution. Gone are the days when black women had to complain about a lack of natural hair care options.

[CHECK OUT A FEW VIDEOS OF JOANNE HERE!]

Sisterlocks Photos: Atlanta Meetup & Booksigning

Dr. Joanne Cornwell, originator of sisterlocks, educating, entertaining and engaging her audience as only she can!

The Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup and book signing was a wonderful ingathering of sisters, each one of us admirers of sisterlocks whether sisterlocks wearers or contemplatives.

Natural Beauty Salon in Gwinnett County (Duluth) Georgia was a great venue. The parking was ample and the food tasty (and free!)




My consultant, Julia Stewart-Stackhaus' beautiful head of sisterlocks.

Julia is a multi-talented sister. She has a degree in broadcast journalism, she is a sisterlocks consultant extraordinaire, and a professional body builder.

[Stone Mountain: Julia Stewart-Stackhaus (404-718-9371 or 770-987-8928)]




Julia Stewart-Stackhaus' mommy wearing her beautiful silver sisterlocks.

There were brotherlocks wearers who modeled as well.

I sat next to a brother who was marveling at all of the beautiful sisters sporting their sisterlocks and saying, "I'm in the Black mans heaven." :o)

My cousin, Ebony and me by a promo photo of Joanne.

A happy Ebony with Joanne and her signed copy of "That Hair Thing"

Coming to a town near you - Dr. Joanne Cornwell for a "That Hair Thing: The Sisterlocks Approach" book signing event...

Sisterlocks Book Signings!

She’s been EAST and she’s been WEST and now…
Dr. JoAnne Cornwell is waiting to come to your town!!

With wit, insight and humor, Dr. Cornwell will bring her unique prospective on “The Natural Hair Revolution” to your group to sign and discuss her latest book,

That Hair Thing, 2nd Edition!

After successful Book Signings and Panel Discussions in Oakland, CA; Baltimore, MD and Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Cornwell is all set to visit these cities in 2010:

Atlanta, GA - Fri, Sat & Sun, Feb. 19-21;
Dallas, TX - Saturday, Feb. 27;
Teaneck, NJ - Friday, March 5;
“HUE-MAN” Bookstore in Harlem, NY - Sat, Mar. 6;
Brooklyn, NY - Sunday, Mar. 7;
Durham, NC - Saturday, April 10;
San Diego, CA - Friday, April 16;
Chicago, Il - Saturday, April 17;
Detroit/Ann Arbor, MI - Sunday, April 18;
Northern NJ - Sunday, April 25;
DC / VA - Saturday, May 1;
Miami, FL - Saturday, May 15;

To invite Dr. Cornwell for a Meet and Greet – Book Signing event Call Carol at 858-248-6196

That Hair Thing
(and the Sisterlocks Approach)

Read about why our natural hair issues have been such a sensitive issue for African American culture.Contains 50 pages of gorgeous color pictures - including kids, youth and adults of all ages!

Available from your local Sisterlocks Consultant OR

Order directly from the Sisterlocks website: http://www.sisterlocks.com/ OR

By phone at 800-456-5032

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From the Sisterlock website. Hoping Sister Jo doesn't mind my clipping this...after all, it's free advertising! ;o)

See y'all at the signing in the ATL this Sunday...for details, follow the links below...

Click here to check out
The Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup!

...or click the "Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup" badge in the sidebar

On Chris Rock and the movie "Good Hair": The Sisterlocks Response

I was lurking on Mimi's blog, Naturally Rooted, and discovered this video - Dr. Cornwell's response to Chris Rock's "Good Hair."

You'll love the parade of styles at the end of part three of the video - Dr. Cornwell's gift to Chris Rocks daughters.

As Dr. Cornwell says, we don't have 'problem hair', we just don't know it yet...







Peace, love and self-acceptance,
DL

Sisterlocks Photos: 20 Months plus update

Remember Raheemah?

(see: Dr. JoAnne Cornwell speaks at the Inaugural Meeting of the Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup Group - March '08)

Her sisterlocks consultant is Master Consultant, Calla?

Well, she trimmed her sisterlocks...

...and darkened them.

Raheemah's advice: Don't lift too much color, too regularly! Your locs will suffer!

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Visit Blaqkofi's blog to read about her "loc loss" experience after too much bleaching...

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20 month photos:

"Black women are ugly..."

The start of the school year and thoughts about our children brought this post to mind. Enjoy the re-run.

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[Originally posted March 24, 2008 at 4:46 PM]

I teared when I first watched the film A Girl Like Me, directed by young Kiri Davis, 3 years ago. Below is a 7 minute clip.

This disturbing film documents the fact that the pivotal Kenneth and Mamie Clark experimental findings, are as valid today as they were in the 1930's. Sadly, our children still prefer the white doll to the Black doll.

Used to argue several Brown vs. Board of Education law suits in support of integrated schools, the actual data set is rarely if ever examined.

In fact, the Clark's data actually revealed that more children in integrated northern schools preferred and would rather play with the white doll than children in segregated southern schools.

I'd bet you didn't know that.

Moreover, the Clarks found that after Black children entered segregated schools, they approved more highly of the Black dolls. Translation: during the formative years, Black children feel better about themselves when educated in a nurturing environment of adults and children who look like them.

One of the actual data sets:
Children at northern, integrated schools vs. Children at southern, segregated schools

Prefer to play with white doll: 72% vs. 62%
White doll is "nice" 68% vs. 52%
Black doll is "bad" 71% vs. 49%

None of the numbers above are good, but the trend is undeniable. What can I say except, 'Don't believe the hype.'

Support African-centered Saturday programs like the one my son has attended at Nsoromma School.

Additional web resources are available to you through the Black Homeschoolers Network and, here in Atlanta, AYA Educational Institute.

Recommended reading: Developmental Psychology of the Black Child and other books by Dr. Amos Wilson.

Finally, there is a wonderful article about sisterlocks, our daughters, self esteem and locking children's hair in Vol. 2, No. 2. of the Sisterlocks Journal. Giovonnie Samuels, the sisterlocked, Nickelodeon child-star is on the cover.

Dr. JoAnne Cornwell the innovator of sisterlocks has an academic appointment in the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University.)

Natural Hair Poetry (by Dr JoAnne Cornwell)

More hair poetry posts here

Dr. Joanne Cornwell Speaks at Adornment Natural Hair Health & Beauty

"Our hair is magical," says Dr. Joanne Cornwell at Adornment, the first natural hair show in the UK.

She discusses racism, culture, Black economics and the hair care industry, and sisterlocks.

My, isn't Joanne's hair 'short' in this video made about 6 years ago!
;o)



Dr. Joanne Cornwell, Originator of Sisterlocks

Sisterlocks "Homecoming" 2009 starts today!

Last night began the 2009 Sisterlocks Homecoming Annual Gathering in San Diego, California!

Perhaps, I'll find a way to meet you in San Diego next summer, but in the mean time, here are a few highlights of what the lucky few will enjoy...

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Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Wilma Wooten

(San Diego County's Sisterlocked Public Health Officer)

Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH

Line Dancing Class

Class: "Natural Hair Styling" (twists, straw sets, natural braids and more)

Waist Beading Workshop

Seminar: "Sisterlocks Consultant's Guide to Success"

Seminar: "Hair Loss Solutions"

Back by Popular Demand: Early Morning (EM)Power Walk on the San Diego Bay

The standard classes on Sisterlocks maintenance, troubleshooting, styling, coloring

San Diego Bayside Holiday Inn

Good Ol' Fashioned Black Family Barbeque

Saturday night Dinner/Dance

Sunday Reception at the Sisterlodge!

PLUS, guests will be able to meet with Dr. Cornwell and others and join in on some exciting new Home Office projects.

If you're just coming to chill, they'll have workshops and activities focused on self-empowerment and a healthy lifestyle, and lots of events that are for just plain FUN!!

There will be special recognitions in the form of the "Master Stylist Award,"

the Sisterlocks "Brother of the Year"

and the "Community of the Year Award."

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Post photos quickly blogger attendees :o)

Those of us who were not able to attend will be lurking the blogs by next Monday night!

Natural. The Beautiful 'N' Word

I'll be adding a book to my favorite hair books list in the side bar...

Natural. The Beautiful 'N' Word: Breaking the Psychological Bondage of the American Standard of Beauty

by Jennifer C. Jones and Richard O. Jones

You guessed it - Dr. Joanne Cornwell, founder of Sisterlocks, is featured on the cover! Dr. Joanne Cornwell

Book Description:

The American standard of beauty is an optical illusion that has mesmerized the world. Artificial hair, and makeup in the hands of a beautician is equivalent to a deck of cards, a top hat and a magic wand in the hands of a magician. The multi billion-dollar beauty industry has successfully proven that the hand is quicker than the eye. Hypnotically, the public applauds the deception. Most women-even some little girls-are addictive users of the hair and cosmetic charade yet, few know its history.

Most women were convinced in childhood by subliminal messages in the media that their natural hair and facial features were substandard. Ultimately, acquiring the acceptance and applause from a well-trained public became a subconscious ritual. No civilized race or nationality is exempt.

*Featuring a section about Sisterlocks and its' creator, Dr. Joanne Cornwell.

Finally, My Sisterlocks Birthday Certificate has Arrived!

A wonderful surprise greated me in the mail today: My sisterlocks birthday certificate! I had forgotten that I had sent the request form to the home office. Dr Joanne Cornwell

I have yet to come up with a new sisterlocks photo montage to commemorate my first year, so this post of my certificate will have to suffice for now!

Happy lockiversary to me...!

Dr. Joanne Cornwell

April Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup

Our second Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup was mellow and relaxed in contrast to the excitement surrounding Dr. Cornwell's presence at our first meeting. The mellow atmosphere was welcome as the small group of women present began to get to know each other better.

The weather could have been bottled and sold and the balmy breezes that passed through Amba's screened-in porch by the pool was the perfect venue.

I decided simply to post a slide show of the event. I am counting on my new friend, Sophia, to email me a few additional photos soon!

Dr. JoAnne Cornwell & Sisterlocked Sistahs in Atlanta!

It's been only five days since our first Atlanta Sisterlocks meet up - and I am still enjoying my memories of the meeting.

Well, tonight I happened to be googling for sisterlocks blogs and I came across this video taken during the training session in Atlanta this past weekend. Enjoy.

Dr. JoAnne Cornwell: Renaissance woman

We all know and love Dr. JoAnne Cornwell as the Grand Dame of Sisterlocks, but she is equally as accomplished when wearing her other professional hat.

Dr. Cornwell is a professor of French and Africana Studies at San Diego State University. She is holds academic appointments in the two departments and has been published in both disciplines.

Just three of Dr. JoAnne Cornwell's academic publications appear below (source, Google Scholar):

The United States and South Africa: History, Civil Rights and the Legal and Cultural Vulnerability of Blacks, JoAnne Cornwell
Phylon (1960-), Vol. 47, No. 4 (4th Qtr., 1986), pp. 285-293.

Neurosis and Creativity: Two Early Novels by Mongo Beti, JoAnne Cornwell
The French Review, Vol. 60, No. 5 (Apr., 1987), pp. 644-652.

Afro-American Criticism and Western Consciousness: The Politics of Knowing, JoAnne Cornwell,
Black American Literature Forum, Vol. 24, No. 1 (Spring, 1990), pp. 85-98.

Dr. JoAnne Cornwell is truly a Renaissance woman!

Dr. JoAnne Cornwell is a poet as well.

All About Love is her book of poetry and commentary about self-love, romantic love, love of life and more.

Follow the photo link to the Sisterlocks Boutique.

Dr. JoAnne Cornwell speaks at the Inaugural Meeting of the Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup Group

What a great meeting!

Amba organized a wonderful and wildly successful Atlanta Sisterlocks event. We all gathered in the Airport Holiday Inn, to fellowship, laugh and learn.

As an aside, when I parked my car outside of the hotel, I heard the radio announcer say that another tornado was seen heading east on I-20 toward midtown. Below are photos taken after the tornado that hit Atlanta the night before.

My boys and I were in a Border's Bookstore in midtown when the tornado hit. We couldn't leave the store to get to our car because the rain and hail was falling as though it was being shot out of a firehose! We were just north of the CNN / Centennial Park area.

But back to the topic at hand...

Dr. Cornwell is a joy. She's so real. She began by reading a poem entitled I Need a Name. Then she shared her personal struggles with "that hair thing." She told us about her early experiences with sisterlocks and told us about some exciting new things that are coming soon from sisterlocks. Finally, she demonstrated the technique of "threading" hair, by using locs from her own gorgeous mane!

Dr. Cornwell's flowing mane of sisterlocks

Dr. Cornwell demonstrating the threading technique

I could have kicked myself when I realized that I had forgotten my camera. I had to buy a disposable camera from the hotel shop. Sadly, the photo of me with Dr. Cornwell came out too dark. I guess that means I'll have to attend the sisterlocks homecoming to take another photo with her!

Here are some photos from the event. I am looking forward to future meetings with these beautiful and grounded women!

Calla, Master Sisterlocks Stylist (yes, those are sisterlocks!)

Raheemah was one of Calla's models

A shot of Raheemah's coil and curls from the back

Gracious and soft spoken, Amba, the Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup Group organizer, with her cute daughters!

I was one of the newbies.

Everyone tried to guess how many babylocs I have. Someone guessed 600. I hope not. I'll count them...someday.