Professional Keep It Kinky-ljkelly

Display Name: ljkelly

Age : 27

Degrees: Currently working on my MA in Higher Education Administration
Industry: Higher Education
Title: Admission Counselor

Questions

1. Based on your profession and corporate culture, what were your primary concerns about wearing natural hair in the workplace? How did you overcome them?

When I applied for the job I am in now, I was transitioning so on my interview I wore my signature chignon, which I think is very professional but I was concerned about what I would do once I did the big chop. As I got closer to doing my BC, I started to wear braid outs to work, at first half up and half down or some braided and some down until I felt comfortable wearing it all out. I was nervous because my hair is so big! :)

2. How did your co-workers, clients and boss respond when you revealed your new do?

When I wore my braid out for the first time at work I received nothing but compliments (if there were people who didn't like it, they didn't express it to me). There is only one other African American who works in my office and she is an older lady who wears a relaxer so my natural hair was not only huge, it was a phenomenon! I have had several co-workers ask me about it and then proceed to ask me about Chris Rock's movie, Good Hair. I just laugh and tell them that it is not much different for them if they have naturally curly hair. I think once I made that comparison they started to understand a little better, we now talk about products and different curly hair techniques. :)

3. Has your performance been rewarded since you’ve been natural? If not, do you believe your hair has been a factor? Any regrets?

My performance has been rewarded recently at work but I cannot say that my hair contributed to it. I think now everyone is just use to me having big hair! :)

4. What advice would you offer a professional peer who’s on the fence about going natural?

The biggest thing I've learned about being natural is CONFIDENCE. No matter if you are at work, at the grocery store or at the club, you have to be confident because when other people see you rocking your natural with confidence they will have nothing to say but respect your style. I have the attitude; this is who I am, you are going to have to love it or leave it alone!

I have also learned that no one cares as much about our hair than we do. When I did my BC, I was nervous about going to work and what people would think but my co-workers cared for all of 5 minutes and it was back to business as usual. :)

Some of my pictures: (top to bottom)
1. My big braid out! :)
2. My signature chignon--Praise God I can still do this after my BC!
3. I experiment with flowers and feathers to jazz up my look
4. Professional & cute french braid