Professionals Keep It Kinky-Geherrie B.

Display Name Gehrrie D. Bellamy

Age (or age range): 28

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts – Political Science; Juris Doctorate

Industry: Legal

Title: Attorney

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?

I never had a concern about wearing my hair natural. My primary concern was looking old enough to represent my clients in court. I have a natural youthful look, and wearing afros, braid-outs, kinky-twists, etc., only made me look younger. I needed a look that would allow me to look professional, and also look mature. Therefore, I decided to loc my hair, and haven’t looked back since.

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

Everyone loved my locs, including my clients! What I have noticed is that clients appreciate the look because it shows that I’m different and don’t subscribe to the norms of what “normal” hair should look like. Also, I believe that locs, and generally natural hair, is a confidence booster, and clients can sense that.

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 only regret about getting locs now is that I should have gotten them sooner! I believe that my performance has been rewarded in that I no longer have to spend 30 minutes doing my hair, as I once did even when I used to wear it in all of the cute styles once I did the big chop. Wearing my hair in locs has afforded me the opportunity to literally get up and go, without so much as touching my hair.

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

I would first state to be realistic about what you want to do with your hair. When I was relaxed, I HATED doing my hair. I hated doing it, getting it done, maintaining it, etc. I thought that by going natural, I would alleviate the need to have to do my hair. That was so not the case, especially as a trial attorney. We have a very polished image to maintain, and the cute twist and/or twist-out styles were out of the question, unless you have a twa or extremely long hair. Therefore, I had to really evaluate what style could I get where I would literally never have to touch my hair except to wash it. Locs were the answer!

As a professional, it is all about maintenance when it comes to locs. Many were concerned that they would look unkempt or dirty. I moisturize my hair often, and tie them down every single night, even if I’m going to get them re-twisted the next day. I also wash once every other week and get them re-twisted twice a month. The result has been well-groomed locs which frankly look better than when my hair was relaxed.

If locs are too permanent for you, I would suggest either wearing natural hair closely cropped, or a style that will allow you to tie your hair down to keep your hair close to your head until it grows out longer, like coils, braids, twists, etc. The more your hair is allowed to “roam free”, the harder it is to look mature and polished. This is not to say that it can’t be done, but I got so frustrated every time a client would ask how long I’ve been licensed; how old I am; state that they had grandchildren older than me, etc. At the end of the night, it is a matter of personal preference, but I would not say under any circumstances that being natural is a hindrance in the legal community, or the professional realm as a whole.