Local support for Columbus naturals

After years of chemical dependence, embarking on the journey to cultivating healthy, natural hair can be an overwhelming endeavor. Since natural hair behaves differently than its relaxed counterpart, it takes time and patience to find just the right maintenance routines, products and styles that make the process fruitful. For most natural novices, the starting point of their journey back to natural is filled with questions they are clueless to answer on their own, which can make the experience a frustrating one. This is where belonging to a knowledgeable and compassionate support group can be the difference between standing strong in your natural decision and finding yourself in the “relaxer aisle” of you local beauty supply store.

Here in Columbus, Nappturally Me! eliminates the point of natural contention, giving newbies and veterans alike a communal safe haven to learn, share and form bonds that extend beyond their hair. Originally organized via the Meetup.com Website by M. Michelle George, author of “The Knotty Truth”, Nappturally Me!’s purpose was to offer a face-to-face medium for natural hair wearers to gain encouragement and instruction in all facets of natural hair care. When George had to step down early last year, Kendra Haskin joined the group in August after relocating back to Ohio from Texas. It was her hope to continue the lines of support she fostered there.

“While in Texas I was a part of Nappiology DFW and I loved the support and information that I gained from the events held there. I didn't want to lose that type of support when I moved to Columbus.” explains Ms. Haskin, who started her natural journey in 2008. “Chele had decided to step down from Nappturally Me! right before I moved back to Columbus and the group was going to go away unless someone else stepped up.”

After weeks of checking the group’s Meetup.com page to see if any of the previous members would take up the reigns, Kendra decided to take the matter into her own hands and became the group's organizer in December.

“I went to the Meetup site everyday to see if someone was going to save the group, because it was going away before I was scheduled to move back. By the time there was like 3 days left before the group went away for good, I went ahead and stepped up.”

With the group’s “contract” renewed, Kendra enlisted the help of several members who serve as co-organizers, and began to breathe life back into Naturally Me!.

Group events span from educational to social and Napturally Me!’s membership base is made up of Columbus residents from all walks of life. Whether you’re young, old, married, divorced, a fulltime employee or fulltime student, if you sport natural hair, are transitioning to that state or want to learn more about caring for the crowning glory of a loved one, you are welcome to join. And contrary to what one might think, membership is not limited to women.

“We have two male members and hope to have more.” Kendra clarifies. “We have a very diverse group of individuals.”

For those who are wondering, the only requirement for becoming a Nappturally Me! member is to have an interest in natural hair. You don't need to have natural hair yourself to join, and at present, there are no membership dues or other obligations expected of members. Additionally, event organizing and hosting is open to all members no matter how long you’ve been a part of the group.

“I encourage all members to take an active role in creating the types of events they would like to see happening with Nappturally Me!” Ms. Haksin boasts. “Anytime a member has an idea for an event all they have to do is Email the details to me or any of the other organizers and we will post the event on the calendar.”

As for upcoming events, Nappturally Me! will be hosting a potluck and viewing of Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” on Saturday, February 20 at 2:30 PM at the Westerville Public Library. On Saturday, February 27 the group will be hosting a “Hair Journal How-To” workshop at the Old Worthington Library.

Although Nappturally Me! is the only Ohio Meetup for natural hair, Kendra’s idea for the group is a broad endeavor that includes “napturals” statewide.”

“My vision is to branch out and link up with other napptural groups in places like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Akron, and to have an Ohio Natural Hair Expo type event.” she expresses. “I also would like Nappturally Me! to connect with natural hair groups around the country and have a National Natural Hair Meetup once a year, ideally at the Taliah Waajid- Natural World Hair and Health Beauty Show in Atlanta.”

Although just six months old, Nappturally Me! exhibits an impressive eighty-one member foundation, and looking for more. So if you’re a Columbus natural in need of a support home, be sure to surf on over to the groups Meetup.com page at http://www.meetup.com/NappturallyMe, and make plan to attend one of the upcoming events.