With it’s home base located in Richmond, Virginia, Kinnks.com is a worldwide community of resources, history, tools, and advice for people with natural hair. Kinnks’ mission is to enrich the lives of those who were taught they are not naturally beautiful, and it's goal is to be the informational source for all things natural hair.
Lady Kinnks, the lady behind Kinnks.com and her hair story...
It doesn’t seem that long ago, but I’ve been natural for about nine years! I grew up with two brothers that always had locs, and on occasion my mom would wear her hair short and natural. Despite having a loving family that taught me I was beautiful, I still surprisingly learned that my hair was broken. I guess the media influenced me.
Up until high school, I would not go to school if my hair was not 'fixed'. By 'fixed' I mean relaxed or braided with extensions. I would refuse to go out in public. What would people say if they saw how short and nappy my hair was? I would look like a slave.
Extreme? Of course, not - ask any black girl! My close friend thought I was crazy. "Get over yourself," she rudely yelled, "it is just hair"! Her annoyance made me question my concerns. How could she understand? SHE was Black and Puerto Rican. She had "good hair," she could wet her hair, apply gel and look flawless. All the boys showed their interest. I, on the other hand, needed my hair to be 'fixed'; it grew-in broken.
The year before, chunks of my permed hair fell out. No one told me you couldn’t comb your hair if it had spritz in it. I gave my hair a break from chemicals by wearing micro braids. Not having $150+ to get my hair braided, I was forced to go to school with my natural afro. I felt sick to my stomach, I just knew the world was ending. Once I arrived at school, no one even noticed. The predominately black high school already knew all about natural hair, they were unfazed. To my surprise, the world did not end.
The experience reminds me of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. The self-hatred for our ethnicity, at times, allows us to imprison ourselves. I hid behind wet and wavy "human hair." I allowed my mandatory hairstyle to define me. I was not the girl who was class president, accomplished good grades, or the one who touched people through valuable relationships. No, I thought I was just a nappy headed hoe.
From that point on I was on a mission to share my freedom!
The inspiration behind Kinnks.com...
Around this critical time of going natural, I worked in a bookstore. I found the book, Nappily Ever After by Trisha R. Thomas. The main character was very successful. She too defined herself by her long "good" hair. The book asked, what happens to the people in your life, when self-definitions like long hair are gone? Superficial relationships will perish.
I also had the opportunity to meet Ayana D. Byrd and Lori L. Tharps, authors of Hair Story during a book signing. I was fascinated by their research and the impact of hair on our community. The women that attended the book signing were strong, natural and proud. I was inspired.
I read and researched the topic of hair. I didn’t want to learn just how to do it, but the history of my hair. In a few years, after trial and error, people started to stop me to compliment my hair. How can I copy that look, strangers would ask. One conversation was not enough time for me to share what I learned over the years.
I was on a mission to share my findings. The web was the perfect place.
Kinnks' Services...
Kinnks.com is the web’s one stop for natural hair. We offer a searchable, categorized directory with over 400 natural hair links and a positive Black aesthetics blog. Anyone with a natural hair website can go to our directory, and add their link at no charge! The goal of Kinnks is to teach women of the world, your hair is not broken. You are perfect naturally.
In 2010 Kinnks will bring a much needed style gallery. We currently do not have the ability to go to the drug store and pick up a style magazine filled with natural styles. Many of them feature texturizers, and hair extensions.
Lady Kinnks’ Natural Hair Advice...
Go natural because you want to feel comfortable in your own skin. While it is a physical change, the process of going natural can take mental growth. Don’t worry about any opposition from people around you. A lot of times when people tell you not to do something, they are really saying they can’t do that something. In a few years after you master your hair, it is very likely they will come to you for advice in going natural! You just don’t realize who you are inspiring.
For more information on Kinnks check out the following
Comments
Great interview! Very inspirational.
Nine years natural? I can't wait to see what my hair looks like in 9 years.
Its so awesome to see a profile like this in a mainstream publication. Congratulations!
I will definitely point my readers to this article.
http://transitioningfromrelaxedtonaturalhair.com/
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