Remembering Nelson Mandela

Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in Mvezo, Transkei, on July 18, 1918, to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo.

His father died when he was 12 years old and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni. Hearing the elder’s stories of his ancestor’s valour during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.

He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher Miss Mdingane gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the custom to give all school children “Christian” names.

He completed his Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute and went on to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school of some repute, where he matriculated.

Nelson Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for joining in a student protest.

He completed his BA through the University of South Africa and went back to Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943.

On his return to the Great Place at Mqhekezweni the King was furious and said if he didn’t return to Fort Hare he would arrange wives for him and his cousin Justice. They ran away to Johannesburg instead, arriving there in 1941. There he worked as a mine security officer and after meeting Walter Sisulu, an estate agent, who introduced him to Lazar Sidelsky. He then did his articles through a firm of attorneys, Witkin Eidelman and Sidelsky.

Meanwhile he began studying for an LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand. By his own admission he was a poor student and left the university in 1952 without graduating. He only started studying again through the University of London after his imprisonment in 1962 but also did not complete that degree.

In 1989, while in the last months of his imprisonment, he obtained an LLB through the University of South Africa. He graduated in absentia at a ceremony in Cape Town.

Nelson Mandela, while increasingly politically involved from 1942, only joined the African National Congress in 1944 when he helped to form the ANC Youth League.

In 1944 he married Walter Sisulu’s cousin Evelyn Mase, a nurse. They had two sons, Madiba Thembekile ‘Thembi’ and Makgatho and two daughters both called Makaziwe, the first of whom died in infancy. They effectively separated in 1955 and divorced in 1958.

Nelson Mandela rose through the ranks of the ANCYL and through its work, in 1949 the ANC adopted a more radical mass-based policy, the Programme of Action.

In 1952 he was chosen at the National Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign with Maulvi Cachalia as his deputy. This campaign of civil disobedience against six unjust laws was a joint programme between the ANC and the South African Indian Congress. He and 19 others were charged under the Suppression of Communism Act for their part in the campaign and sentenced to nine months hard labour, suspended for two years.

A two-year diploma in law on top of his BA allowed Nelson Mandela to practice law, and in August 1952 he and Oliver Tambo established South Africa’s first black law firm, Mandela and Tambo.

At the end of 1952 he was banned for the first time. As a restricted person he was only permitted to watch in secret as the Freedom Charter was adopted in Kliptown on 26 June 1955.

Nelson Mandela was arrested in a countrywide police swoop on 5 December 1955, which led to the 1956 Treason Trial. Men and women of all races found themselves in the dock in the marathon trial that only ended when the last 28 accused, including Mr Mandela were acquitted on 29 March 1961.

On 21 March 1960 police killed 69 unarmed people in a protest against the pass laws held at Sharpeville. This led to the country’s first state of emergency and the banning of the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress on 8 April. Nelson Mandela and his colleagues in the Treason Trial were among thousands detained during the state of emergency.

During the trial on 14 June 1958 Nelson Mandela married a social worker, Winnie Madikizela. They had two daughters, Zenani and Zindziswa. The couple divorced in 1996.

Days before the end of the Treason Trial Nelson Mandela travelled to Pietermaritzburg to speak at the All-in Africa Conference, which resolved that he should write to Prime Minister Verwoerd requesting a non-racial national convention, and to warn that should he not agree there would be a national strike against South Africa becoming a republic. As soon as he and his colleagues were acquitted in the Treason Trial Nelson Mandela went underground and began planning a national strike for 29, 30 and 31 March. In the face of massive mobilisation of state security the strike was called off early. In June 1961 he was asked to lead the armed struggle and helped to establish Umkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation).

On 11 January 1962, using the adopted name David Motsamayi, Nelson Mandela secretly left South Africa. He travelled around Africa and visited England to gain support for the armed struggle. He received military training in Morocco and Ethiopia and returned to South Africa in July 1962. He was arrested in a police roadblock outside Howick on 5 August while returning from KwaZulu-Natal where he briefed ANC President Chief Albert Luthuli about his trip.

He was charged with leaving the country illegally and inciting workers to strike. He was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment which he began serving in the Pretoria Local Prison. On 27 May 1963 he was transferred to Robben Island and returned to Pretoria on 12 June. Within a month police raided a secret hide-out in Rivonia used by ANC and Communist Party activists, and several of his comrades were arrested.

On 9 October 1963 Nelson Mandela joined ten others on trial for sabotage in what became known as the Rivonia Trial. While facing the death penalty his words to the court at the end of his famous ‘Speech from the Dock’ on 20 April 1964 became immortalised:

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

On 11 June 1964 Nelson Mandela and seven other accused: Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Denis Goldberg, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni were convicted and the next day were sentenced to life imprisonment. Denis Goldberg was sent to Pretoria Prison because he was white, while the others went to Robben Island.

Nelson Mandela’s mother died in 1968 and his eldest son Thembi in 1969. He was not allowed to attend their funerals.

On 31 March 1982 Nelson Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town with Sisulu, Mhlaba and Mlangeni. Kathrada joined them in October. When he returned to the prison in November 1985 after prostate surgery Nelson Mandela was held alone. Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee visited him in hospital. Later Nelson Mandela initiated talks about an ultimate meeting between the apartheid government and the ANC.

On 12 August 1988 he was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. After more than three months in two hospitals he was transferred on 7 December 1988 to a house at Victor Verster Prison near Paarl where he spent his last 14 months of imprisonment. He was released from its gates on Sunday 11 February 1990, nine days after the unbanning of the ANC and the PAC and nearly four months after the release of his remaining Rivonia comrades. Throughout his imprisonment he had rejected at least three conditional offers of release.

Nelson Mandela immersed himself in official talks to end white minority rule and in 1991 was elected ANC President to replace his ailing friend Oliver Tambo. In 1993 he and President FW de Klerk jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize and on 27 April 1994 he voted for the first time in his life.

On 10 May 1994 he was inaugurated South Africa’s first democratically elected President. On his 80th birthday in 1998 he married Graça Machel, his third wife.

True to his promise Nelson Mandela stepped down in 1999 after one term as President. He continued to work with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund he set up in 1995 and established the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

In April 2007 his grandson Mandla Mandela became head of the Mvezo Traditional Council at a ceremony at the Mvezo Great Place.

Nelson Mandela never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning. Despite terrible provocation, he never answered racism with racism. His life has been an inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived; to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation.

He died at his home in Johannesburg on 5 December 2013.

                                                                           Published by Alexis Betterson

Special Guest Stylist: Faye Bailey!! Short cuts that are in!!

Special Guest Stylist: Founder Faye Bailey!!

-She will bet taking appointments from December 9th-11th!

-Book Online Click Here

-Specialist in extensions, hair cutting, and styling!!

Check out these cute short cuts our stylists can give you!!!!

Paul Mitchell Coloring Techniques for this Season

Check out this Paul Mitchell video on hair coloring!!

Meet the man behind the Magic. Salon visit from Thierry Baptiste

Meet the Man in Charge: Sylvester Bailey

Sylvester is into the progressive movement in beauty. He looks to use his talents in direction and production for all projects that involve hair, makeup, fashion, photography, videography, and more. He sees these as parallels to his extensive background in hair styling and talent management. He's excited about working with a diverse group of talents on diverse projects. Sylvester and his partners currently operate salons and schools in the local south Florida market and generate a lot of leads for special projects from Weddings to Music videos. Sylvester has used his talents to create amazing new trendy styles that have been shown at various hair expos magazines and more. He spends big portion of his time traveling abroad as an educator and stylist for Design Essentials, Bronner Brothers, Professional Beauty Association and ADU School of Cosmetology. He a wiz with short cuts and hair coloring. Dont worry because you still book an appointment with Team BAILEY seven days a week and 24 hours a day online! Book early and get the hook up!

Want to contact Sylvester:

                                                -www.baileyiam.com

                                                -www.adutalent.com

Join us for a Salon Visit from Thierry Baptiste!!!!

          

Published by: Alexis Betterson

80's Mix and Mingle Event.

Come join us on November.9th @ 7pm for:

        Product of the Week:
      Design Essentials® DEEP Fortifying Treatment is an intensive reparative therapy. Infused with a hydrating trio of shea butter, olive oil, and honey, all designed to heal the most fragile of hair by reconstructing damaged hair and restoring hair strength, porosity, and elasticity. DEEP can be used us as a stand-alone strengthening treatment or it can be custom blended with additional Design Essentials® products for luxurious conditioning treatments that will add shine, infuse moisture, or replenish essential vitamins.

Published by: Alexis Betterson

RAD Mix and Mingle Event

Come join us @ All Dolled Up Sunrise on November 9th @ 7pm for: RAD Mix and Mingle Event.

Model Casting Call for this event is Wednesday October 2nd @ All Dolled Up Sunrise from 5-7 pm

Design Essentials Strengthening Therapy System Silkening Spray

Published by: Alexis Betterson

Obamacare's Positive Effects Upon Health Care Companies

            Most of the nation is not aware of the many advantages of Obamacare.  Now that the Supreme Court affirmed the individual mandate, whereby all contribute or pay a penalty, it is clear that Obamacare is the law of the land.  The provisions are being rolled out slowly.  As each aspect is rolled out, Obamacare will become more popular because it is protective of the American public.Children being able to stay on their parents' health insurance policies until they are 26, and preexisting conditions no longer being excluded means more consumers of healthcare insurance who will use more pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.  Similarly, the reduction of the senior gap on prescriptions will make such options more available for them to consume.  States will be allowed to expand Medicaid programs which increases guaranteed reimbursement for medical products.
            Insurance companies have to pay for some preventative services like mammograms and colonoscopies.  The government will likely require more preventative biotechnology and vaccines to reduce the cost of healthcare.  Moreover, insurers will be motivated to pay for even expensive biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.  Let me explain.Insurers will be allowed to only devote twenty percent of premiums collected to administrative expenditures.  That means that eighty percent of the premiums must be devoted to genuine medical products and care.  Insurers will be allowed to raise premiums to cover actual medical products.  Purchasing expensive innovative pharmaceuticals and biotechnology would be a way of increasing the medical product expenditures so that more money could go to executive's salaries and benefits.  Twenty percent of ten billion is more than twenty percent of a billion.  Executives are going to want to make sure they hit the eighty percent required by Obamacare because if they don't, the insurer will have to give rebates to the insureds.  It is my bet that they will elect to raise the amount of money spent on medical products because it will be covered by premium increases while safeguarding their salaries.
           

The effects upon the stock market are likely to be positive.  Insurance companies like United Health (NYSE: UNH) and Aetna (NYSE: AET) are likely to continue the positive appreciation of their stock.  There will be more insurance customers and the insurance carriers will be allowed to raise their rates to provide necessary medical care.  Aetna appreciated more than thirty percent in the last two years, while United Health gained more than sixty-five percent in that same time period. Biotechnology companies like behemoth Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN)will benefit from expanded coverage and customers for its always innovative drugs.  Amgen has a new osteoporosis drug (Denosumab) that may also treat hormone receptive breast cancer.  Novabay (NYSEMKT: NBY)has anti-infective, dermatological, urinary tract infection, and wound care products that are likely to gather momentum.
            Pharmaceutical giants like Johnson and Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) have products in virtually every portion of healthcare.  Its pharmaceuticals include anti-infective, dermatology, gastrointestinal, contraceptive, antipsychotic,  hematology, oncology, immunology, neurology, thrombosis, pain management, infectious diseases and vaccines.  Expanded coverage and expanded government programs (Medicaid) means greater utilization of health care.Obamacare was so huge that it was not understood by a large majority of the American people.  As its features continue to roll out in the coming decade, like Social Security, there will be consternation in future generations as to why there was opposition to Obamacare in the first place.  For example, after 2016, people for whom the lowest priced health insurance plan will be more than 8% of their household income will be exempt from the individual mandate.
              The effect of Obamacare is to drastically increase consumers of medical insurance, pharmaceuticals,and technology.  Insurance premiums will increase, but only if they pay for actual medical products like vaccines, drugs and biotechnology interventions.  Insurers are likely to be willing to increase spending for expensive medical drugs and vaccines to fulfill prevention requirements and to offset their administrative expenses which can only be twenty percent of premiums collected.  The effect of Obamacare is to increase motivation for expenditures for actual and genuine medical care, i.e. pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. The result will likely be a healthier nation that no longer has to run to Canada or Mexico for needed drugs.

             Published by: Alexis Betterson

Natural Hair Convo with Thierry Baptiste and Myriam Muhammad

How to maintain your hair for School

1. Decide the night before on what you want to do. It's good to have a range of hairstyles or one which you can experiment with. If you can try having a different hair style everyday, you will look stunning and it's easy. It will make everyone think you have spent a lot of time on yourself and that you respect yourself. Remember to keep things simple. You don't want a complicated style because it won't suit school, and you might end up looking strange.






2. For Long Hair: You can do a lot with it. For the days when you really don't have any time, you can just brush your hair and if there are a few bits that are sticking up, just wet it down and dry it again, then try putting it in different partings. If you want, put it in a plait the night before and take

it out in the morning and your hair will be wavy which is a really appealing for your hair's length. If you have a little more time on your hands, then curl your hair and put it in loose-side ponytails, or curl random parts and let it be slightly messy or put it up in a messy bun. It also looks real cool if you leave a bit of your fringe in a side parting and the rest of you hair in a high/side pony tail.









3. For Medium-Length Hair: You can't do as much with it as you can with long hair but you still have some options for making it look fantastic. If you have hardly any time at all, you can put your hair into a messy bun, or just brush it and wear it down. If you got up early and want to be adventurous, then take your straightener and straighten your hair then just at the ends, turn the straightener out so you will get flicks. You could also use your curler or your straighter (whatever you prefer) and curl your hair and make the curls really tight or loose, you could also randomly curl bits of hair and clip you fringe back.

4. For Short Hair: You can spike it up, straighten it or put it back in a bun, that is depending on how short your hair is.

5. Accessorize. This can be important depending on how you use the accessories. Putting a massive flower on your hair for school might be a bad idea: (1) It might get you in trouble (2) It will look ridiculous! You know the saying "Less is more", well it definitely applies with this!

6. Be Yourself. Be confident on how you look when going to school for a BOOST to your self-esteem. Walk with pride and SMILE!

Published by Alexis Betterson

Braids Made Easy

        As more and more Black women discover the beauty of their naturally kinky hair, the feud between relaxed and natural women of Color is growing at an alarming rate.  While some natural ladies feel as if women who choose to relax their hair are betraying their African roots, relaxed ladies feel that they are constantly under attack by the naturals over their choice to process their hair.   It is a silly debate as well as an unfortunate one especially that over the decades African-Americans have had an on-going riot among themselves over such insignificant issues.   Why should it make a difference how my sister decides to wear her hair?   Would the way she decides make her more or less Black?   When you think of it that way, it does sound ridiculous.

1. The Classic Braid- Classic Braids are also known as Dutch Braids. It may look a bit complicated but is actually easy to make.

Dutch Braid How To:

Simply divide your hair into two sections, tie the other part so you can easily braid the other portion of your hair. Pick up three divided sections of the hair making a crossover. Tie the end with an elastic band and repeat the same steps to the other portion of the hair. After doing so, roll the braid from the end going inwards as if making a bun. Pin the bun using a bobby pin and voila! Dutch Braids on the go.

2. The French Braid – The easiest of all braid styles. A laidback, easy, subtle yet pretty style. This blends well and looks good with a plaid polo and distressed denim shorts.

French Braid How To: 

Since this style is the most common among all braids, only three portions are needed. So to get things going, divide your hair into 3 parts. Starting from the top, cross the left portion over the right or whichever you prefer. After doing so, pick up another portion of the hair and continue doing so until you reach the end of the hair. Tie it with an elastic band. It is that easy. 

3. The Fishtail Braid- The Fishtail Braid or Herring Bone Braid looks like the thinner version of the French Braid. Sure, it looks more sophisticated, stylish and complicated. But this style can be achieved in a snap with a keen eye and nimble fingers. 

Fish Tail Braid How To: 

Divide your hair again into two portions, like that of a pigtail. Start weaving your hair; remember, the thinner the strand, the better the braid will look. You can also start weaving whichever side you prefer, be it left or right, but make sure to do it alternately. And the tighter the braids the better, so no strand of hair is out of place. Continue weaving until you reach the ends of the hair, and secure with an elastic band.



Remember, braids no matter how “basic” they can be; need a lot of patience and practice for you to achieve the look you’re aiming for. Make sure that you are armed with the proper tools: comb, a hair cream to keep the hair in place, elastic bands, and bobby pins to tightly secure the ends of the hair.

Published by Alexis Betterson

Top 10 Hair Weave Techniques!!

            We have seen the hair extension market grow over the past 10 years, now there are move hair extension techniques than ever before and it can be confusing to decide which is the right one for you.Some people will make a decision based on price, others on the hair type and some based on what they need to achieve.Here are just a few tips to help with your decision making process.
         

1. Wigs: Wigs are a quick and easy way to give yourself a quick makeover. What you need to bear in mind is that the cheaper the wig the more un-natural it will look. You don't need to spend a lot of money but it is worth investing in a wig that you can use from time to time.

2. Hair Pieces: There are lots of different hair pieces from pony tails to rear hair attachments in all different shades, curly, straight or plaits. There are also specialist hair pieces for thinning hair that can help disguise any problems. The thing to bear in mind is that hair pieces are not often very secure and could make you feel a little uncomfortable. Some of the ponytail pieces can be securely fixed, so if you want a demure look go for a ponytail.

3. Integrated Weaves: This is when wefts of hair is sewn onto a fine cornrow which is then hide by the bulk of your hair on top. It is a popular technique because if done correctly it can look very natural and offer up a robust and secure hair enhancement solution. If you look after the hair you can reuse it when you go back to have it re tightened.

4. Pre-tips: This is small pieces of hair that have been pre bonded together. They can be added in sections all over the head to aid thickening, give the impression of highlights or lowlight and length. Pre-tips can be applied using heat, micro rings or even small elastic bands. Be aware that they have to be professionally removed so as not to damage your own hair.



5. Strand by Strand (glue gun): This is when hot bond is used to bond small sections of hair to the recipients own hair. It was a very popular technique in 6 years ago, but requires professional application and removal by a qualified technician. Can give the appearance of flyaway hair that you could somewhat run your fingers through. It is a very time consuming technique and is much better for a long term wear over 3-4 months.

6) Clip in hair extensions: These are now very popular. They are best used for lengthening mid should length hair. If the hair is shorter they don't sit very well because they can be a little bulky in appearance. They don't offer up much security unless they have been professionally fitted. This is when a very small cornrow is done and the clips are slipped through for much added security. Great for an evening occasion but not advisable for long term wear. click to read more



7) Full head weaves: This technique is used when the client wants to completely put all of their own hair away. This is braided and then the wefts of hair are stitched on. This can be quite time consuming and not suitable for all hair types. This technique is suitable for 3-5 months wear. Be advised can be quite itchy is worn for too long.

8) Hook and Latch: This technique does not use any glues or threads. It is a beautiful technique, flat to the touch and hair could be worn up. It works well with shorter hair especially the Micro ring track technique.

9) Lace Wigs: Lace wigs have become very popular. They are really good for girls with short thin hair, damaged hair, hair that needs a rest or a complete makeover. Top celebrities have made them really popular and you can see why from the video testimonial below.

10) Braids and Plaits: Braids and Plaits have been around for hundreds of years. A technique that can look very simple or quite exotic. Braids can be worn for a number of months until the hair grows out, they can even have beads added to the end for that extra special look.

Published by: Alexis Betterson

Braid Hair to Keep it Healthy and Clean

One of the ways to keep the hair out of the face is to braid it. In fact, it can be sturdier than having the hair held in a ponytail plus the fact that it is more stylish. But not anybody can do a clean braid. You have to understand the principle behind it. You need to make three or more sections of hair and weave it together. You can modify it or style it the way you want to such as having two five-strand Dutch braids or a combination of one five-strand Dutch braid.

There are many uses for hair braid all over the world. In Africa, it is used to socialize as women form groups to chat while braiding hair. In Europe, it is used to keep the hair clean since most of them do not have the time to clean their hair everyday. For most of the people all over the world, it is used to keep the hair out of the way while you are doing something. Although, these days, it is more style than for function as it helps in keeping the hair beautiful.
It also helps keep the hair healthy as you do not have to wash it everyday because it keeps the hair clean. Thus, there is less exposure to harmful chemicals that shampoos and conditioners have. Do you know that it can also prevent split ends? Thus, if your hair is prone to split ends, braid it to end your hair problems. Last but not the least; it can also save you money especially if you can braid hair by yourself.

Published by: Alexis Betterson

Meet the Owner

             Like most girls, Faye Bailey enjoyed styling hair. By the time the Macon, GA native reached the age of 14, however, she took her childhood pastime more seriously. "I was braiding and pressing hair and I knew that I wanted to eventually open a salon," she says. Convincing her mother, a teacher who had 11 other children who were college graduates, however, was a battle. Five years later, her mother won. Bailey enrolled in Mercer University's Stetson School of Business and Economics studying Business Administration. Nevertheless, the call to do hair was too loud.
            After her second year at college, Bailey relocated to Florida, studied at Wilfred Beauty and got married. Then she had two children and worked for Southern Bell for five years before opening her first salon, All Dolled Up and getting her Bachelors of Cosmetology from Dudley's University in North Carolina.
Nineteen years later, she is the owner of two multicultural salons: All Dolled Up Salons I and II in FT Lauderdale and Deerfield, FL respectively and is a sought-after stylist and colonist who has produced noteworthy hair shows in the Ft. Lauderdale area for the past four years. Her shows provide a showcase for local stylists to display there creations while raising money for the community's social causes.
"We call ourselves a team," says The soft spoken Bailey, referring to her tight-knit group of stylists. "The shows are actual productions with dancing, competitions and skits, plus a full-course dinner for attendees. About three to four hundred people attend. We allocate a portion of our profits for a scholarship to a high school student, and we have also given money to the African-American Research Library that's being built here."
That's not all. Bailey has big plans, come next year: All Dolled Up's Ft. Lauderdale location will expand its services to offer spa treatments. Then there are her plans to open two more salons--one in Miami and another in West Palm Beach--plus develop a franchise chain of her salons. Yet instead of taking all the credit, Bailey attributes her success to her husband, children, God and her staff.
         Community involvement is not her only measure of success, however. Known for molding and shaping the careers of young stylists, Bailey offers her staff incentives to help them grow while servicing clients properly. She also provides easy access to financial service companies, gives her staff discounts on seminars and teaches monthly educational clinics.
          "My main objective is to build every stylist that works at my salon," explains the 37-year-old Bailey." They all work for a commission and I like to have everyone on one accord. Most of my staff consists of young women and men who have watched me over the years and decided to come on board. I have one stylist who has been with me for four years.  He used to wash my car. Then he saw what being a stylist could do for him and enrolled in beauty school. I start all my new stylists out shampooing while I train them. Clients then can become familiar with their faces.

         Then I wean them on clients from my clientele base and pay them until they build up a strong list. My main rule of thumb withthem, however, is that they maintain the same professional image and respect for the salon. My motto is to give the customers the best they can receive because they come to us to be pampered. If they cannot follow along with those stipulations, then this is not the salon for them."
       While she has held steadfast to her convictions, over the years it hasn't been easy. "I've always had control over the business aspect of running a Salon, But my biggest challenge has been trying to build a team," she admits." I had to learn how to maintain an atmosphere that is warm, friendly, yet still professional for my staff. This made it easier to have all the stylists focus on being a team because without a team effort, it will not work.

Published By: Alexis Betterson

Using Braids as a Protective Hair Style

Hey Naturalista’s!!! Transitioning? Don’t know what to do with your hair? Want something new? That will be low manipulation? Nothing is working for you? Ready to relax it? STOP RIGHT THERE IN YOUR TRACKS!! DON’T DO IT!!! Why not put your hair away for a few weeks so you don’t have to bother it? Protective styling is your answer!!!! Protective styling is any hairstyle that helps protect the hair from over-manipulation. Also, protective styles protect your hair from extreme weather, both hot and cold, and it prevents the hair from drying out. When you protective style, you are giving your hair a “break.” Many install a protective style so that they can go days, weeks, or a few months without having to do their hair!




1. Box Braids

2. Senegalese Twists

3. Havana/ Marley Twists

4. Kinky Twists

5. Afro Puffy Twists

6. Spring Twists

7. Nubian Twists

Before you install remember to:

1.Wash and deep condition your hair.
2.Moisturize your hair.
3. Detangle your hair.
4. Oil your scalp.

Daily: You must still remember to moisturize your hair: daily and/or at night. You can use a water-based leave-in, such as Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries, to spritz your hair. Don’t oversaturate it because you don’t want your hair to frizz. Also remember to oil your scalp with coconut oil or the oil of your choice.

Night: Sleep with a satin bonnet or, if you hair can’t all fit in a bonnet, with a satin scarf or on a satin pillowcase. It is important!! You want to keep your protective style looking nice.

These styles can last probably up to 2 months. I wouldn’t suggest leaving them in for longer. Leaving protective styles in for a long time can cause damage. And we don’t want that!!

Published by: Alexis Betterson

George Zimmerman receives a Not Guilty in the death of Treyvon Martin

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — Neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman was cleared of all charges Saturday in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate across the U.S. over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice.

Zimmerman, 29, blinked and barely smiled when the verdict was announced. He could have been convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter. But the jury of six women, all but one of them white, reached a verdict of not guilty after deliberating well into the night Saturday.Martin’s mother and father were not in the courtroom when the verdict was read; supporters of his family who had gathered outside yelled “No! No!” upon learning of the not guilty verdict.The jurors considered nearly three weeks of often wildly conflicting testimony over who was the aggressor on the rainy night the 17-year-old was shot while walking through the gated townhouse community where he was staying.

Defense attorneys said the case was classic self-defense, claiming Martin knocked Zimmerman down and was slamming the older man’s head against the concrete sidewalk when Zimmerman fired his gun.

Prosecutors called Zimmerman a liar and portrayed him was a “wannabe cop” vigilante who had grown frustrated by break-ins in his neighborhood committed primarily by young black men. Zimmerman assumed Martin was up to no good and took the law into his own hands, prosecutors said.

State Attorney Angela Corey said after the verdict that she believed second-degree murder was the appropriate charge because Zimmerman’s mindset “fit the bill of second-degree murder.”

“We charged what we believed we could prove,” Corey said.As the verdict drew near, police and city leaders in the Orlando suburb of Sanford and other parts of Florida said they were taking precautions against the possibility of mass protests or unrest in the event of an acquittal.

“There is no party in this case who wants to see any violence,” Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger said immediately after jurors began deliberating. “We have an expectation upon this announcement that our community will continue to act peacefully.”

The verdict came a year and a half after civil rights protesters angrily demanded Zimmerman be prosecuted.

Zimmerman wasn’t arrested for 44 days after the Feb. 26, 2012, shooting as police in Sanford insisted that Florida’s Stand Your Ground law on self-defense prohibited them from bringing charges. Florida gives people wide latitude to use deadly force if they fear death or bodily harm.

Martin’s parents, along with civil rights leaders such as the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, argued that Zimmerman – whose father is white and whose mother is Hispanic – had racially profiled their son. And they accused investigators of dragging their feet because Martin was a black teenager.

Before a special prosecutor assigned to the case ordered Zimmerman’s arrest, thousands of protesters gathered in Sanford, Miami, New York and elsewhere, many wearing hoodies like the one Martin had on the night he died. They also carried Skittles and a can of iced tea, items Martin had in his pocket. President Barack Obama weighed in, saying that if he had a son, “he’d look like Trayvon.”

Despite the racially charged nature of the case, race was barely mentioned at the trial. Even after the verdict, prosecutors said race was not about race.

“This case has never been about race or the right to bear arms,” Corey said. “We believe this case all along was about boundaries, and George Zimmerman exceeded those boundaries.”

One exception was the testimony of Rachel Jeantel, the Miami teen who was talking to Martin by phone moments before he was shot. She said he described being followed by a “creepy-ass cracker” as he walked through the neighborhood.

Jeantel gave some of the trial’s most riveting testimony. She said she overheard Martin demand, “What are you following me for?” and then yell, “Get off! Get off!” before his cellphone went dead.

The jurors had to sort out clashing testimony from 56 witnesses in all, including police, neighbors, friends and family members.

For example, witnesses who got fleeting glimpses of the fight in the darkness gave differing accounts of who was on top. And Martin’s parents and Zimmerman’s parents both claimed that the person heard screaming for help in the background of a neighbor’s 911 call was their son. Numerous other relatives and friends weighed in, too, as the recording was played over and over in court. Zimmerman had cuts and scrapes on his face and the back of his head, but prosecutors suggested the injuries were not serious.

To secure a second-degree murder conviction, prosecutors had to convince the jury that Zimmerman acted with a “depraved” state of mind – that is, with ill will, hatred or spite. Prosecutors said he demonstrated that when he muttered, “F—— punks. These a——-. They always get away” during a call to police as he watched Martin walk through his neighborhood.

To win a manslaughter conviction, prosecutors had to convince the jury only that Zimmerman killed without lawful justification.