February is Black History Month: Natural Hair BLACKOUT Challenge!

As you probably already know, February is Black History Month. While I'm a tremendous advocate of Black history being 365 days a year (well, 366 days this year), I would be remissed if I didn't take advantage of the next 29 days to issue a challenge near and dear to my heart:

The Natural Hair BLACKOUT Challenge!

If you've been rolling with me for a while, then you know I've been talking about supporting small Black-owned natural hair businesses for a few years now. Check the receipts on the series I did with Black Girl Long Hair:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4 (Black Owned Beauty Supply Stores)

The core of the Natural Hair BLACKOUT Challenge is this: to purchase and use only products from Black-owned businesses on my hair during the month of February. I'm talking Be Kekoa. tgin. The Mane Choice. CURLS. Mielle Organics. Soultanicals. Kyra's Shea Medleys. Eden BodyWorks. Up North Naturals. Obia Natural Hair Care. Hydratherma Naturals. If there's a product in my regimen that's holy grail status but not Black owned, my challenge is to find a replacement.

The point of the Natural Hair BLACKOUT Challenge is not to "limit" myself, but rather to make a conscious decision to financially invest in, and support Black owned businesses in an arena that I am most vocal - natural hair. It also serves as a way to remember who supported who first.

When I say that, I mean, recognizing that the L'Oreals, the Garniers, the Pantenes, and the relaxer companies with our faces on the box were terribly unbothered by our natural hair until they realized how profitable the natural hair industry was. I speak with my platforms (blog & social media), but I also speak with my wallet.

I'm encouraging you all to the same, and stand along with me this February. Take the Natural Hair BLACKOUT Challenge in your own way. If you can't afford to completely overhaul your regimen, then commit to purchasing at least one product from a Black owned natural hair business. Take advantage of at least one sale (I'll be sure to share them all on FACEBOOK, so be sure to like my page!) And if you really are about that life, go ALL IN with me!

Chat with me in the comments below -- share some of your favorite Black owned natural hair brands, and let me know if you're joining me this February for the Natural Hair BLACKOUT Challenge!



from The Mane Objective http://ift.tt/1QC9483