A F R O C H I C K M A G A Z I N E | Vol. 1 (December 2013) | Page 2

AFROCHICK|MAGAZINE2 Publisher’s Curly Coils “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” ― Coco Chanel The Nzuri Natural Hair Health & Beauty Festival is an annual event held at Reliant Center in Houston, Texas. I had the opportunity for a second year in a row to join the natural hair care organization’s bloggersphere group. It was an amazing experience to engage in conversation with other like-minded naturalista’s about hair and culture. I remember when I decided to go natural at the age of 22 years old. I saw a girl at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas spitting some poetry at an event and she had a fresh afro! I was so amazed at her beauty, and the freedom and independence that exuded her demeanor when she recited her work. Since that time of discovering what I wanted to look and feel like -- I’ve embraced every step of the journey. I decided to go natural at the turn of the century and it wasn’t cool or the in thing at that time. I didn’t have a lot of peeps in my corner that respected what I was going through and it was lonely. Today, I’m 37 years old and would not change anything from the first moment when I laid eyes on that poet. Her being and energy helped me take a forward leap into the future and into my own greatness. th After attending the 4 Annual Nzuri Natural Hair Health & Beauty Festival in 2012, I walked away knowing that what I did some ten years ago is exactly in line with God’s plan for my life. This time around, I was able to meet new bloggers, participate in lively discussion, attended several pre-events and had the opportunity to help spread the word about one of the best African American owned organizations in the city of Houston. The Nzuri Natural Hair Health & Beauty Festival features natural hair care workshops, pageantry, an awards gala, pre-gala seminars, a vendor expo and so much more for a whopping $10.00 per person! To think, that someone came up with an idea to celebrate blackness at an affordable price for everyone to attend and enjoy is one of the best forms of marketing and business moves I’ve ever witnessed. To commemorate this year’s festivities I decided to publish a magazine that will make you think, ask questions, and want to continue on your journey as a naturalista! S/o to all of the women that contributed to this publication and sponsors- your support is appreciated. We did this together! And, I hope that I will be afforded another opportunity to work with the Nzuri Natural Hair Care Festival in 2014! kYmberly “sofly” Keeton Publisher | AFROCHICK Magazine | “Be.U.Be.Natural” www.soflynmythirties.webs.com/afrochick.htm