Jenell and I met on Twitter. Her natural hair story truly inspires me. We big chopped around the same time. When I saw all the styles that Jenell was doing to her hair, I realized that it was time for me to step my game up. :-)
Where are you from? Where were you born? What ethnicity are you?
Currently, I reside in the lively city of Brooklyn, NY, but I've only lived in Brooklyn for 3 years. I was born on Staten Island, NY and spent most of my childhood years were spent in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
My family liked both Staten Island and Rhode Island because of the large Liberian population. We are from a small country in Africa called Liberia and all Liberians know each other. Lol
Currently, I reside in the lively city of Brooklyn, NY, but I've only lived in Brooklyn for 3 years. I was born on Staten Island, NY and spent most of my childhood years were spent in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
My family liked both Staten Island and Rhode Island because of the large Liberian population. We are from a small country in Africa called Liberia and all Liberians know each other. Lol
Can you tell us about the culture/city life of your city?
Brooklyn is saturated with culture! Depending on which part of Brooklyn you live in there will be a different dominant culture then other parts. For instance, my husband and I live in the Crown Heights area. The dominant culture here is Jewish but West Indians are a close second.
There's lots of "mom and pop" style restaurants that cater to the dominant cultures. I can turn on any street and find Jerk Chicken, Roti or something curried, haha. And you better believe there's a Halal store next door.
One thing that I never take for granted when it comes to NYC is how late the stores open. At any hour of the day you can get what you need. There will be some place nearby selling food, a hammer, medicine, clothes, lip gloss--you name it--at 3am!
For the most part life in NYC is typical of a large city. Work during the day and party hard at night. There's never a dull moment in NYC because there's always something to do.
Brooklyn is saturated with culture! Depending on which part of Brooklyn you live in there will be a different dominant culture then other parts. For instance, my husband and I live in the Crown Heights area. The dominant culture here is Jewish but West Indians are a close second.
There's lots of "mom and pop" style restaurants that cater to the dominant cultures. I can turn on any street and find Jerk Chicken, Roti or something curried, haha. And you better believe there's a Halal store next door.
One thing that I never take for granted when it comes to NYC is how late the stores open. At any hour of the day you can get what you need. There will be some place nearby selling food, a hammer, medicine, clothes, lip gloss--you name it--at 3am!
For the most part life in NYC is typical of a large city. Work during the day and party hard at night. There's never a dull moment in NYC because there's always something to do.
How do you enjoy your city?
I love eating at new restaurants and catching the new shows in the theaters. Going to the gym regularly is important to me. For some, shopping and outdoor activities are what they enjoy. Regardless of how one chooses to spend their day, what all NYers have in common is their love of the nightlife!
NYC clubs are the truth! We have the best venues, the best DJs, the best variety of music, and the best crowds.
Where I grew up (Rhode Island), we had to start getting ready for the club at 9, leave for 10 and get there around 11, because the club was closing at 2 am. But not in NYC. We get ready for the club at 11, leave for 12, get there around 1 and leave when we get tired because the club closes at 5am!!
I love eating at new restaurants and catching the new shows in the theaters. Going to the gym regularly is important to me. For some, shopping and outdoor activities are what they enjoy. Regardless of how one chooses to spend their day, what all NYers have in common is their love of the nightlife!
NYC clubs are the truth! We have the best venues, the best DJs, the best variety of music, and the best crowds.
Where I grew up (Rhode Island), we had to start getting ready for the club at 9, leave for 10 and get there around 11, because the club was closing at 2 am. But not in NYC. We get ready for the club at 11, leave for 12, get there around 1 and leave when we get tired because the club closes at 5am!!
How would you describe your style? What inspires it?
I love wearing summer dresses and sandals. I love sandals so much that I wait until I absolutely can't wear them anymore (because my toes will freeze off) before I put them away. You best believe that the first glimmer of warm weather is ammunition for me to pull ALL my sandals out.
I like to be covered up but still revealing--if that makes sense. I don’t want my body hanging out, but I choose styles that highlight my curves.
When winter comes it's boots, boots, and boots! I love boots.
I love wearing summer dresses and sandals. I love sandals so much that I wait until I absolutely can't wear them anymore (because my toes will freeze off) before I put them away. You best believe that the first glimmer of warm weather is ammunition for me to pull ALL my sandals out.
I like to be covered up but still revealing--if that makes sense. I don’t want my body hanging out, but I choose styles that highlight my curves.
When winter comes it's boots, boots, and boots! I love boots.
What made you go natural?
My cousin chatted with me about her desire to go natural. After watching hundreds of YouTube videos and looking at other women’s hair journey photos, it was a fairly easy decision.
I've never had hair that was long and healthy. I've had chin length and healthy, but that's as far as it went.
So I figured my hair couldn't handle the relaxer and that going natural would allow my hair to grow without breakage. It was worth a try.
I’m more then happy now. My hair is growing fast! It's been 5 months since my Big Chop and my hair is about 3.5-4.5 inches long already! If my hair continues to grow at this rate I'll have HEALTHY shoulder length hair by my Nappyversary. I couldn't do that in 17 years of being relaxed.
My cousin chatted with me about her desire to go natural. After watching hundreds of YouTube videos and looking at other women’s hair journey photos, it was a fairly easy decision.
I've never had hair that was long and healthy. I've had chin length and healthy, but that's as far as it went.
So I figured my hair couldn't handle the relaxer and that going natural would allow my hair to grow without breakage. It was worth a try.
I’m more then happy now. My hair is growing fast! It's been 5 months since my Big Chop and my hair is about 3.5-4.5 inches long already! If my hair continues to grow at this rate I'll have HEALTHY shoulder length hair by my Nappyversary. I couldn't do that in 17 years of being relaxed.
What are your plans for life?
Personally, I'm a newlywed and my husband and I want a large family so I'm sure you know how much work we have to put in *wink*
With that being said I plan to buy a home in order to accommodate my large future family.
I also plan to get physically fit like I used to be. I've been slacking on my workouts and diet regiment. I lost 65 pounds and I gained most of it back!
Educationally, I have my masters and I need to go back to school for a few more courses in order to get advanced certifications. This will make me more qualified in my field.
Professionally, I plan to move up the ladder into an administrative position and make more money!
Leave us with some words of wisdom:
Where there's a will there's a way. You have to have a hustlers mentality to get by in life. There won't be any handouts. Do what makes you happy. Laugh a lot and tell others how much they mean to you.
Pictured: Jenell & her husband on their wedding day.
Thanks so much for the interview Jenell. I wish you & your husband a blessed marriage and lots of brown babies!
Great job!
ReplyDeleteWow that picture of you and the hubby is breathtaking,and both hairstyles look great. Congratulations on being natural and thanks for sharing this lovely story with us.
ReplyDelete