Recently, I was interviewed for an article by a student who asked me if I think that Natural Hair is in again for Black women. My answer was yes but I must say, I find the question a bit odd because it is hard to believe that we have to "make it the style again" when natural hair refers to how one's hair grows from the scalp. So, as an author, I began looking, once again, for examples, besides myself, of people who wear their hair naturally and decided to begin with this post about Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Rodney Kendrick and their beautiful little boy Raif. In these individuals, you will find an example of an entire family that wears their hair naturally in the public eye. I met Rodney, many years ago, a fantastic jazz pianist,who played for Abbey Lincoln (and others) and has many CD's of his own. He was a friend of my brother and I got to know him quite well, along with my husband. What a wonderful experience it was to spend time with Rodney, a talented and down to earth person. I still remember the days when we used to sit around in his NYC apartment talking and listening to music and essentially, just hanging out. It was a positive time in the city.
It was during that time that Rodney met Rhonda Ross, and introduced us all to her. I was delighted to get to know her, albeit briefly, and it felt kind of surreal to hang out a bit with the daughter of Diana Ross and Berry Gordy. I remember spending an afternoon with her, chatting in her apartment and then was invited to her mother's home in Connecticut where we all met Diana Ross and spent the night in her beautiful, warm home. I had always loved the music of Diana Ross, so meeting her was an excellent experience. Rhonda's sisters and brothers were also there so it was quite interesting and fun. We went swimming in their luxurious, natural style pool and my children played with Diana Ross's boys (they were all quite young at the time) and the children went to a movie with Diana Ross's sons. Rodney and Rhonda's relationship was blossoming, beautifully at that time.
I subsequently moved away from New York City but shortly thereafter, I learned that Rhonda and Rodney married and after many years, had a beautiful little boy. Through Facebook photos, as friends, and seeing CD covers for Rodney and Rhonda and photos posted of their beautiful little boy and his appearance with his mom and Diana Ross and her other children on Oprah, besides noting that Rhonda, Rodney and Raif are a beautiful, positive family, what also stands out are their natural do's. Rodney and Rhonda have gone from locks to free-style and their little boy's hair is naturally free-styled and he has also been depicted with braids. Besides exposing their 3.5 year old son to all kinds of activities including language acquisition, skiing, gymnastics, horseback riding and I'm sure more, they are also sending him the message, by example and through his own natural do, that Natural Is Cool Enough.
So I applaud Rhonda and Rodney Kendrick and little Raif, for showing the world by example that Natural Is Cool Enough....We know that is N.I.C.E.!
Below is a video of Rhonda in the spotlight, beautifully and sharing a little bit of her story...
IMAGES
For an image of Rhonda Ross Kendrick and baby Raif with their
natural do's on the Oprah Show visit this site:
http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2011/02/28/rhonda-ross-and-son-appear-on-the-oprah-show/
For images of Rhonda and Rodney sporting their natural do's visit these sites:
1. http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/rodney-kendrick-rhonda-ross-kendrick-broadway-opening-night-of-motown_3606808
2. http://www.amazon.com/We-Dont-Die-Multiply/dp/B0000047ER/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1
3. http://www.tvrage.com/person/id-51203/Rhonda+Ross+Kendrick
It was during that time that Rodney met Rhonda Ross, and introduced us all to her. I was delighted to get to know her, albeit briefly, and it felt kind of surreal to hang out a bit with the daughter of Diana Ross and Berry Gordy. I remember spending an afternoon with her, chatting in her apartment and then was invited to her mother's home in Connecticut where we all met Diana Ross and spent the night in her beautiful, warm home. I had always loved the music of Diana Ross, so meeting her was an excellent experience. Rhonda's sisters and brothers were also there so it was quite interesting and fun. We went swimming in their luxurious, natural style pool and my children played with Diana Ross's boys (they were all quite young at the time) and the children went to a movie with Diana Ross's sons. Rodney and Rhonda's relationship was blossoming, beautifully at that time.
I subsequently moved away from New York City but shortly thereafter, I learned that Rhonda and Rodney married and after many years, had a beautiful little boy. Through Facebook photos, as friends, and seeing CD covers for Rodney and Rhonda and photos posted of their beautiful little boy and his appearance with his mom and Diana Ross and her other children on Oprah, besides noting that Rhonda, Rodney and Raif are a beautiful, positive family, what also stands out are their natural do's. Rodney and Rhonda have gone from locks to free-style and their little boy's hair is naturally free-styled and he has also been depicted with braids. Besides exposing their 3.5 year old son to all kinds of activities including language acquisition, skiing, gymnastics, horseback riding and I'm sure more, they are also sending him the message, by example and through his own natural do, that Natural Is Cool Enough.
So I applaud Rhonda and Rodney Kendrick and little Raif, for showing the world by example that Natural Is Cool Enough....We know that is N.I.C.E.!
Below is a video of Rhonda in the spotlight, beautifully and sharing a little bit of her story...
...and a Video of Rodney Showcasing his talents also...marvelously...
IMAGES
For images of Rhonda and Rodney sporting their natural do's visit these sites:
1. http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/rodney-kendrick-rhonda-ross-kendrick-broadway-opening-night-of-motown_3606808
2. http://www.amazon.com/We-Dont-Die-Multiply/dp/B0000047ER/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1
3. http://www.tvrage.com/person/id-51203/Rhonda+Ross+Kendrick
No comments:
Post a Comment