~Introduce yourself!

I am LaToya Pirtle, a mom of two, and natural hair enthusiast and advocate.

~When did you go natural?

I originally went natural in 2003, the year I graduated college.

~Why did you go natural?

I was encouraged by the mini natural hair movement, that was beginning to surface, and I embraced it. Individuals were getting dreadlocks and I loved the idea of transitioning from chemically treated to natural hair. My hair has always been semi healthy and grew past my shoulders. It did, however, have its moments. It thinned at the ends, once it was a certain length. I wanted to address this issue as well.

~What have you learned about your hair since going natural?

My hair is so much healthier when it is not chemically treated. The texture is thicker, longer,  as well as growth at a much faster rate. Gone are the days of it beginning to thin at the ends.

~What was your view of your hair…Your kinky, coily, curly hair in general when growing up and then as an adult (before going natural) 

When I was in elementary school I wanted hair like my white counterparts. In hindsight, I am pretty sure that was because, it is how beauty was defined in print and television. Not a lot of entertainment and media included black people with natural hair.

Thus, conditioning me to feel this is what beauty looks like. There were no natural hair blogs, youtube channels, or social media posts, to encourage, educate or enlighten us to embrace the versatility, flexibility, and natural beauty that exists within our own tresses. This view, unfortunately spilled over into my adult life and way of thinking.

 What has been your biggest challenge having natural hair?

I have to be honest and transparent and say,the time it takes to maintain and style the hair. I have talked with God about this a number of times and questioned why ??? lol. I am often reminded by him, the things that have the most value, need the most time and attention.

~What is your hope for women of color and the natural hair movement that we’re currently in? 

Embrace it! Welcome it. Honor it!  There are so many options. Even if you don’t have the time, or you just find it hard to manage your texture of hair… keep going. There are so many products and natural styles that can help manage and address these concerns. Watch one youtube video a week, read one book/article, try one new product, read one blog, or try one new style. You can also choose to simply encourage someone else who is natural, celebrate them, support, or share their story. Never speak negatively about someone who is attempting to honor our culture, no matter how minute their influence or actions.

~What would you say to someone wanting to go natural but is on the fence about it?

Do it!!!!! Do it for our culture, and specifically for our little girls. We need them to carry on the torch and be comfortable in doing so, because their parents went before them, fiercely and unapologetically loving the hair God gave us, in the state it is in!

~What advice would you give a person that has just started their natural hair journey? 

Embark on the journey and keep going. There will be challenges, but once you find the right products and support you will be pleased and proud, you took the journey and stayed the course. I promise.

Also, remember its okay to wear protective styles and give your natural hair a break. That can be helpful and make things much easier, especially during the transition.

~If you could go back what would you do different?

I would stand for our culture BOLDY AND ALWAYS! I would advocate for more black people with black hair to be included in print, digital, and radio. It is so important to see people like you, with hair like yours being celebrated and featured in all facets of our world.

~Any last remarks, advice, comments?

I sincerely hope current naturals can encourage others to join us and stay with us. I would hate to see this movement ebb, in its efforts. To me it all has a deeper meaning. Our hair tells a story, is bounded in tradition, and rooted in our ancestors. Let us try our best to make them proud, by embracing our heritage with minimal, if any change to the natural state of our hair. In doing so, we quietly, but boldly magnify a light, highlighting, we are  beautiful the way we were created, no alterations needed!

-LaToya Pirtle 💜