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4 Hair Care Must Haves for Your Next Vacation

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IG @__gedi__

by Mary Wolff

For the curly girl on the go, hair care shouldn’t suffer simply because you are on vacation! No matter what the destination may be, you can keep your curls healthy and fabulous with a few simple hair care must haves on vacation. Since I’m sure you already know to bring essentials of your everyday routine like shampoo and moisturizer, let’s look at a few hair care must haves on vacation that are more likely to be overlooked while packing.

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1. Microfiber Towel 
When you are traveling somewhere new, you never know what to expect in terms of hair tools. If you are used to using a microfiber towel on your strands as part of your drying method, don’t expect the hotel to have them on hand. The worst thing is getting to the hotel room and finding the towels are rough and will cause a big friction frizz fest. Who wants to deal with frizzy hair on vacation? After all, you’re on vacation to have fun, not worry about your hair!  A great way to rid yourself of this worry is to bring a microfiber towel with you. They are super absorbent and dry hair faster than regular towels. Put your hair up in a microfiber towel and by the time the rest of your routine is finished, your hair will be mostly dry.

2. Hair Wrap 
Vacation is a time for fun and relaxation. If the change in weather is wreaking havoc on your curls, you can easily save the day with your favorite hair wrap or cover. These are a great thing to bring on vacation since curls may react unexpectedly to new locations and temperatures. It is also perfect for those days when you would rather go sightseeing than fuss with styling your hair.

3. Coconut Oil
One of my favorite things to bring on a trip is coconut oil. It is a multitasking powerhouse! It can be used to revive tired strands that need some extra moisture thanks to a change in climate. It is also great for removing makeup, even stubborn long-stay lipstick. You can moisturize with it, shave your legs with it, and so much more. A travel size jar of this magical stuff should always be tucked away in your suitcase.

4. Satin Pillowcase 
When you are sleeping, your hair and skin are regenerating and recovering from the day so you will wake up refreshed and beautiful. Why do you think they call it beauty rest? If you are staying somewhere new, bringing your own pillow from home might seem a bit much, but you can easily bring your pillowcase! Satin pillowcases are proven to keep hair and skin healthier than other materials commonly used for pillowcases. They prevent the loss of natural oils, lock in moisture, and make hair stronger with less breakage. Most hotel pillows are either queen or king sized so throw your satin pillowcase in your suitcase and wake up with beautiful hair no matter where your travels take you.

Taking a trip is fun, but having a bad hair day while on a trip is definitely anything but fun. Take these travel must-haves with you on your next vacation and keep your curls happy!


Chance The Rapper Speaks On Being A Father, Moving Back In With His Parents

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Chance The Rapper covers Complex Magazine. Photo by Marcus Hyde

Chance The Rapper has been all over the news the past several weeks. Last week, the 23-year old Chicago rapper made headlines after announcing his $1 million donation to Chicago Public Schools.

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Shortly after, Chicago Sun Times reporter, Mary Mitchell would see much deserved backlash about her negative article on Chance as a father, just days after he announced his major contribution.

And while all this is still fresh, Chance, who is pictured on Complex's latest issue—sits down with Complex's Chief Content Officer Noah Callahan-Bever (who is also a new father) to discuss being a parent, winning Grammy's and possibly moving back in with parents to become closer to his family.

Read an excerpt of the interview below and watch the full video at the bottom.

What does being the world’s best dad mean to you?
Man. Well, I have the world’s best dad currently. Most of the stuff that he showed me has been his dedication, his time management, his commitment to being truthful. It’s all about what he’s instilled in me. So, I wanna have the type of relationship where I’m a trusted figure beyond a dad. I wanna be a good friend and a good example.

Has being a dad changed how you think about your parents?
Definitely. My mom and dad have always been really close to me and very hands-on with everything that I’ve done. Good people.

I feel like it humanized my parents to me. It made me feel a lot more forgiving towards them, because they’re just people trying to figure it out.
I’m in a unique position [with] a lot of the things you would think you would get past because of the “successes” that I’ve had. Like, I’m honestly, in real life, thinking about moving in with my parents right now. I think, anybody, if they were in my position—if they were 23 with a kid for the first time and were working—they would find comfort in being able to stay with their parents. If their parents are willing. I guess that’s just what it all comes down to; if they’re willing. I’m in a position where I want to be closer to my parents now, because I realize how important that is. There was never a point, ever, in my life where I can remember loving someone as much or more than I love my mom until I met my daughter. So, it made me understand that my mom loves me more than she loves anybody in the world, and that’s crazy to me. So of course I wanna be around her.

Do you feel like you understand when they worried about you when you were a teenager? Does that make sense now?

Definitely. I’m understanding that cyclical thing of it all: I’m realizing, “Oh shit, my kids are probably gonna try and sneak out and smoke dope and argue with teachers or do whatever.” And my parents probably did the same thing. It’s kind of sobering. To a certain extent, it’s just gonna keep going. I’m gonna have kids, my kids are gonna have kids, and so on and so forth. But, there’s also a lot of beauty in it and something romantic about it.



What are your thoughts after watching the interview?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Jordan Peele Becomes First Black Director To Break $100M On Feature Debut With 'Get Out'

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Jordan Peele just became the first Black director/writer to break $100 Million in the box office on a debut feature with his new film Get Out.

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On February 24th, Jordan Peele, most notable for his work on Key & Peele released his directorial debut on Get Out, which, in its opening weekend made $21.07 million at the box office. The film received a rare perfect rating by Rotten Tomatoes and easily surpassed its $4.5 million budget.

According to Black Film, “Get Out” has crossed the $100M mark, which makes Jordan Peele the first Black writer-director to do so with his feature debut. In less than a month in theaters, Get Out has now profited nearly well over 20 times the production cost of the movie.

If you haven't seen Get Out yet, it tells the story of a young Black male visiting his White girlfriend's parents estate. The horror film breaks down all the stereotypes Black men face when dating outside of their race, particularly White women and the often cultural disconnect through racist behavior.

If you haven't seen it already, be sure to check it out in theaters. Congrats to Jordan Peel on making history.

What are your thoughts on Get Out? Share them in the comments section.
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Teacher Remixes 'Bad & Boujee' To Teach Students About Civil War, Creates 'Mad & Losing'

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Screenshot from YouTube
An Atlanta teacher is using popular hip hop songs to teach his students about history.
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 31-year old David Yancey is getting a lot of attention, remixing songs like "Hotline Bling" and Black Beatles" to make his history lessons relevant in class.

His latest song, "Bad And Boujee" is remixed in "Mad And Losing" to teach his students about the Civil War. You'll never be able to hear the popular Migos song the same.

"I am a middle school social studies teacher and I try my best to engage the students where they are," Yancey told Complex Monday. "I try to build rapport, teach the material, and ultimately bridge the gap. Too often teachers just tell students to learn things because we say so, but instead we need to meet them where they are. I ask the students the song that the kids are into and I adjust the content to match."

"Your troops are mad and losing/Slowing them down is a doozy.”

Watch the video below. What are your thoughts on Mr. Yancey's remix?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

4 Keys to Transitioning to Dreadlocks

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IG @braveblackbird

by Mary Wolff

When it comes to embracing your natural hair, it can be a long and painful process. It can also be a beautiful journey of self-discovery. I know tons of curlies who went natural and will never go back, no matter how hard it was to get started. Transitioning to natural hair can be a challenge for many reasons. It can seem even more challenging if you are transitioning to dreadlocks. Dreadlocks are one of the most beautiful and stylish, not to mention easy to care for, ways to wear your natural hair, but getting there might seem intimidating. It doesn’t have to be scary! Here are a few great tips when transitioning to dreadlocks.

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1. Stop Relaxers 
Relaxers are the enemy of transitioning to natural hair in any state. The key to embracing your natural texture and curl pattern is to leave your hair free from harsh straighteners and relaxers. This is the first step toward creating the loc look you seek.

2. Be Patient
This is going to be a rather long process so prepare yourself for that right now. You will need to first transition from relaxed hair to natural hair which is a journey of its own and then transition to locs. Whether you do the big chop or transition without chopping, it will take time. While there are some quick fixes such as extensions to create the length of dreadlocks you want, they can be costly and the process will still take time.

3. Protective Styles  
When embracing your natural hair to begin your loc journey, you should keep your strands in protective hairstyles like braids as much as possible. This will eliminate breakage and speed up the amount of time you have to spend transitioning. The sooner your hair is healthy and at the desired length, the sooner you can do locs. It is also good practice for how to care for your dreadlocks and get used to something similar to that style of hair.

4. Don’t Get Discouraged
Locs take time and patience. You will have to go weeks without washing your hair while still giving it gentle care. You will have to repeatedly twist and loc your strands before it becomes the go-to movement of your hair.  It may take a while to get the length you want.  You may see someone with neat locs and yours come out more on the frizzy side. Remember, this is a journey and a learning process. There are no absolutes in natural hair care. What works for one person, might not work for you. Don’t get discouraged and just stay committed to your decision.

Transitioning to natural hair and dreadlocks may seem scary, but just remember that this can be a beautiful journey and a chance to really get to know your hair. When it is all said and done, think of how beautiful your locs will look!

Mark Zuckerberg Makes First Visit To North Carolina, Speaks To North Carolina A&T Students

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Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg speaks to current North Carolina A&T students.

Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg made his first visit to the state of North Carolina to speak with students at North Carolina A&T State University.

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In an opening to the students, he explained what inspired him to make the trip. "I do a personal challenge every year, and my challenge this year is to step out of my bubble," Mark Zuckerberg said to a room full of North Carolina A&T students.

North Carolina A&T recently launched The Chancellor's Town Initiative on campus. According to the school's website, the initiative was "created to bring nationally distinguished guests to Greensboro for dialogue on matters of current and abiding importance to the campus community and the world beyond."

Zuckerberg was invited to speak and served as the premier speaker of the series. His theme focused on "Building Community." He wrote about this a personal letter released via Facebook on February 16th. He would go on to share: "In times like these, the most important thing we at Facebook can do is develop the social infrastructure to give people the power to build a global community that works for all of us."

North Carolina A&T is the nation's largest historically black college or university, currently enrolling 11,177 students and is the U.S.'s leading source of African American graduates in the areas of engineering, agricultural science and accounting.

The video so far has over 3.5 million views, which is great exposure for North Carolina A&T to the general population. You can watch the full video below.



What are your thoughts on Zuckerberg's visit to North Carolina A&T?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

This 11-Year Old Started A Book Club To Help Young Black Boys See Themselves More In Books

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11-year old Sidney Keys III, creator of Books N Bros Book Club


11-year old Sidney Keys III has started his own book club titled Books N Bros to help young Black boys see themselves more in the media.

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According to its Facebook page, Sidney started Books n Bros Book Club to make reading fun for boys particularly between 8-12 years old but welcomes young boys within the reading level of 4th-6th grade. Boys, especially African American boys statistically stop reading within this age group and we wanted to combat that stereotype and encourage literacy within the young African American community.

Books n Bros has a goal to focus on the bond of boys who are interested in reading African American literature that encourages Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, Technology and more.

But it was a visit to a bookstore in the University City neighborhood in his hometown of St. Louis  in August 2016 that changed his perspective. While visiting EyeSeeMe, a bookstore that focuses on African American literature, he had a moment and his mom recorded it on Facebook.

To date, it has over 63,000 views and has been shared over 1,7000 times.

“He hadn’t seen [a bookstore] like that before and I certainly never had, so he was making himself comfortable on the floor, reading a book,” Caldwell said in an interview with St. Louis Public Radio. “… When you get to a point when he is 11 years old and it was so shocking for him to relate to someone on the cover in a positive aspect rather than it be some negative urban story we see a lot."

The club currently meets once a month and the group decides on one book to read. Although still small, it is growing every month. You can also follow Books N Bros on instagram.


A post shared by Sidney Keys III (@booksnbrosllc) on


What are your thoughts on this idea? How can we continue to change the narrative and encourage more young Black boys to embrace reading more often?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Engineering Faculty Member Lavonda Brown Is Using Technology To Predict Alzheimer's Disease

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Dr. Lavonda Brown, Photo courtesy of LSU

Louisiana State University (LSU) faculty member Dr. Lavonda Brown is using technology to predict Alzheimer's disease.

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According to LSU's website, Brown started working at the university in January of this year as an assistant professor in the Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Previously, Dr. Brown worked as a research assistant for Emory Health Aging Study. It was here that she worked on visual paired comparison(VPC) a recognition memory test with the potential to detect memory impairments potentially associated with mild cognitive impairment (MPI).

Her work continued when she took the new role at LSU. Dr. Brown is currently working with a team of scientists to discover "low cost, easily accessible hardware and software that monitors the eye gaze of patients while viewing image sets." She explains the similarities between patients with MCI and the potential to progress to Alzheimer's below.

“Because patients with MCI often progress to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the VPC may be useful in predicting the onset of AD,” Brown said. “VPC uses noninvasive eye tracking to identify how subjects view novel and repeated visual stimuli.”

Brown received a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Norfolk State University and a masters and doctoral degree in engineering from Georgia Tech.
In her first five years, Brown hopes to establish a successful lab on Healthcare Robotics and Instrumentation.

Kudos to her for being a trailblazer on this amazing work!

You can continue reading Dr. Brown's story here.

What are your thoughts on her research?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

This Dominican Artist is Changing How We See the Virgin Mary

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Art-work by Zahira Kelly

Written by Tiffani Greenaway of MyMommyVents.com

Hail Mary, full of grace. One Dominican artist is reimagining the images of Catholicism.

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Georgia based Zahira Kelly, an Afro-Latina "mami, writer, artist, mujerista, award-winning sociocultural critic, and speaker" created a series of images that celebrate the Virgin Mary--as a black woman.

“The image has been in my head for a while," she told VIBE Viva. "I have seen so many incarnations of la virgen, and wondered what one would look like drawing my own [as an] afrolatina [with a] dominican-york background.”

The Virgen Negra collection features a vibrantly colored Holy Mother, "which reminds me of home,” Kelly says.

Raised between Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Bronx, New York, Kelly, also known as Bad Dominicana online, was "drawing as soon as I was able to hold a pencil," and says that her art has always focused on women. "My visual art is dedicated to highlighting AfroLatina and Women of Colors beauty...In my images I reexamine my bicultural upbringing, Indigenous displacement and neocolonial marginalized womanhood as well as concepts of fragility historically denied to lower class women of Afro-Descent."

Her Dominican background influences her work. "Catholicism is a part of many Dominicans' upbringing and I was no exception," she told Fader. "For me, depicting La Virgen as a Negra is fusing our African ancestry with Catholicism like many in our country have done before with spiritual figures."

And Kelly's art is more than just pretty pictures. With collections like the Nude Series and Galaxy Princess, the artist wants people to think. "Can you see lower class Black women as the Holy Mother in such a classist, anti-Black misogynist postcolonial landscape?...There’s a direct correlation between historically white-leaning standards for Latin American women and rage at the Holy Mother being depicted as Black...to quote Bey, “I ain’t sorry.”

See more of Zahira Kelly's work here.
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Tiffani Greenaway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.

BET's The Quad Shows College Really Is A Different World

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Written by Tiffani Greenaway of MyMommyVents.com

"I know my parents love me, stand behind me come what may..."

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What millennial doesn't know the iconic theme song from A Different World?

The Cosby Show spinoff followed Cliff and Claire's spirited daughter Denise as she navigated life at Hillman College and introduced millions of viewers to the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience.

Featuring a predominantly black cast and guest stars like Tupac, Patti LaBelle, Diahann Carroll, Tisha Campbell-Martin, En Vogue, Billy Dee Williams, and even Olivia Pope's mama and daddy (Khandi Alexander and Joe Morton), A Different World explored issues like racism, date rape, AIDS,
discrimination, and police brutality through the eyes of students at an HBCU.

Directed by Howard University alumnae Debbie Allen, the show masterfully explained the issues facing African Americans in the 90's and taught social and political lessons each week. College enrollment and graduation rates rose as black students saw themselves reflected in the characters on screen.

According to current president of Dillard University, Walter Kimbrough, "From the debut of “The Cosby Show” in 1984 until the end of “A Different World” in 1993, American higher education grew by 16.8 percent.

During the same time period, historically black colleges and universities grew by 24.3 %—44 % better than all of higher education."

BET's new series The Quad, doesn't exactly pick up where Dwayne, Whitley, Kim, Freddie and Ron left off, but it's definitely showing the many sides of HBCU life.

The show follows Anika Noni Rose, who stars as Dr. Eva Fletcher, the new president of Georgia A&M University.

Centered on a troubled marriage, rebellious daughter, and a steamy affair, Eva's got enough
problems—but trying to save the school from bankruptcy and the ruthless leader of the marching band may be more than she can handle.

With scenes shot on Morehouse University's historic campus, The Quad gives viewers a look at what the black college experience is all about-- and, like A Different World, may even raise college enrollment.

“If I could affect those people who don’t think college is an option, my job would be done," the show's executive producer Felicia D. Henderson told The Root. "Maybe if they saw that there’s an opportunity to go somewhere where people look like them and where their excellence and intelligence is normal and not questioned, and that it’s expected. That’s just a cool thing. And that’s one of the things I love about my experience of the HBCU.”

Are you watching The Quad? What are your thoughts so far?

Tune in on Wednesdays at 10PM EST.
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Tiffani Greenaway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.

Here's The Ayurvedic Oil That Will Change Your Hair

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Stock photo courtesy of Asha + Miel 

Written by Tiffani Greenaway of MyMommyVents.com

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It seems like every week there's a new magic oil to make our hair longer and shinier.

They're "discovered" in dessert sands of the Sahara, the lush tropical rainforest, or the African plains. Amla, jojoba and monoi oils are the newest oils meant to strengthen and lengthen our strands.

But there's an ayurvedic oil you haven't heard of yet--and it actually works.

Ayurveda, (which means “Science of Life”) is a system of traditional Indian medicine that links the mind with the body. According to Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP, co-founder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, "Ayurveda is a personalized approach to health, and knowing your mind-body type allows you to make optimal choices about diet, exercise, supplements, and all other aspects of your lifestyle."

When it comes to your hair, there are three Ayurvedic hair types, says CallaLilly at BreakINK New Ground. Vata hair tends to be thin, dry, frizzy and prone to split ends. Pitta hair is fine and prone to premature thinning or graying, and Kapha hair is usually very thick and oily.

Vatika oil, an enriched ayurvedic coconut oil, is said to help with all hair types. With a blend of henna, amla, neem, lemon, and coconut oils, Vatika oil nourishes and maintains hair color, protects from UV rays, fights dandruff, and promotes growth.

Here's a list of the key ingredients:
Henna - colorant, hair conditioner & restorative
Amla - hair nourishment, delays graying & hair fall
Harad - protects from UV rays, delays graying
Bahera - maintains hair color
Neem - anti-microbial, fights dandruff & hair fall
Brahmi - hair vitalizer
Kapur Kachari - antiseptic
Lemon Oil - astringent, fights dandruff
Coconut Oil - promotes hair growth & nourishment
Cow's Milk - natural nourishment for scalp & roots

A study found that when used in combination with other herbal oils such as brahmi and methi, amla can promote hair growth similar to the hair loss drug Minoxidil, (Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2009, 1(1): 261-267 and E Journal of Chemistry Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 34-38, January 2008) and we already know how great henna can be.

Whether your strands are Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, would you give Vatika oil a try?
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Tiffani Greenaway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.

Students Pen Heartfelt Letters To Chance The Rapper After His Donation To CPS

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Chance the Rapper performs live on Good Morning America on Aug. 15, 2016. 
Written by Tiffani Greenaway of MyMommyVents.com
Some think a musician's life is all about popping bottles ans making it rain—but Chicago's Chance the Rapper is proving them wrong.

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Last week, the Grammy award winner donated $1 million to Chicago Public Schools, letting the media gathered in the Westcott Elementary School library know, "This isn't about politics, this isn't about posturing. This is about taking care of the kids."

This week, the kids are thanking him.

Three 10th grade students from Lakeview High School expressed their gratitude in a letter posted on Billboard, thanking the lyricist for kickstarting the movement to save their schools.

“After you gave CPS the push that was needed to help give us students what we deserve, you encouraged other celebrities such as Derrick Rose to do so as well,” said 10th graders Alex Rojas, Alondra Cerros and Annelisse Betancourt. “If this goes on, CPS could be saved and our schools could receive the best educational experience we are worthy of. You are one of the reasons this can be made possible.”

After a messy political struggle, Chicago's school districts are struggling with a $215 million budget shortage and may be forced to cut summer school and the last three weeks of the school year—because they simply can't afford to stay open.

Chance's gift to students shows them that someone is invested in their education, even if it isn't Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.

“There are many big celebrities from Chicago, but you are one of the few that really give back. It is evident that you sincerely care for the youth here,” a student wrote. “This is why you are an inspiration to us. We appreciate you for not only representing us through your music, but also through your actions.”

You never know how your work impacts others. Share a moment you've been inspired to make a difference in the comments section.
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Tiffani Greenaway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.

Eddie Murphy May Be Working On A Sequel To 'Coming To America'

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Eddie Murphy may be working on a sequel to Coming To America.

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A now, since deleted tweet by Murphy got fans extremely excited. The news appears to be true, but perhaps was revealed too early.

TMZ reports that sources close to Eddie Murphy say that he is in the early stages of writing the sequel.

The original Coming To America debuted in 1988, starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair and others. If you haven't seen the original film, it tells the story of a pampered African prince who travels undercover to Queens in search to find a wife who he can respect "for her intelligence and will."


TMZ has been at the forefront of breaking many stories. But it's not official until we see a trailer.

What are your thoughts on a Coming To America sequel? Share your favorite moments from the original.
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

McDonalds Posted This Tweet About Trump, Claims Twitter Was Hacked

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Yesterday morning, McDonalds twitter account posted this tweet about their thoughts on Trump. But shortly after the tweet spread, they would later delete it an claim that their Twitter account was hacked.

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They posted this generic message in their response.

"Based on our investigation, we have determined that our Twitter account was hacked by an external source. We took swift action to secure it, and we apologize this tweet was sent through our corporate McDonald’s account."

And while it's technically inappropriate, we'd be lying if we said many of us don't feel the same way. The question is, were they really hacked?

What are your thoughts? Could this be an inside job, or do you think their Twitter account was really hacked?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Watch 50 Shades Of Melanin, A Documentary On Colorism In The UK

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Written by Tiffani Greenaway of MyMommyVents.com

Team Light Skin. Team Dark Skin. The hues of our skin have been a source of ongoing conflict. While we celebrate our collective magic, some still find it hard to appreciate our many different shades—from light caramel to rich chocolate.

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Colorism, or discrimination against people of color based on the darkness of their skin, has a deeply rooted history--and not just for Black people. Around the world, lighter skin is seen as a prize. Studies have shown that "Given the opportunity, many people will hire a light-skinned person before a dark-skinned person of the same race (Espino and Franz 2002; Hill 2000; Hughes and Hertel 1990; Mason 2004; Telles and Murguia 1990), or choose to marry a lighter-skinned woman rather than a darker-skinned woman (Hunter 1998; Rondilla and Spickard 2007; Udry et al. 1971)."

In "The Persistent Problem of Colorism: Skin tone, Status, and Equality," Margaret Hunger states "The maintenance of white supremacy is predicated on the notion that dark skin represents savagery, irrationality, ugliness, and inferiority."

Look At My Black Beauty's (LAMBB) tackles history's lasting effects in their newest web documentary, 50 Shades of Melanin.

With interviews from 30 Black Brits across the UK, the short film focuses on their experiences with discrimination and privilege based on the color of their skin. Touching on race, history, and images of black women in the media, the documentary has been viewed over 150,000 times on YouTube.

Is it up to the Black woman to define her image or should the Black man defend her? Where does colorism stem from? 50 Shades of Melanin asks tough questions to try to get to the root of our issues. Years of shame, feelings of inferiority, and the cycle of prejudice are uncovered.

Opening up the floor for questions we may not even have known we had, 50 Shades of Melanin is helping us to heal one view at a time.

Have you seen the documentary? Watch it below and share your thoughts.

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Tiffani Greenaway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.

7 Black-Owned Beauty Supplies In Chicago

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Pictured, Jordan's Beauty Supply in Chicago

Looking to keep your dollars in the community while still getting all the hair supplies you need? If you're in the Chicago area, try out these 7 Black-owned beauty supplies in the Chicago area.

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Solo Beauty Supply
8158 S. Cottage Grove

Esters Store
1729 E. 87th Street

Wonder Care
8701 S. Racine Ave

BJ's Beauty Solutions Supply
8704 S. Loomis

Jordan's Beauty Supply
1911 E. 79th Street
8228 S. Kedzie

Curl Kitchen
3428 S. King Drive



Have you been to any of these locations? Let us know if we're missing any.
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Here's The Benefits Of Rinsing Your Hair With Mayonnaise

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Instagram: Dunsinfaces

by Mary Wolff

There are tons of new hair care trends floating around on the Internet. While the new trends might be an exciting way to rev up your hair care routine, the classics are still a trusted route for many curlies. One of the most time-honored DIY options is rinsing hair with mayonnaise. Mayonnaise has long been heralded as a great way to easily achieve super shine for your strands. Are there any other reasons you should consider rinsing hair with mayonnaise?  Well, yes! Here are a few reasons mayonnaise is for more than just sandwiches.

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1. Makes Hair Softer 
Mayonnaise is a great way to add a bit of moisturization to your strands, which will help make your hair softer. I know it seems a bit gross to put this goopy condiment in your hair, but I promise, your curls will thank you for it later. The reason is because mayonnaise has fatty oils in it, which we all know aren't necessarily the best to eat all the time, but they are great for nourishing our hair.

2. Stops Frizz
Along the same lines of softness, mayonnaise helps hair to look frizz free by sealing cuticles so they aren’t raised. It will also help make your hair more moisturized which helps with frizz.

3. Removes Lice
Mayonnaise is one of the oldest and easiest remedies for lice. Mayonnaise kills lice and stops them from multiplying for an infestation. It is also gentler on the scalp than store bought lice treatments which tend to be very drying and powerful.

4. Hair Growth 
Hair growth depends on hair having the right nutrients needed to create growth. It also depends on the overall health of your scalp since that is where growth starts. Mayo is packed with essentials to help growth! The main ingredients in mayo are eggs, vinegar, and oil which help to keep your scalp properly moisturized to allow for growth while giving strands a boost, too. Another main part that helps with scalp health and growth is that mayo has L-cysteine. This is an amino acid known to help with growth and scalp health.

So, how do you add mayonnaise to your routine? You can try a hair mask like the one right here, http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/products-ingredients/mayonnaise-hair-treatment-how-to/  Another great way to use this natural powerhouse is to simply replace your normal conditioner a few times a month with mayonnaise. After you wash your hair, skip your usual conditioning and follow up and apply mayonnaise to your strands and scalp. Put on a shower cap for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your length, and then shampoo again.  You are using twice as much shampoo, but you save on conditioner while getting some great hair benefits!

If hair seems dull and lifeless, it may be time to switch things up. Head to the kitchen and grab that mayonnaise for beautiful, healthy curls!

Johns Hopkins Brings On Its First Black Female Neurosurgeon Resident

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Johns Hopkins has just welcomed its first Black female neurosurgeon resident. Her name is Nancy Abu-Bonsrah.

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The Ghanian-born medical student received the news last week during "Match Day." It's a day where medial students find out exactly where they were selected.

Although she is the first Black female resident, it will still be a few years before she would become the first Black female neurosurgeon. "She will not officially be a neurosurgeon until she completes her residency in a few years," said the university.

Bonsrah completed her undergraduate degree at Mount St. Mary's University where she studied Biochemistry. She shared the exciting news on her Facebook page amongst friends, but the post is getting a lot of attention, and rightfully so.

Let's all congratulate Nancy Abu-Bonsrah on making history!


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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Here's How Doing Yoga Can Help With Your Hair Growth

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Photo Credit: Black Girl in Om

by Mary Wolff

When it comes to your curls, you already know how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle. If you are eating a diet packed with rich nutrients needed for healthy hair, your curls will show it. Did you know another way to get hair benefits is with exercise, yoga in particular? If you have never heard of the relationship between yoga and hair growth, let’s take a closer look at this hot topic.
Why Yoga?  
Exercise is a part of a healthy lifestyle whether that means cardio or lifting weights. Yoga takes a gentler approach to exercise by working through muscle groups to improve flexibility, balance, and help achieve a sense of calmness similar to meditating. While this is all good and well, how does yoga help with hair growth? Yoga has tons of different poses and moves encompassing a range of motions. The ones that help create the relationship between yoga and hair growth are the ones that require you to move in ways you might not naturally move in your day to day routine. The key aspect here is to do poses that encourage blood flow to the scalp. Proper circulation in the scalp is the key to hair growth since growth generates at the follicle level of the scalp. It also helps with growth by increasing oxygen since breathing is a major focus during practice. This increase in oxygen can help lower stress and improve overall health. Here are the top three yoga moves for hair growth.

1. Adho Mukha Savasana
Also called the downward facing dog, this is one of the most popular yoga moves and for good reasons. This move helps to get the blood flowing to the crown of the head. It is also great for relieving tension in the back and legs. It is also a pretty easy one to try for beginners to the practice. Here is a brief video showing you how to perform this move.


2. Uttanasana
This pose, also called a forward fold, is similar to the downward facing dog, but may be slightly easier for some beginners. It is similar to touching your toes except you will be reaching back to hold the back of your calves or ankles for an extended stretch. The move helps with blood flow to the scalp simply from the position the body is in which helps generate new hair growth. It will also help loosen up your calves and hamstrings as an added bonus! Here is a quick guide on achieving this pose.


3. Sasankasana
Another pose focusing on keeping the blood flowing to the crown, this move is a variation on the above-mentioned pose. It is performed kneeling as opposed to standing up so it may be easier for certain people to perform. This move is great at getting the blood pumping and also lengthening the spine.

While these yoga moves focus on upside down head motions to improve circulation, yoga, in general, can be great for your overall health. Remember, the healthier you are, the healthier your curls will be! Below is a video showing the rabbit pose.



What has your experience with yoga so far? Share in the comments section?

Meet The 8-Year-Old Whose Book Made The 'Amazon Best Seller' List

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Pictured: 8-year-old, Nia Mia Reese. She wrote her first book at 8 and made the Amazon Best-Seller list.

How often have you heard 8-year-old and best seller in the same sentence? It's probably a first for us.

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8-year-old Nia Mia Reese is doing some pretty amazing things. Reese recently made the Amazon Best Seller list for her book titled "How To Deal With And Care For Your Annoying Little Brother."

The book has been getting a lot of attention, even securing her a recent appearance on CBS Evening News With Scott Pelley.

Reese wrote the book last summer after her first-grade teacher, Beth Hankins asked the class to write about something they were experts on, according to AL.com. She would write about her "annoying" 5-year-old brother, Ronald Michael. Nia said it only took her a few days to write.

"How To Deal With And Care For Your Annoying Little Brother" was published earlier this year by Yorkshire Publishing. Reese would contact a publisher asking for advice, only to learn that they loved the concept.

Her book currently sits at No. 7 on Amazon's Best-Seller List under Parenting and Relationships. It's also listed under Amazon's Movers and Shakers.

The book features universal lessons on patience, kindness and love. Mya says through this experience, "I learned to follow my own dreams."



You can purchase Nia's book here.

What are your thoughts on Nia's new book?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

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