I Ain’t Sh*t. #SkirtGiveawayTho #RunTellDat

Hola Chicas!

So remember yesterday I said that when I’m planning these international excursions, the first thing I do is search for and reach out to naturals in the area.  Other than a strong desire to turn up with #OurPeople, it’s just damn smart to roll with folks that know how to navigate whatever new and strange city you might find yourself in.  That’s one of the awesome things about holding a #TeamNatural card– we’re global and we ride for each other.  

The hunt usually begins in the disaster that is my email inbox.  Lookit, tho–

#TheStruggle #TooBusyToTellPeopleHowBusyIAm

Read On!>>>
I do a quick search for the destination city and sometimes, I get lucky.  The search for ‘Israel’ produced one, single, solitary email from a woman named, Hillary Sargeant ‘Fanga’ (the power within).  The problem? It had gone unanswered for more than a year. #IAinShit  In early 2014, she had sent along her latest single inspired by me and my work in the natural hair community!

Despite my shame, I responded to the email with an apology, and told her of my upcoming trip.  When I didn’t hear back from her, I wasn’t at all surprised, and I didn’t blame her.  I moved on to Google and Facebook and while I’d some content planned for y’all, I hadn’t found the crew yet.  So about a day before my departure, probably just hours before I found out we were homeless, I received an email from Hillary!  She shared that she looked forward to my upcoming arrival and that she wanted me to come out and see her sing!  So after visiting ARDC, we grabbed some dinner and headed over to the restaurant/lounge and proceeded to #TurnUp.

Meet Resa. She’s a CurlyNikki follower from way-way back and Hillary’s friend and manager.  ANd now, she’s our host, lol!  She picked us up from the condo and carried us to the restaurant to witness the greatness that is Hillary. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she moved to Israel 8 years ago which inspired her transition.  She stated, ‘I couldn’t find a hair dresser who knew what relaxing was.  Even though there’s a large Ethiopian community here, they don’t really have established salons, so I went natural by force’.  When asked what it’s like being Brown in Israel, she responded- ‘First, I love living in Israel.  It has offered me many opportunities to grow both personally and professionally and for this I will always be grateful.  Israel is typically still getting accustomed to including Brown people in their echelons so naturally, I’ve encountered some not so pleasant situations but the moment I realized those reactions were not about me, but the insecurities those individuals felt, I was able to release any negativity I felt about it.’  Resa is working as a marketing consultant for hi tech software companies here in Israel.

#SoCrown she is… before we rolled out Hillary said…

“You have good timing, I have something you absolutely have to see… but it’s almost 3 hours away.  Are you up for a road trip in the morning?” #TomorrowTho

Later Gators,
Nik