by
Black Girl With Long Hair
The natural hair community is still overcoming its sadness and shock at the recent passing of Miss Jessie’s founder Titi Branch. Although the company hasn’t made a statement on the passing of its co-founder, they did post a beautiful and tear-jerking tribute video for Titi Branch, set to Stevie Wonder’s classic ballad “As”, on their official Facebook page. The video shows Titi Branch throughout her life, often with sister Miko by her side, and includes some snapshots of a younger Titi working on Miss Jessie’s in its early years.
Although Miss Jessie’s and Titi’s family have not made any official statements, they have also not denied reports that Titi took her own life. It’s a painful thought given how vibrant and dynamic Titi was, and how many up-and-coming natural entrepreneurs she inspired. If you or anyone who know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-8255. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
9 Responses
I’m still so saddened over this. When I took my mom to their salon, Titi treated her wonderfully and reduced the price for me. Such a beautiful person.
We NEED to be there as human beings for oneanother. You never know what a person is going through. Give the gift of a smile or kind word. You never know how that may help.
My heart us heavy for her family. May God receiver her in his loving arms.
*We are living in such hateful times. Stay in the light. Let LOVE RULE!*
What a touching video. What a beautiful, vibrant woman.
I have to say this. The only person who will ever know why Titi Branch ended her life is Titi. I don’t think we should assume that this passing was the result of depression. We live in a world where millions of people with clinical depression (diagnosed or not, in treatment or not) do not make the decision to end their lives or injure themselves in any way. Also, many people who commit suicide are not depressed. I say this not to stop people from seeking treatment if they opt to do so (you should, if you need it. I did), but to ask that we celebrate the life of the dearly departed instead of picking apart their death.
Perfectly stated.
Video is very touching especially with the pictures of when Titi and Miko were children. This is still so very heartbreaking and just so very hard to accept..my heart is still very heavy with hearing this news. As a Brooklynite, her death hits home for me and the fact that we were in a similar age category. She was very beautiful but you just don’t know what people are suffering and how much pain they are in. My heart goes out.to her sister Miko. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that she’s feeling at the lost. They seem so very close as sisters are suppose to be. I cant.imagine how she will be able to go on without her other half..But I’m sure through God she will. I just hope that we as black women will seek help and find someone to talk to whenever we are hurting or in pain and do not just keep it all in. I would think that with her sister to talk to Titi would have been able to get through this and have the will to want.to live. Life is just too precious. I just pray that we as black women don’t be ashamed and get the necessary help and see that life is worthwhile living. No matter what you’re going through. Just seek out the help and most importantly surround ourselves with positive energy, positive people. Titi will sorely be missed but not forgotten. She really made a significant impact in the natural hair care world by introducing, along with Miko, the Miss Jessie’s line. I remember over 5 years ago when I first went natural, Miss Jessie’s was the only product that I would use on my hair back then. Am praying for Miko and her family.
My heart goes out to Miko for the lose of beautiful TiTI.Mental illness and depression is real. I was so low at one point that I stop taking care of my personal hygiene and I locked myself in my room for days.I wouldn’t shower,comb my hair, or even brush my teeth.I would wear the same dirty clothing for days,and people were even talking how I gave off a terrible smell.I dropped most of my friends,besides they were bad mouthing me anyways. I would leave the house to get food or go to my little part time job.I was in such a deep hole that I had to crawl my way out of it through seeing a therapist.
Therapy slowly but surely helped me get my mind back, but it took a good 2 years. I don’t take pills and I still have my episodes which can go on for a few days. Nobody will ever understand how it’s like to be so depressed that you just feel like life is unbearable and you don’t care about anything. I could care less if a car hit me or if I died in my sleep. I thought about suicide and even wrote letters, but I could never bring myself to do it. I even went to the doctor and lied about not being able to sleep so I could overdose on sleeping pills.
The pressures of law school, a bad break up with a long term boyfriend,and money issues was just too much for me to handle. I still remember the day I decided to give up on life,and nobody could talk any sense into me. Mental illness is real within the black community, and we need to be more supportive and share open conversations about mental health and how our people can have access to proper mental health specialist.
Thank you for sharing your story. The fact that you’re still here means that you are special and have a purpose. You are courageous and I hope your story helps others too
Thank you Lisa for being one of many who do not have the voice and courage to express how real depression is. Sorry but it’s a silent plague in the black community with other silent killers killing us off. The shame that is associated with mental conditions is rampant in all especially in the black community because of the lack of education ,awareness, and where to seek help if needed. Another concern which I noticed anti meds majority of the time meds is need on a neuro-chemical level the body has to be reprogrammed or rebooted back to normal. Lots of blacks of all social economic and educational level do not want to be on TCAs or have their kids on ADD/ADHD meds but to be productive majority of the time medication is needed and theres no if and or buts about it. Which mean a whole change in lifestyle no more alcohol, no more certain foods and regular testing to see levels in balanced. Which many do not want to do. I myself have to adjust my lifestyle because metrotrexate and alcohol do not mix. Unfortuantely a lot who go on meds do not properly use them which causes the condition to be worse and maybe fatal.
Still so very heartbreaking