Where are you from and what do you do?
S: I’m from Houston, TX, but currently living in San Francisco, CA. I’m in school….some day I’ll be an attorney, but I always have been and ALWAYS will be a writer. I also blog and am launching a magazine soon to highlight the Black experience that takes place off the beaten path. (Shout out to my fellow AfroPunks out there!)
AfroPunk revolves around music, celebrating black rock, (particularly punk/hardcore punk, but all types of rock music are represented). We (Black people) are so creative and special and diverse. AfroPunk celebrates the other Black experience….the one that the media and society as a whole doesn’t shine light on because they just do’t get it. Just because I’m a fro’d out sister doesn’t mean that I automatically listen to Hip-Hop and R&B or act/dress/live a certain way.
When did you go natural?
S: I started transitioning in October 2008 and big chopped on March 12th of this year. Unhealthy relaxed hair was never an issue for me. I was never into weave so I didn’t have breakage at the hairline or anything. Everything was peachy, right? WRONG.
I kept my hair straight not because I wanted to, but because I felt I had to. When I reached a certain point in my life though, that was just no longer acceptable. Plus, there’s nothing more beautiful to me than natural Black hair.
What style do you love to rock?
S: My favorite style of the moment is the braid out. Its super simple, works for a whole week (loose, pinned up on one or both sides or as a frohawk) and best of all, it even works with my inevitable frizz.
For a while, I was too chicken to experiment so I rocked a curly fro, puff or cornrows in front with a curly fro in back pretty much all the time. That was boring though. I was missing out on all of the fun of having these corkscrews, coils and kinks.
Do you prefer natural hair?
S: I definitely prefer natural. I am finally rounding the corner to understanding who I am, not who everyone says I should be or expects me to be. My relaxed hair was an outward symbol of my inner struggle to break free from conformity and expectation to live true to myself. My subconscious need to fit in and be accepted was stifling my potential to create…love…live.
When I big chopped, I felt free inside. I looked in the mirror for the first time and saw no masks, nothing to hide behind. I saw the real me…and I loved it. “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
For more of Sierra check out her blog, https://withanamelikesierra.blogspot.com/
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26 Responses
Hey Sierra you are gorgeous any way you rock your style. We are from the same roots so how can I get back to the natural without going bald..:-0 you are awesome babygirl and your writings are absolutely inspirational….Love you keep on doin what you do….
Love the hair! GORGEOUS!
You look beautiful and your story inspires me!
wow sierra u make me want to go natural right now!
Gorgeous ladies!
I’m one of those in the meeting who pulls knots out too. That made me laugh!
Loving the style cuz but I have u beat went natural back in Jan.2002 when I cut all the hair off and went with a low cut fade for 5yrs. then decided to grow it all back been 2 almost 3yrs now since i started growing it again and still no perms although i’ve got the wildest bush on the head now but love the natural too.
Wonderful Interview! Sierra, you hair is gwageous girl! I can’t wait for the magazine. Continue to do your thing and keep striving and believing in yourself. You can achieve the impossible!
You look great Sierra, keep it up!
I’m lovin’ it!!! I am on my way back to my roots! Very encouraging. I rememeber the road you had to travel to get to this point! I am am excited for you! Love ya!!!!!
Thanks so much for all the love, guys! You are all beautiful!!! I’m so happy that BGLH provides a platform to learn about and celebrate natural hair! Rock on…
Love the interview Sierra. Your hair looks gorgeous and you look beautiful.
Great look lil Cuz. Keep it indie. Stay true to Y.O.U.
I love it natural beauty is the best you are inspiration for me … Your look is unique and beautiful … You are speaking the truth … represent gurl …
I meant “Coarse” not “Course”.
This girl is beautiful on the inside and out. Her words are so encouraging. Love you Sierra!!!
An inspirational interview Sierra!
As far back I can remember, I started getting relaxers at the age of 7. After so many touch-ups over the years, and into adulthood, I had actually forgotten what my natural texture is. I definitely felt that I had to maintain chemically-straightened hair in order to appease those who frown at natural hair; especially if it’s thick and course. One day, I made the decision that I couldn’t care less about the negative outlook regarding natural hair. I finally did the BC in May 2008. And when I mention the BC I mean I cut it ALL off until I nearly had a close-cropped haircut. I was serious! Believe me, I’m not on here to suggest or demand to anyone regarding what they either should or shouldn’t do to their hair, but for me, NEVER AGAIN will I ever use another relaxer.
Thank you so much Sierra! Oh and I also have to mention that you wear the baddest earrings. Love it!
I think that a natural way is the best and she truly represent
Many layers of cultural texture with this growth of self love
With powerful looking hair love it.
Love!
Suuuperb.
Wow I love what you said about keeping your hair straight because you felt you “had to”. That’s how I felt. People always said my relaxed hair was long, healthy, and thick and why did I cut it. B.c I felt like it and didn’t want relaxed hair anymore. I hadn’t wanted it for years but I was worried about everyone’s opinion of me would be if I cut it. I’m so glad you decided to do what you wanted to do. You look beautifuL 🙂
Awesome pictures! Can’t wait for my fro to get that big!
Get it GAL!!!! You looking AWESOME!!!! Keep it natural!!! Holla from H-town!
Love the hair/earring combo in the first picture. You look great!
Sierra, you rock! I love the hairdos and keep writing! I just want to say, “Beautiful.”
Very inspiring for all women. Let’s keep it natural ladies…no matter your background!
~Cat, SF
Sierra you look GORGEOUS as always… love the “do” and keep rockin the faux-hawk… that is super awesome!…. come back to TeXaS and give me a shout! Sarah Prewitt