Cassia “Jonesie” Jones
Actress & Blogger

Today’s Black Blog of the Day is Awkward Girl in the City!

Awkward Girl in the City: You know that moment when you find your boyfriends profile picture on match.com? Well, that happened to me! And instead of getting angry about it I decided to put all of my dating ups and downs into the Awkward Girl in the City blog to inspire, encourage, make people laugh and offer hope to those questioning their ability to find and be loved. Dating, Love, Relationships, Friendships and all of the moments within these aspects of our lives frame who we are and how we operate.

I hope that documenting all of my experiences can help someone through theirs and allow them to open themselves to love and all it has to offer. While my experiences are often embarrassing and at times heartbreaking they are universal and relateable by women and men across the board. My blog posts are also featured on uptownmagazine.com

Share and Enjoy

I’m Yvonne Chase aka The Single Woman’s Cheerleader; a Certified Dating and Relationship Coach to Singles and Pre-Committed Couples. I blog about living a great single life, dating smart and marriage…all done with a twist of faith. As a Christian single woman who walks the talk, I try to incorporate a kernel of faith into each post because for me, that is where the truth lies. That is why I started blogging. You can’t talk about living a great single life, making smart dating choices and marriage without including God in the conversation. In addition, because we live in a society saturated in pop culture, many of my posts reference reality TV, sitcoms, romantic comedies and popular song lyrics. There’s a good mix of faith and pop culture at my blog. 

My coaching practice is committed to empowering single women to squeeze every drop of juice out of her single life. To let her know that there is nothing “wrong” with her because she is single. On the flip side of that is getting her right for the relationship she wants. 

In addition to blogging, I contribute articles to Essence, Heart & Soul and Ebony magazine. 


Visit YvonneChase.com to learn more about this excellent dating & relationship coach. 

Share and Enjoy

CNN recently featured the story of Cherie Steffen, a personal fitness trainer & blogger. But she didn’t start out this way. Cherie had been battling with her weight for most of her life. Her sisters were naturally on the thin side but her body was different. Subsequently, she continued to gain weight throughout her childhood. Before her mother died, she said, “Save money. Lose weight.” Words that stayed with Cherie.

However, she didn’t really start her weight loss journey until a professor called her “Precious,” referring to the character Gabourey Sidibe played. This of course was hurtful. She then started exercising, taking small steps and increasing her exercise regime with time. She lost 30 pounds the first year and has now lost 85 lbs total. Now, that’s an amazing story. Learn more about Cherie at her amazing blog http://cherierunsthis.com.

Share and Enjoy

Black Bloggers Connect searched the web for the top natural hair bloggers on the rise. This list is comprised of the most unique & talented natural hair bloggers across the web and is in no particular order. We would like to thank all of the wonderful ladies in this feature. To all of our readers, spread the word by sharing this article’s link with your family, friends and followers.

Now let’s get started!

1. Cassidy Blackwell of NaturalSelectionBlog.com
About the Natural Selection Blog

Three years ago I began NaturalSelection as a way to document my personal journey of going natural so that hopefully I could inspire others to do the same.  At the time, I still had a relaxer and was in the process of transitioning so I had no idea what the end result would be for both my hair and the blog.  The past three years have been a process of evolution: I’ve had over 7 distinct hair styles (with more to come!) and my blog has grown to include wellness + lifestyle content as well as events hosted regularly.

I’ve also been able to travel around the world and incorporate photography so my blog has truly become my vehicle for pursuing my dreams and exploring not just my own identity, but global cultural identity.  The cool thing is that through it all the blog’s original goal has remained the same: to document my journey and inspire others.

Most Popular Post Is…

Interestingly, my most popular post was not about hair care or products, but the story of a Brazilian slave named Slave Anastacia and how she inspired me to go natural on a trip to Brazil 4 years ago. I first posted it during Black History Month years ago and I think that people were captivated realization that our black history extends beyond the borders of the US and that there are many more stories that we just don’t know that impact our black experience.

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

Health and wellness! Many natural hair blogs are just focused on natural hair care tips, styling techniques and products, but what I’ve learned is that to have healthy hair (regardless of texture) you truly need to focus on your body. It’s a concept and a series on my blog that I call “Natural From Within”. Hair grows OUT of our body therefore it is what we put INTO our bodies that matters when it comes to healthy hair.

Even if you’re using the best conditioner in the world, if you’re not drinking water, your hair will not be hydrated.  I’ve begun to talk more about the importance of total wellness, not just in terms of natural hair, but also as black women.  We belong to communities where there are epidemics of diabetes and heart disease so building awareness and practical solutions that people can follow is key.

NaturalSelectionBlog.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/naturalselectioblog
Youtube: http://youtube.com/naturalselectionblog
Twitter: Twitter.com/naturalsblog
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/naturalsblog/

2. Shannel Morrison of ShesCurly.com
About She’s Curly

I created ShesCurly for more reasons than curls. Even though curly/natural hair is where it began, it has always been directed toward positivity, advice and loving yourself…your true self. Hell, finding out who/what our true self even is! Honestly, ShesCurly is a big part of me and my heart now and I truly appreciate all the love that is given consistently.

Most Popular Post Is…

One of my most popular posts was regarding a particular hair growth supplement. I’m sure the popularity of it has to do with the fact that we…we being women of all shapes, sizes and colors…have been quite obsessed and connected toward long hair and wanting our hair to grow more quickly and to be more thick. I personally find nothing wrong with that. Whatever floats your boat!

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

Natural hair to me is beauty and realizing who we really are. Sure, natural hair was something you rarely saw years ago within certain communities. I’m proud to be a part of this movement but now it can sometimes seem like the natural hair community will judge another for coloring their hair or putting a flat iron on it occasionally. This this, I say CHILL! Yes, we should love and embrace our natural selves whether it be kinks, curls, complexion, height, weight, past and present. But does this mean we are NOT ourselves because we want a change in hairstyle for a while? I think we should appreciate that we are, can be and will remain diverse.

www.ShesCurly.com
Youtube: www.YouTube.com/ShesCurly
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shescurlyonline
Instagram: shescurly101

3. Precious Henshaw of Precious-Curls.com
About Precious Curls

I started my blog to document my natural hair journey and to gather all of the info I found about hair care. I also began to feature others with natural hair, share hairstyle tutorials, and post inspirational photos in hopes of inspiring others in their natural hair journey!

Most Popular Post Is…
 
My most popular post at this time is my SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie product review. I got some pretty amazing results using this product on my hair, so I’m guessing that’s why it became popular!

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

I think that we need to discuss the importance of trying inexpensive, drug-store products before going after the luxurious hair care product lines. Many new naturals hear wonderful things about the expensive hair products and end up wasting a lot of money on products that don’t work. Trying out the cheaper products will save them lots of time and money, and guess what – the cheaper products CAN and DO indeed work the same wonders that expensive products can!

Precious-Curls.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/i.love.precious.curls
Instagram: @precioushenshaw

4. Sugar of WhoIsSugar.com
About Who Is Sugar

I started blogging about my natural hair back in 2004. I don’t think we were calling it blogging back then. Anywho, I’ve always been one to document things that were of major significance to me. So, how could I not document my natural hair journey? Fast forward 8+ years later, I’m glad that I did.

Most Popular Post Is…

It is important to note that although whossugar.com started out as me documenting my hair journey, it is now a lifestyle blog. With that said, my most talked blog post is titled “The Dude in the Parking Lot.” Natural is amazing, however, not everyone thinks so and sadly, not everyone understands it. The blog post speaks about a negative interaction that I had in a parking lot. I think a lot of people in the natural hair community have had some type of negative response with regard to their natural hair. The blog post allowed my readers to share their stories and encourage one another.

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

Accepting your hair “as is” and not trying to get it to do thing that it’s not meant to or will never do, needs to be discussed more often.

WhoIsSugar.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/whoissugar
Twitter: www.twitter.com/whoissugar
Facebook: www.facebook.com/butsug
Instagram: @whoissugar

5. West Parsons of ConfessionsOfABlogVixen.com
About Confessions Of A Blog Vixen

My blog was originally an extension of my YouTube channel; I began that because I was always questioned by others about my hair styles. I’d try to explain how to achieve it and I’d get the blank stare. The visuals/tutorials made my explanations much easier to understand and even easier to explain.As my channel grew, I wanted to share just a bit more about what I knew related to beauty, fashion, etc. and do so more often than my sporadic video uploads.
Today my blog works in conjunction with my YouTube channel. Not only do I share the latest fashion trends and beauty tips, but when I post a YouTube style tutorial, you can find loads of photos and product information in a corresponding blog post.

Most Popular Post Is…

My most popular blog post happens to be A Natural’s Recipe for Successfully Flat Ironed Hair. I gather it’s popular for a few reasons: (1) natural hair is quite versatile and we sometimes want to change things up a bit, (2) eluding the frizzy, puff ball is highly desired by many kitchen beauticians like myself, and (3) heat damage is the devil!

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

Having unrealistic expectations. I think some ladies decide to go natural and are immediately discouraged by what they thought their curl pattern would look like or how fast their hair would grow and they return to the relaxer prematurely. These ladies need not be judged, but they do need an open, judgment-free environment to share their experiences of this journey they have embarked on. That way we’d have less attempts (per person) at going natural and more success stories

Instagram @westNDNbeauty
Twitter: Twitter.com/westNDNbeauty
Facebook: Facebook.com/westNDNbeauty
Youtube: Youtube.com/wwestNDNbeautyy

6. Aisha M. of MyFroAndI.com
About My Fro & I

When I decided to transition to natural, I came across so much information that I was quite overwhelmed. It meant a huge upheaval. So I thought the best way was to document it all in one place online, so I can keep track of what products my hair responds well to, what styles looked nice, how I was feeling about things etc. It was originally meant for my and a couple of friends’ eyes only. I made it public in September last year in case there were other women who felt as overwhelmed as I first did. Also, there are very few natural hair bloggers based in South Africa and although we can be inspired by bloggers elsewhere, many of us don’t have access to the same products as they have, say in the US. So I had to find my own equivalents and thought it could be helpful to share that info. I also figured, if there’s one woman out there who’s inspired to keep her fro because of seeing mine, then I’d be happy.

Most Popular Post Is…

In November 2012, I wrote a post called “Curl Care” by Dr. Miracle’s Has Made Me Mad! That has definitely received the most hits because I ranted about a magazine ad that I came across advertising this new range of products. They inferred that the range was for women with natural hair but the model they chose to use appeared to have a weave or some kind of hair extensions installed. This made me so angry and I think my blog rant was so popular because other women related to my opinion. Natural or not, as a Black woman, I felt belittled and not important enough. I as disappointed that a company as influential as Dr. Miracle’s chose to represent us in a false light.

I know that most hair and beauty ads have additional hair and airbrushing etc. but I felt that the marketing team in this case didn’t do their research. Many women don’t have natural hair that looks like the model’s and there are so many natural women with beautiful hair. Why couldn’t they use one of them? For me, the ad implied that even though we’re natural now, our hair still needs to have a certain curl pattern and look before being considered beautiful and appealing. I thought it was an opportunity wasted on Dr. Miracle’s part. There is a growing market comprised of women who are hungry for products, information and marketing targeting them and their natural hair. In terms of being a relatable campaign, I think Dr. Miracle’s totally missed the mark.

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

I feel like many blogs and sites have covered most issues. The only thing I’ve noticed could do with more attention is natural hair styles for weddings. That’s for brides and bridesmaids. I’ve only come across one blog that has a natural bride section so I think there could be more. For many women, being natural is so new and it’s common to struggle to feel inspired and do certain styles. Every woman wants to look her best on her wedding day and it would be great for there to be more ideas on how to wear your own hair without feeling pressured to straighten it or wear extensions on your special day.
MyFroAndI.com
www.youtube.com/user/MyFroandITV

https://www.facebook.com/MyFroandI

Twitter.com/cosmoaisha

7. Mae of NaturalChica.com 
About Natural Chica

I started blogging in the summer of 2009, which was the same time I started my transition to natural hair. During my own transition, I learned so much from the information that was shared by other bloggers that I felt impelled to share my own journey with the hope that it would do the same for others.

Most Popular Post Is…

My most popular post is one entitled “Mae’s Top Ten Tips for Healthy Natural Hair Care”. In this post, I shared helpful tips that I have picked up over the years when it comes to caring for my hair and I feel that it resonated with people looking for ways to improve the health of their own hair.

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

There is no shortage of talk about hair products, but I think there needs to be more talk about the importance of technique when it comes to cleansing/styling our hair and what factors truly constitute healthy hair. More knowledge in these areas will give a more well-rounded view of a healthy hair care routine.

NaturalChica.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/NaturalChica
Youtube: Youtube.com/NikkiMae2003
Facebook: Facebook.com/NaturalChicaFB
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/NaturalChica
Tumblr: TheNaturalChica.Tumblr.com

8. Lady Kinnks of Kinnks.com 
About Lady Kinnks

Back on 2006 there were only three popular websites, and a few resources like foki hair journals sprinkled all over the web. Everywhere I went, strangers would stop and ask me questions about my natural hair. I wanted to share with my new friends my new knowledge obtained over the last few years. But let’s face it, it was just not possible.

Kinnks.com was first born as a natural hair directory, providing a one stop resource for all things natural hair. I later created a blog to provide my own commentary, and it became more popular than the directory. While we no longer have the directory, we added an event calendar to try and keep track with all the natural hair inspired events.

Most Popular Post Is…

I have a few classic post that get attention no matter how old. People just love our “Guest Blogger” Loren’s hair, or our post “Michelle Obama Goes Natural.”

Our most recent, most viewed post is “One White Man’s View of Our Hair.”  When it comes to interracial dating, what could be more racially identifying than hair? People are very interested to know, how do other races REALLY perceive our hair. You know, the behind closed doors view.

Sound Off: What needs more attention?

Unity. I would like to see a natural hair association. An association that can weed out all the posers; provide training, certification and regulation when necessary. Anyone can say they are a natural hair guru, but there is no official authority.

Kinnks.com
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/kinnks
Twitter: Twitter.com/Kinnks
Youtube: Youtube.com/KinnksCo
Facebook: Facebook.com/NaturalHairPride

9. KCurly of NewlyNatural.com
About Newly Natural

I started blogging about natural hair because since the beginning of my natural hair journey, I’d always felt self conscious or unsure. I always thought that only professionals could “handle” natural hair and that I’d never get the hang of it. Once I started seeing progress in both my hair and my styling abilities, I wanted to share my experiences to let people know that natural hair is not rocket science or something foreign. It’s a part of us. I wanted to disprove a lot of the myths that African Americans have about their hair. I also started blogging because I love hair. I love talking about it, I love accessorizing it, I love playing with it.

Most Popular Post Is…

My most popular post would probably be “Texture Softeners”. In it, I discuss what texture softeners or texturizers are. A lot people, myself included, fall into the trap of going natural only to turn to one of these products for “manageability” .What they don’t realize is that these are simply relaxers with a different name. The reason they think this is because the advertising is often ambiguous in describing the product. I think a lot of people are researching these products when it brings them to my blog and gives them some information they may not have expected.

Sound off: What needs more attention?

So much focus is placed on women these days going natural. We have so many blog posts and articles about things that used to be ignored: natural hair in the workplace, natural hair and significant others, natural hair in the military. Thankfully, these issues have been brought more to light in the last few years.

However, most African American men are natural though they usually wear their hair short. I think a good focus would be longer natural hair for men…what it means to them, caring for it, how their loved ones feel about it. Men need some hair love too!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KCcurly
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/NaturalKCurly

Jessica Ann Mitchell Black Bloggers Connect, Founder

Share and Enjoy

I’m also known for writing crazy, yet comical comments on my friend’s Facebook post. On one friend’s post, she called me a fool for a comment I made. And I responded, “I only speak the foolish truth”. I immediately like the way it sounded. It perfectly described my thoughts and words. And so here we are. I started my very own blog to capture my unique speaking voice.  I will discuss everything from politics to puppies. I’m a follower of pop culture and you should check out my blog if you’re a fan as well. You may find it foolish, but what else is new.

 TheFoolishTruth.com

Share and Enjoy

About S.L. Writes

S. L. Writes is here to connect with people who are interested in untold stories and alternative narratives. I’ve started with the stories of my childhood trusting that others will somehow find them useful. Some recurring topics that I’m passionate about include self-acceptance, single parenting, internalized racism, and women’s stories. The ultimate goal, regardless of the content on S. L. Writes, is to inspire and encourage others to tell their own stories honestly and courageously. Visit: SLWrites.com

About Sarah

Sarah L. Webb graduated from Mississippi State University in 2008 and earned a Master’s degree from California College of the Arts in 2010. After graduating from CCA, Sarah taught high school English in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for two years. Now she works as a freelance writer, teaches undergraduate writing courses at the University of Phoenix, and manages creative writing projects.

Share and Enjoy

About Dueling Interests:

My site is called ‘Dueling Interests’, and my goal is to provoke discussion and debate about public policy and current events and in each article I try to add a little historical anecdote or comparison to give perspective. Support Shawn and visit:  duelinginterests.com

About Shawn:

Shawn Hamilton is a husband and father of two and currently resides in Jersey City, NJ. He is also a graduate of Hampton, University and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He has worked in film and television in various capacities for the last several years and blogs at duelinginterests.com. He can be reached via email at shamilton1911@gmail.com and via cell phone at 917-691-1634.

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

About ATQM:

All The Queen’z Men  (ATQM) is a fantastic new blog that has arrived on the fashion scene. While other sites just look at the fashion world in a simple way, All the Queen’z Men offers an ultra-cool take on style with lots of chic photos, smart copy and best of all – some beefcake! All the Queen’z Men is the reader’s red carpet, whisking them away to only the most gorgeous guys on the planet. A special feature called The Candy King of the Week shows a photo of a rugged and strapping young man for viewers to rate. Better bring a fan, the hot men candy of the week are sure to get every woman’s temperature rising.

Of course, that is not the only reason to tune into All the Queen’z Men. Eve Noir’s blog entries will give a fashion insider’s advice on the latest trends in style, dating, love and the secrets to goal digging. Every woman and man on the planet needs this information.

About Eve:

Eve Noir- also known as Sarneva Fullard- is currently a student at Full Sail University studying Digital Marketing and Mobile Development. Prior to hitting the books, Eve was the creative assistant at Cool Hunt- an editorial and photography agency based in West Hollywood. Eve has coordinated editorial productions for numerous women and fashion magazines, such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, MR, Seventeen, and SELF. She has a vast network of contacts across international magazines and various other media outlets.

Eve has also appeared as on numerous radio shows across the los angeles region, including Diva Hour Radio, Smiley Show, Louie LA Live and been featured in Obvious, Regia,and WWD. Eve was also featured on Janice Dickinson Agency and Tyra Banks show.

Her work experience–as a blogger, creative assistant, publicist, and fashion model– have enabled her to gain a deep and diverse understanding of the mindset and skills needed to succeed in the world of media.

www.AllTheQueenzMen.com

Share and Enjoy

About Black Girl Nerds:

Black Girl Nerds is a place for women to express themselves freely and
embrace who they are.  This is not a site exclusively for Black women.
It’s for ALL women who are just as nerdy as we are.  The site is
called Black Girl Nerds because the concept of Black women as
geeky-dorky beings is somewhat of an anomaly.  It’s against the order
of things in the “Black Girl” world.  This is a website for every
nerdy girl that can finally come out of the closet and tell the world
they they are PROUD to be who they are—no matter what anyone says,
does, or think.  This is a place where you can truly be yourself and
not be judged by others. If you are the one who may feel ashamed to
say they prefer to cozy up to a book on a Friday night or listen music
that stimulates your spirit rather than your hips, then perhaps this
is the place for you.  If its not that’s okay too…we still love you
anyway

About Jamie:

Jamie Broadnax has been blogging since 2007.    During that year she
collaborated with her co-worker and future writing partner at a lousy
student loan company.  While receiving email inquiries from college
students, she was blogging about the New York independent film scene.
The blog NYIndieSeen was birthed and open the doors of opportunity to
a myriad of film festivals in the city such as the Big Apple Film
Festival, Hamptons Film Festival, and the Tribeca Film Festival.
Unfortunately the economic collapse of 2008, led her to the
unemployment line and she could no longer live in her expensive zip
code of 10012.

Jamie moved back home to the place of her childhood Virginia Beach, VA
and started a second blog called VAIndieSeen about the Virginia
independent film scene.  The blog was short lived and never gained the
momentum that her New York blog had.  In 2010 Jamie relocated to
Wilmington, NC due to a job transfer and birthed NCIndieSeen (you can
see where this is going right?)

The Wilmington-based North Carolina blog is one of the few blogs about
independent film in one of the largest-growing film communities in the
U.S.  The blog is well received by a number of local film artists and
she’s been invited to festivals such as the North Carolina Black Film
Festival, Cucalorus, and Cape Fear Independent Film Festivals.

In February 2012 Jamie decided to launch the blog Black Girl Nerds.
After an evening of boredom Jamie “Googled” the term Black Girl Nerds
and nothing came up in the world’s largest search engine.  It was that
night that the blog was born.  There was a Facebook for BGN that was
launched a year before the blog was published and a large number of
Facebook fans have supported the blogsite.

In her spare time Jamie likes to write, read books, and play The Sims
on her iPad.  She loves watching shows like “True Blood” and “Grey’s
Anatomy”. Socially inept at times, Jamie prefers to stay at home and
watch a great movie rather than hanging out at nightclubs—hence the
reason why she’s still single.  She welcomes all BGN’s to contribute
to this site and loves to fellowship with other nerdy black girls.

Visit BlackGirlNerds.com

Share and Enjoy