Saturday, March 28, 2009

BlaqKofi's First Installation

I completed my first installation last week. It was a learning as well as moving experience to personally introduce someone to the freedom of Sisterlocks. A thousand thanks to my first client, I'll affectionately refer to her as "Abuelita," for her patience and confidence in me and my abilities.



I visited a Harlem Renaissance traveling exhibit at my local museum of art this past week and was moved by this photo taken by James VanDerZee in 1928 entitled, "Cosmeticians." (I couldn't find a larger image to share.)

I stood there, gazing at each beautiful, black, hopeful face. I looked again at each, studying their processed hair and the significance of my first Sisterlocks installation took on greater personal meaning for me. I am thankful to live in a time where I can witness the first African American President and women of color proudly wear their kinky crowns of hair glory for the world to see. I reflected on my client's beaming face as she looked in the mirror and saw for the first time her own beauty in its most natural form. Mental chains broken and one more walking, talking, sharing Sisterlocks soldier - powerful!


Perhaps these photos from 1928 and 2009 can communicate more succinctly the progress we have made as African American women in our self knowledge and awareness.















Lockticians, 2009
























Thank you to all the Oklahoma sisters who have given me such a warm reception. I'm proud to play a small role in our natural freedom because as I always say, "it's natural to be natural."


BlaqKofi
Sisterlocks Training Associate




Cosmeticians, 1928







34 comments:

V @ Locks-N-Motion said...

You did an excelent job!
It looks really good! I know she is extremely happy with her new locks!

CaribSun said...

Wow!! Your work looks so very professional. The partings are very neat and tidy. You have done an excellent job. No surprise that your first client is smiling like that,

Avartsy said...

gosh, it looks so amazing...tiny and neat...nice...r u sure u're still training, looks like a pro's work lady! congrats!!!!

robinc said...

Her locks look beautiful! You did a great job! I have traditional locks (April I will be 1 yr locked) and have been surfing blogs and photos of Sisterlocked ladies...I am contemplating :)

peace&blessings ~robinc

KnottyAuthor said...

wow, congrats...so, do you need a license in your state to do 'hair'? this is exciting! you did great work,lady!

Locks and Kee said...

Great Job!!! Her hair looks great, you should be very proud of yourself. It's so exciting to watch a clients hair mature.

~Kee~

www.locksandkee.com
www.locksandkee.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Congrats on your first client. I think your clients will be the new source of *loc envy* quite a few beginners seem to be having, particularly with clients who have super neat partings lol. Well done!

foxydiva said...

Chinue is right, your grids are sooo perfect. Your work looks like that of a seasoned professional. How long did it take you all? Please keep us posted on her progress if she doesn't mind. Would love to be able to go on your journey with you. Nice work!!!!

Angel Locs said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

For your first time you did an excellent job, her hair looks absolutely wonderful. Prefectionately and Passionately created you can tell your work was done with love for what you were doing which was simply bringing out the natural within your client.

I agree with Caribsun, I can see why your client has such a HUGE smile on her face.

Allecia said...

So meticulous! You should be proud of the work that you did.

Sauda said...

Wow Blaq! Great work! You would never think that she is your first client. She will be smiling for a very long time. I am curious as to how many locks you installed in her hair? Again, very very well done. That is a reflection of great pride in your work. Congratulations!!!

HtheRealist said...

Wow!! Her hair looks great.Your work look as if you have been doing this for years. Congratulations on your first client's success. Keep up the good work.

NubianLockedPrincess said...

Congrats! You did a wonderful job

Mali said...

Wow, her hair looks absolutely beautiful! I KNEW you would do a fantastic job simply because of your passion for Sisterlocks and your concern for doing it right. I can't wait to see her progress.

You might be able to quit your day job at this rate! ;-)

JUST Euphoria said...

Great job I hope she really enjoys her locks as I have mines. See how God moves fresh out of traing and already doing your thang, how long did it take and was it done in a one day session? And how many locks do you think she has?

JUST Euphoria said...

And does this mean that you will be doing the maintance on your hair? Or will GiGi still be your consultant? Don't know if you got my e-mail me & hubby are going to maui for our 2nd anniversory did you have any tips om how to save money & can you recommend some must see's.

Tawanna said...

Wow you did a wonderful job!

Sereni-T said...

Congratulations!!! They look fabulous just as I suspected they would. :o)

Carmennc said...

Oh gosh! You did a marvelous job.

PwrlftngMomma said...

Beautiful job!

Nu-Me said...

Very Nice! Congrats on completing your first install!

lotusdoll said...

So Proud of you!! Thanks for sharing the pics.

SisterlocksMD said...

congrats on your first client...maybe one day the 2009 pic will be up in a museum :)

Muse said...

Congratulations on this accomplishment! You did a wonderful job based on the pictures!

~~~~~~~~~~ said...

Congrats to you. I am so sure that her locks will stay looking great. Keep up the good work!! :)

Anonymous said...

Looks great! What did you use to curl your client's hair?

still waters said...

congrats Blaq. Amazing job!!! it is going to be interesting to watch you hone ur skills you go!!!

one love still

ps sky's the limit :)

Anonymous said...

WOWSER!!! You did an amazing job!!!

NappTown said...

Your work looks so neat and beautiful. You put a really nice set of locks in her hair. She is going to love them more and more as they mature. You work makes you look like a seasoned professional! :-)

Wendi aka "Wendosa" said...

Wow girl, you did it! You realized you dream and it looks soooo good. Can I come to Oklahoma and get mine redone??? Her hair looks fabulous. Congrats to you and glad to see you are settling in. May God continue to bless you and your business.

Anonymous said...

Hey Honey Bunny!!! I know my response is very very late but please know that I am sooo THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED with your work! I called one of my sorors in OKC to let her know that there is a bonafide SL trainee in the spot!

Sis. RJQueen10 said...

I will go to the mountain tops to be honored with the ability to be one of your clients. I need a retightening. Creyole showed me how to do my own and I need to do my own. However, I believe I need a refresher course! Your first client work is absolute PERFECTION! I am overwelmingly & exceedingly IMPRESSED !!!

You and Creyole have done such a marvelous task of creating freedom for young ladies with this Sisterlock movement!!! If those photos don't bring clients to you in HERDS,DROVES, and by the thousands (inially) and trillions (within one year) nothing can! I am considering getting my daughter locked she is six years old. You would be that person I ask for an appointment.

Sis. RJQueen10

Spicylocks said...

You did an awesome job. Reading all of your blogs convinced me to get sisterlocks. Your parting is outstanding. Continue the excellence!!!

brunsli said...

Congratulations! You did a wonderful job.

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BlaqKofi