Monthly Archives: February 2012

Viola Davis to Tavis Smiley: ‘The Mindset You Have is Destroying Black Artists’

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As an actor, I struggle with this all the time. Viola opened my narrow mind up completely. I am so often torn up about being a mixed woman of color in an industry that is so black and white. I always feel so much pressure when it comes to the type of roles I audition for and play. It’s actually made me shy away from the industry all together. My biggest fear when it comes to acting is that I will be caught out there mis-representing myself and for lack of a better word, Coonin. All artists need to watch this and take from it what you can. This is exactly what I needed to hear. 
Viola is an Actress. Not a Black Actress and there IS a difference.

Flowers From Fatima

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We first came across upon Fatima a while back when she wrote us introducing herself and her brand, Flowers from Fatima. As we got the talking we thought it would we a great idea to feature her and support this young 22 year old, female, black business owner.  Fatima impressed us because she has clear vision for her brand. She knows what she stands for and what she represents. Her designs are refreshing, elegant and perfect for a special occasion. 
Fatima was also gracious enough to send Antoinette one of her designs, a beautiful shimmery flower hair comb that will be featured in our next style tutorial. So read on to get to know this flourishing entrepreneur. 

                                                                                                                                                                      
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? How old are you? What do you do? 
Hey Curlies! My name is Fatima Spencer. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I’m 22 years old and I am a full-time florist and fashion designer of my own company, Flowers From Fatima. I design handmade hair flowers and floral accessories for everyday wear and special occasions, such as proms and weddings.

How long have you been a small business owner?
It has been 2 years since going into business with Flowers From Fatima.

You use some sort of flower in every accessory you design. What do they symbolize in your work?
Yes, the foundation of Flowers From Fatima is rooted in Mother Nature. For me, the flower is just one of Mother Nature’s many beautiful and most precious gifts bestowed upon us. I just ADORE flowers. Because of my rich past in cultivating a flower garden with my family, I was fortunate enough to see the beautiful effects of connecting with Nature. Flowers have come to symbolize peace, NATURAL beauty, positive energy, love, and hope. It is a dream of mine to be able to share this gift with you through my creativity. 

What makes your designs and accessories unique from other designers? 
Flowers From Fatima is unique in respect to other fashion companies in the sense that we create designs that reflect a natural sense of style. I pride myself in creating realistic looking silk floral accessories that mimic the beauty of Mother Nature. We carry chic, classy, yet very affordable floral accessories for women.

You adorn and crown hair for a living. In your opinion, what is the significance of a woman’s hair? 
In my opinion, a woman’s hair is a reflection of all that she is, inside and out. Healthy hair reflects a lifestyle of emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness; a woman’s hair can tell her story. Our DNA is written in our “spirals.” 

We are preparing to launch a campaign geared towards supporting black businesses in an effort to help our community get a piece of this billion dollar beauty industry pie. What are your thoughts on the state of black businesses to date?
That is WONDERFUL and I am so happy to know that individuals recognize how tremendous the hair and beauty industry is and the need for more members of our own community to take part in uplifting our children, women, and men, whether that be spiritually, financially, or physically through the production of healthy hair and beauty supplies, advertisements, and the like. I am happy to see that more people are patronizing fellow black businesses. There IS an increase in the number of black businesses and the success that they are experiencing. It is a new age. As people become more aware and follow this beautiful shift that we are witnessing toward natural hair and purity, businesses with roots in Nature and healthy living are FLOURISHING. It is a wonderful time for black businesses who specialize in healthy hair and body care. Yes, the state of black businesses could be MUCH better and in time, it WILL! 
Where do you see your business going? What is your goal?
Positive affirmation: Flowers From Fatima is continuing to flourish internationally and inspiring men and women to rediscover natural beauty! Things are already moving swiftly and it has been a beautiful journey. My goal is to continue introducing new and innovative products outside of hair accessories. I also hope to carry my accessories in major retail stores, as my products are carried in local boutiques at the moment. I also expect to dive more into the wedding industry this year and provide more beautiful accessories and decor for my customers.

Lastly, you are a young business owner of color doing your thing. What do you think the responsibility of the young gifted and black?
Thank you :) The responsibility of the “young, gifted, and black” is to share our gift with the world and INSPIRE so that future generations inherit all that is good, all that is better…In other words, all of the beautiful things.
                                                                                                                                                       

Check Out More Designs By Flowers From Fatima:

And Stay Tuned For Antoinette’s New Side Do That Feature’s One of Fatima’s Designs

The Alchemist: Legend of Narcissus

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♥Love’s Reflection♥
Source
“The Alchemist picked up a book that someone in the caravan had brought. Leafing through the pages, he found a story about Narcissus. The Alchemist knew the legend of Narcissus, a youth who daily knelt beside a lake to contemplate his own beauty. He was so fascinated by himself that, one morning, he fell into the lake and drowned. At the spot where he fell, a flower was born, which was called the narcissus. But this was not how the author of the book ended the story. He said that when Narcissus died, the Goddesses of the Forest appeared and found the lake, which had been fresh water, transformed into a lake of salty tears.“Why do you weep?” the Goddesses asked.“I weep for Narcissus,” the lake replied.“Ah, it is no surprise that you weep for Narcissus,” they said, “for though we always pursued him in the forest, you alone could contemplate his beauty close at hand.”“But….. was Narcissus beautiful?” the lake asked.“Who better than you to know that?” the Goddesses said in wonder, “After all, it was by your banks that he knelt each day to contemplate himself!”The lake was silent for some time. Finally it said:“I weep for Narcissus, but I never noticed that Narcissus was beautiful. I weep because, each time he knelt beside my banks, I could see, in the depths of his eyes, my own beauty reflected.”“What a lovely story,” the Alchemist thought.”
Is your glory reflected in your mate’s eyes?