By Patricia Carroll (pictured above)
I’ve been natural for a long time but when my stylist and friend died of cancer I didn’t want anyone else to do my hair. A close sister friend of mine was battling cancer around the same time, so when she cut her hair off I did too. I work in the news/entertainment business as a technician so I didn’t think twice about the styles I would get. I wasn’t comfortable with the look at first, so after a few mishaps I found a great barber and started to get designs. I wanted something funky, cool and different with easy maintenance, and the short cut provides that.
My hair styles are well received at work, I’ve never had an issue, I’m always getting compliments. I’ve covered several high end events in my career. There was one occasion when I had to travel for work, at the time I was rocking a flower painted in my hair. I asked my supervisor if it was okay to travel and represent the company with the cut. His response was, “Sure no problem.” After being told early in my career that I couldn’t wear any natural hair styles trying to make it in the radio/TV business, I feel extremely lucky to work in a profession and an environment that allows and appreciates natural hair.
Ladies, do you rock unconventional styles to work? Share your photos and experiences!
Patricia’s hair was cut and styled by Morono Hodge of Washington, DC and Fred (da barber) Rainey of Capital Heights, MD.
