This past month, was privileged enough to experience real magic. Whenever I talk natural hair or the accomplishments of my friends, #BlackGirlMagic I feel truly empowered. There was a room of girls, with natural hair. Beauty was all around me coming from every directions, shining through all the cracks and spaces between the plants. It was #FroDayATL .
Froday was created by Niá Pettitt, aka @frogirlginny on Instagram, aka Niá the Light. She created #FroDay as a platform to encourage and inspire women to be their best selves and embrace the most natural and raw parts of them. It started out with hair — now Niá is on a quest to use her platform for something bigger, and that was clear when FroDayATL started. Sponsored by DevaCurl, Niá toured the U.S for this trip and made Atlanta a stop, it was meant to be!
FroDayATL was hosted at Loca Luna– a premiere tapas restaurant and lounge in Atlanta. We all walked in, and there were gift bags by everyone’s seats with products from DevaCurl. These products are super expensive so I was grateful for the chance to try even 2 of them! In true Haitian fashion, I showed up late, but all was well because everyone was just settling in. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone because where is the fun in spoilers? The funny thing about all of this is that as we were looking around the room it was clear that some of us recognized each other from Instagram so it was funny to recognize and make introductions in person. We all stood up and said why we were there, our names and a quality we liked best about ourselves. I said that I liked my determination and drive. One girl in the room said that she liked something physical about herself the most– her eyebrows, but everyone else mentioned character traits. When Niá bought it to our attention, the room fell silent, and there were scattered chuckles. I think as young women growing up we are taught not to be vain, and this can hold us back from loving all parts of ourselves, what is inside and out.
And so, Niá challenged us to love and embrace all of it– the good, the bad, the ugly. To own our insecurities and work toward throwing them away, and to love our flaws. For me it was my skin– since stopping Proactiv +, a horrible acne drug, my face has been raging with acne. I haven’t felt confident, I hide from the camera, but most of all, I hide. But in that room, with all of us together, young women and grown, I didn’t have to hide. I made friends that I still am in contact with today, and my community of curl friends has grown immensely. We took pictures, and laughed, connected and we all shined together. It was an amazing end to the summer and the beginning of my senior year of University-I won’t too soon forget.
The girls and I — we connected. Over the simplest thing, hair, and it should always be that simple, that organic. Some of their spirits, I could feel them, and those ladies I am still connected with today. The event lasted all of 3 hours and I found myself eager to make plans and see these girls again, to be around them again, so we could all be in that feel-good energy that came so easily to us that day. These curl friends will last a long time.
Thank you to DevaCurl for sponsoring this wonderful event and a big thank you to Niá, who I call a friend. She thinks Cancers are crazy, but she can’t get rid of me now! My Gemini sister, and friend, I hope to see you back in ATL soon, but until then– Happy FroDay everyone!! I challenge you guys to embrace you– all parts, the good, the bad, the ugly, your insecurities and strengths. All of you.
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Sending so much love and bright vibes your way. xoxo
Sincerely,
Subi
