INSPIRING YOUTH INTERVIEW WITH NIA GRAY

Natural E Beautiful: Good afternoon Nia! Thank you for being our first interviewee on naturalebeautiful.com! How are you? 

Nia: Hello Imani! I'm excited to be the first interviewee, other words I'm fine, very excited on how the Packers beat the Cowboys, it's a good day so far.

Natural E Beautiful: Lol that's awesome! What was the score? 

Nia: 26-21 Packers taking the win.

Natural E Beautiful: Cool!! So Nia, Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Nia: First off My name is Nia Gray, I'm 16 years old, and I'm currently a Junior at Pius Xi High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I like to describe myself as young entrepreneur on the rise. I'm also apart of Urban Underground which is a youth based leadership organization, that focuses on the issues in our community. Honestly my goal in life is to be successful, stay humble, and be happy.

Natural E Beautiful: Outstanding! You're an awesome example of a young person who's preparing themselves for a promising future! what's your natural hair story? Can you tell us what made you return to natural hair? 

Nia: When I was about 7 years of age, like other mothers have done to their children, I got a relaxer, yes creamy crack! Slowly by slowly I noticed my hair to get shorter, my mom immediately took me to our family hairstylist, who told my mother and I that the relaxer was too harsh. We learned our lessen, of course! Braids was the answer until I was 14. On January 1st, 2013, I got the big chop, I was officially baldhead. During that year I kept it simple, with wash and go's, and finger coils. I saw so much growth from that time period. I went from 1inch of hair, to my hair passing my neck line, but do too shrinkage it was unnoticeable. I became natural for myself, to be free of harsh chemicals, too achieve length and thickness, and luckly it boosted my confidence within myself! Natural Hair has taught me too love myself and simply feel beautiful in my skin. 

Natural E Beautiful: Wow, that's amazing! That's exactly why I created Natural E Beautiful, I want people to understand that this is not a fad, it's a movement, it's creating young girls and women who are learning the importance of embracing their natural beauty and excepting who they are regardless of what others think. Can you tell us about your business? 

Nia: Currently I have an on the go hair business, I'm an upcoming hairstylist. It started off with compliments of a hairstyle on myself, next thing I know  people were blowing my phone up! I realized I can make serious cash doing something I like. Now I'm booked with appointments, even months in advanced! That's going great so far. I prefer to style natural hairstyles, and I spealize in dread[LOCS]. Now, don't be fooled,  If a nivae, under construction 16 year old can brand something and do it, produce a nice income and create a business everyone can! My goal is to make all my clients beautiful, and embrace their natural beauty! 

Natural E Beautiful: You're awesome!! I noticed that you emphasized the word LOCS, why is that? 

Nia: I emphasized locs because it is the natural state of hair for majority of our community! Dread is such a terrible word in my opinion, it's objected toward the meaning of dark or tired hateful words like that. Locs are just the beautiful natural state of our hair.

Natural E Beautiful: I completely agree with that! What has being natural done for your character, has it changed you in any way? 

Nia: Like I mentioned before it has completely boosted my confidence, and the love I have for myself, also I have inspired others too. Natural hair has inspired me to be healthier and have a healthier lifestyle. 

Natural E Beautiful: I love how this natural movement is more than just about our hair, women are able to accept who they are and embrace their beauty in the process of returning natural. It's beautiful to witness! Lastly, what advice would you give to someone returning natural, who's having a hard time with the process and they're ready to give up? 

Nia: I recommend getting the big cut! It's manageable and beautiful, or protective styles and remembering to get those ends trimmed.

Natural E Beautiful: Great advice! Thanks so much Nia for being our first interviewee on naturalebautiful.com! I appreciate the support! Keep being great! 

Nia: Your Welcome doll!

- Natural E Beautiful

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