With video: African-American women find beauty, liberation and business opportunities in the coils of their hair - Detroit Free Press

Pregnancy motivated Gwen Jimmere to stop using chemicals to straighten her thick, curly hair.

"I was pregnant and I knew anything I put on my body goes to the baby," says Jimmere, 29, of Canton.

Reading this story on a phone or tablet? Click here to see the video.

She had tried wearing her hair without a chemical straightener a decade earlier. But the fervor for the afros of the '60s and '70s was long over, and there was little information or encouragement on how to pull off a natural style.

Most black women, like Jimmere, were perming, hot-pressing or flat-ironing their kinky, curly hair. Straight hair -- better still, long straight hair -- was the way to fit in, the way to be pretty and conform to the standard of American beauty.

Fast-forward to 2011 when Jimmere chose to set her own standard by rocking her hair in all its natural glory. This go-round, she found an abundance of support -- meet-ups of women wearing natural hairstyles, books on natural hair care, celebrities talking about their stylish, natural dos.

But perhaps the biggest signifier of the current natural hair movement is found online. A community of women created a virtual pulpit for natural hair that includes social forums, video instructions, tutorials, product websites and personal testimonies.

It's not that black women aren't straightening their hair -- most still do. But a growing number of women of all ages are finding beauty, acceptance, liberation and business opportunities in wearing natural hairstyles like braids, locks, twists, knots, afros and various creations in-between.

"Women are sharing information on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, everywhere. It's endless," says Espy Thomas, 31, of Detroit, who with her sister Jennifer, 29, hosts periodic natural hair meet-ups that attract hundreds of women.

"More and more black women are opting to wear their natural hair and discontinue use of relaxers," says a 2011 Mintel report showing that from 2006 to 2011, the sales of relaxer kits dropped 17% to $38 million. The trend is "expected to continue," the report states.

Mintel is a global market research company. A consumer study it conducted showed that the percentage of black women who said they wore their hair natural jumped from 26% in 2010 to 36% in 2011.

"The shift from relaxed to natural is becoming so common that it has spurred growth of a whole new subsegment of products for women who are 'transitioning,' with products that minimize breakage as hair transitions from chemically straightened to curly or kinky," the report states.

It's also a booming business, says Sue Silva, marketing director for the Sofn'free, a hair care line. "Everybody in the business is starting to manufacturer a curly line," she says. And not just for African-American women.

"Our target is 70% African American and 30% other. A lot of other women -- Jewish, Latina and redheads who tend to have coarse, wiry, coiled textured hair -- are interested in these products. Caucasian women have curly hair, too."

She noted that Target, one of the nation's largest retailers, now has a section devoted to natural hair products in most of its stores. And several of those products are produced by companies owned by black women, including Miss Jessie's and Taliah Waajid.

Sharon Madison, president and CEO of the engineering firm Madison, Madison International in Detroit, went natural after chemicals made her hair weak and caused it to break off nearly 15 years ago.

"I wanted to symbolize that whether or not you're in business, in the arts, whatever your field, you can be yourself, and we have beautiful hair," Madison says.

Much to her surprise, people in the corporate and civic circles she frequents complimented her hair.

"I think the issue is for us to embrace ourselves and recognize our own beauty," says Madison, 58.

She knew she'd made the right decision when she got a treasured compliment a few years ago at a gala of the Friends of African and African-American Art at the Detroit Institute of the Arts.

"Sidney Poitier told me my hair was gorgeous," Madison says.

Women are going natural for many reasons, including the desire to live a healthier lifestyle in general, growing pride and appreciation for one's own hair, more celebs -- Viola Davis at the Oscars and Solange Knowles at the Met Ball in New York City -- signaling that natural hair is in and beautiful.

There's also more variety and creativity in styles, says Mo Williams, who works in a barber and beauty salon where she's the only natural stylist.

"More people see it can be funky or appealing even in the corporate world," says Williams, 24, who works at Little Willie's Hair Salon in northwest Detroit. "People no longer think you have to have hair straight or laid down to be attractive."

Several women also say natural hair allows black women to be more physically active. Moisture from sweat, rain or pool water can cause some black women's straight hair to bunch up or tightly curl, requiring extra time to restyle.

"I can go the gym, I can get in the pool and not be concerned about my hair," says Jennifer Thomas, cofounder with her sister of the Detroit meet-ups. "I don't have to run from the water when it rains."

Whatever the reason, women say they experience a sense of liberation after going natural.

"It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt free," says Jahzara Swyer, 30, of Detroit who has been wearing natural styles for 12 years. Her daughter, Naja, 6, and son, Menelik, 9, wear locks.

"I just couldn't take the pressure of maintaining my roots, always getting a perm to make sure my edges were perfectly straight. I needed to be me."

More Details: Many different looks

Two-strand twists: Intertwines two sections of hair to form loose twisted strands.

Cornrows: Braids that lay on the scalp and that are designed to form various shapes.

Twist-out: Styles created by simply untwisting strands or unbraiding hair.

Natural: Afros of various shapes and sizes.

Locks: Coiled, rope-like strands of hair of various thickness and length, created in various ways including allowing strands to form naturally by simply leaving the hair alone after washing, rubbing pieces of hair in the palm of the hand or using styling implements.

Sisterlocks: Super-thin, uniform, rope-like locks formed with a crochet-like needle. They can be styled many different ways.

View the original article here

With video: African-American women find beauty, liberation and business opportunities in the coils of their hair - Detroit Free Press

Pregnancy motivated Gwen Jimmere to stop using chemicals to straighten her thick, curly hair.

"I was pregnant and I knew anything I put on my body goes to the baby," says Jimmere, 29, of Canton.

Reading this story on a phone or tablet? Click here to see the video.

She had tried wearing her hair without a chemical straightener a decade earlier. But the fervor for the afros of the '60s and '70s was long over, and there was little information or encouragement on how to pull off a natural style.

Most black women, like Jimmere, were perming, hot-pressing or flat-ironing their kinky, curly hair. Straight hair -- better still, long straight hair -- was the way to fit in, the way to be pretty and conform to the standard of American beauty.

Fast-forward to 2011 when Jimmere chose to set her own standard by rocking her hair in all its natural glory. This go-round, she found an abundance of support -- meet-ups of women wearing natural hairstyles, books on natural hair care, celebrities talking about their stylish, natural dos.

But perhaps the biggest signifier of the current natural hair movement is found online. A community of women created a virtual pulpit for natural hair that includes social forums, video instructions, tutorials, product websites and personal testimonies.

It's not that black women aren't straightening their hair -- most still do. But a growing number of women of all ages are finding beauty, acceptance, liberation and business opportunities in wearing natural hairstyles like braids, locks, twists, knots, afros and various creations in-between.

"Women are sharing information on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, everywhere. It's endless," says Espy Thomas, 31, of Detroit, who with her sister Jennifer, 29, hosts periodic natural hair meet-ups that attract hundreds of women.

"More and more black women are opting to wear their natural hair and discontinue use of relaxers," says a 2011 Mintel report showing that from 2006 to 2011, the sales of relaxer kits dropped 17% to $38 million. The trend is "expected to continue," the report states.

Mintel is a global market research company. A consumer study it conducted showed that the percentage of black women who said they wore their hair natural jumped from 26% in 2010 to 36% in 2011.

"The shift from relaxed to natural is becoming so common that it has spurred growth of a whole new subsegment of products for women who are 'transitioning,' with products that minimize breakage as hair transitions from chemically straightened to curly or kinky," the report states.

It's also a booming business, says Sue Silva, marketing director for the Sofn'free, a hair care line. "Everybody in the business is starting to manufacturer a curly line," she says. And not just for African-American women.

"Our target is 70% African American and 30% other. A lot of other women -- Jewish, Latina and redheads who tend to have coarse, wiry, coiled textured hair -- are interested in these products. Caucasian women have curly hair, too."

She noted that Target, one of the nation's largest retailers, now has a section devoted to natural hair products in most of its stores. And several of those products are produced by companies owned by black women, including Miss Jessie's and Taliah Waajid.

Sharon Madison, president and CEO of the engineering firm Madison, Madison International in Detroit, went natural after chemicals made her hair weak and caused it to break off nearly 15 years ago.

"I wanted to symbolize that whether or not you're in business, in the arts, whatever your field, you can be yourself, and we have beautiful hair," Madison says.

Much to her surprise, people in the corporate and civic circles she frequents complimented her hair.

"I think the issue is for us to embrace ourselves and recognize our own beauty," says Madison, 58.

She knew she'd made the right decision when she got a treasured compliment a few years ago at a gala of the Friends of African and African-American Art at the Detroit Institute of the Arts.

"Sidney Poitier told me my hair was gorgeous," Madison says.

Women are going natural for many reasons, including the desire to live a healthier lifestyle in general, growing pride and appreciation for one's own hair, more celebs -- Viola Davis at the Oscars and Solange Knowles at the Met Ball in New York City -- signaling that natural hair is in and beautiful.

There's also more variety and creativity in styles, says Mo Williams, who works in a barber and beauty salon where she's the only natural stylist.

"More people see it can be funky or appealing even in the corporate world," says Williams, 24, who works at Little Willie's Hair Salon in northwest Detroit. "People no longer think you have to have hair straight or laid down to be attractive."

Several women also say natural hair allows black women to be more physically active. Moisture from sweat, rain or pool water can cause some black women's straight hair to bunch up or tightly curl, requiring extra time to restyle.

"I can go the gym, I can get in the pool and not be concerned about my hair," says Jennifer Thomas, cofounder with her sister of the Detroit meet-ups. "I don't have to run from the water when it rains."

Whatever the reason, women say they experience a sense of liberation after going natural.

"It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt free," says Jahzara Swyer, 30, of Detroit who has been wearing natural styles for 12 years. Her daughter, Naja, 6, and son, Menelik, 9, wear locks.

"I just couldn't take the pressure of maintaining my roots, always getting a perm to make sure my edges were perfectly straight. I needed to be me."

More Details: Many different looks

Two-strand twists: Intertwines two sections of hair to form loose twisted strands.

Cornrows: Braids that lay on the scalp and that are designed to form various shapes.

Twist-out: Styles created by simply untwisting strands or unbraiding hair.

Natural: Afros of various shapes and sizes.

Locks: Coiled, rope-like strands of hair of various thickness and length, created in various ways including allowing strands to form naturally by simply leaving the hair alone after washing, rubbing pieces of hair in the palm of the hand or using styling implements.

Sisterlocks: Super-thin, uniform, rope-like locks formed with a crochet-like needle. They can be styled many different ways.

View the original article here

Motor City Apparel Companies Clash - MyFox Detroit

BERKLEY, Mich. (WJBK) -- Detroit Motor Apparel is a small, home based business that operates out of a basement in Berkley. The owners say things were going well until they sent out a pitch to local retailers asking them to consider alternatives to Kid Rock's popular Made in Detroit brand.

"I also said with some of the negative attention surrounding Made in Detroit lately, some companies are looking for other options," said Colleen McClue.

That, obviously, touched a nerve because Made in Detroit President Tommy Duback admits calling McClue and telling her never to mention the company's name again.

"And that he would make sure that our brands were never sold in the same store again," McClue said.

Two days later, a Royal Oak business that was selling Detroit Motor Apparel's T-shirts along with Made in Detroit left this message cancelling their contract.

"The bottom line is I need to remain loyal to them, and I would just appreciate if we could return what we have left to you and just not go forward."

"So, now we've been kicked out of a store, which means in the future, we would actually lose business and profit because now they will not reorder from us," said McClue. "He made it sound like they would also stop us from future business opportunities, as well. That no matter where we sell, if they carry Made in Detroit, that they will not carry both of us."

We spoke to Duback by phone and to the owner of the store in question. Both say it was the store's decision to cancel the contract and Made in Detroit did not pressure them into doing it.

Duback went on to say Kid Rock bought Made in Detroit to help local retailers and mom and pop operations.

Detroit Motor Apparel says while their basement business has taken a hit, they will keep making T-shirts and selling them online and at Wayne Community College bookstores and looking for other retailers to spread their version of Motor City pride.

View the original article here

Geocachers leap at opportunity to check Feb. 29 off list - Detroit Free Press

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Chris Dickens climbs mountains to win GPS-guided treasure hunts; he crawls into caves, too.

But like thousands of others obsessed with geocaching, the 42-year-old from Watertown, Tenn., never has had the chance to find a hidden cache on a Leap Day. It matters because one of the ultimate self-imposed challenges in the world of geocaching is to complete a hunt successfully on every calendar day.

That task can take years, especially if you miss a date that rolls around only once every four years. But the rewards are twofold: bragging rights and the placement of a digital icon, known by insiders as a "souvenir," on the geocacher's online profile at Geocaching.com.

"The whole rush for the leap-year cache is that everybody's wanting to at least get one of these days filled in," Dickens said. "Four years ago, I had no idea geocaching even existed."

This leap day, only the third since geocaching came on the scene in 2000, has a chance to draw out enough hobbyists -- GPS devices in hand -- to break the record of 78,313 caches uncovered in a single day. More than 900 events, some involving multiple hidden caches, are scheduled worldwide.

Sharon Thompson, co-organizer of the Middle Tennessee Geocaching Club, compared the challenge of filling the geocache calendar to another popular one: completing hunts in all 50 states.

"It's a big day," she said. "If they miss this date it will be four years before they can do it again."

Aaron Wadzinski, 34, of Murfreesboro said social events often serve as geocaches.

Wadzinski offers online clues that lead geocachers to a 53-gallon barrel he keeps inside a wooden wishing well in his front yard. He tucks a small note inside encouraging those who find it to ring his doorbell to say "hello."

Other geocachers tap into historical clues, puzzles and multiple destinations along scenic drives.

There are so many hidden caches that a dedicated hunter could spend a year finding a different one for every calendar day -- so long as they chose a leap year to do it, Dickens said.

"It's just a day that comes and goes," he said, "for most people."

Copyright 2012 USA TODAY

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Prentice Restaurant Group to expand - Detroit Free Press

Restaurateur Matt Prentice says an improving Michigan economy and new business opportunities a year after he filed for personal bankruptcy are allowing him to open four new restaurants and hire 300 workers.

Besides the previously announced Gastronomy restaurant at 1 Towne Square in Southfield, the newcomers will be a resurrection of Prentice's former Morels, set to open in Farmington Hills; a variation of his Deli Unique brand, located in Milford, and a kosher restaurant suitable for special occasions and business dining in the Huntington Woods-Berkley-Royal Oak area, he said Monday.

Gastronomy, which will open this spring in the former Morton's steakhouse space, will need 50 employees. Prentice also needs 50 more employees for his catering operation at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. The Morels project will require 100 new employees; 50 more will be needed at Deli Unique and 50 will be hired for the kosher restaurant.

Prentice started catering for Adat Shalom in November, and "catering there is off the hook because the Michigan economy is starting to come around," he said.

The new Morels should open by late March on Northwestern Highway, south of 14 Mile. The original Morels, which was in Bingham Farms and featured a Michigan-themed menu, closed in 2006.

Prentice said he is looking at sites this week for the kosher restaurant -- a bistro that will serve lunch and dinner.

He wouldn't say where the new Deli Unique in Milford will open because he and the owner only have a verbal agreement.

"It's nice to be adding jobs instead of getting rid of them," he said, referring to past closings.

His chief investor, attorney Stanley Dickson Jr., took over Prentice's company in October 2009 for financial reasons. It became Trowbridge Restaurant Group for a time, but the venues are again being marketed as the Matt Prentice Restaurant Group, with Prentice as CEO.

Prentice declared personal bankruptcy in January 2011. "That scared a lot of the business community away ... but as soon as we announced Gastronomy, the phones started to ring," he said.

It signaled that his personal bankruptcy had not affected his businesses, he said. "People realized we were fine. ... In fact, things have never been better than they are right now, and we're anxious to capitalize on it."

Contact Sylvia Rector: 313-222-5026

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