Feminine Transitions Book Launch…Success!

I am truly excited and humbled by the pouring of love for my book launch party this past Sunday, October 27, 2013 at Busboys and Poets. Many people came in support of me and my message of embracing our natural beauty. It actually hit home not only for women but for men as well.

We had great dialogue, genuine connections and an amazing night overall. Most of the audience I didn’t know personally but definitely made new friends by the end of the night.

Enjoy the pictures from my event! If your interested in purchasing copies of Feminine Transitions, you can place an order on Amazon (hardcover or ebook).

I must give a shout out to all of my sponsors. Presentation Sponsor – The Umbrella Syndicate for taking photos and capturing my event and Partner Sponsor – Uprising Builders. Thank you to our Samples Sponsors for blessing the guest bags with your wonderful products – Anu Essentials, Smarty Pants Vitamins, Shea Radiance, N Natural Hair Studio, Miss Jessie’s and Nature’s Gate.

Also, thanks to photographer Jeff Brooks for capturing my event as well.

I appreciate you tremendously!

Alyscia Cunningham talking about Feminine Transitions

Audience for Alyscia Cunningham’s book release of Feminine Transitions. Took place at busboys and poets.

© Jeff Brooks Photography / J Gregory Media Group, LLC

Ken Rochon, our Presentation Sponsor and founder of The Umbrella Syndicate

I’m Cutting It Off!

Yes, you read it right. I’m cutting my hair completely off, for the first time in my life.

I’ve cut my hair lower many times but this will be the first time I’m doing the “Big Chop“.

To be honest, I’ve wanted to cut my hair for a few years. Despite the constant headaches and head colds after going swimming (the thickness of my hair makes drying time much longer) I continued to hold onto to it. Then had to remember I AM NOT MY HAIR.

I’m too attached and I truly want to let it go.

For the first time, I experienced fear and doubt about me. Saying quietly to myself, or in my mind, I wonder how I’ll look without my hair?  Very similar to the feelings of the women in my book, Feminine Transitions, having a difficult time being photographed without make-up. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is not as easy as I thought.

Although it’s a different situation, the idea is similar and I now understood the feelings these women experienced.

Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to a fresh start. Fifteen years of locks shed from by body.

Alyscia Cunningham

It helps that Michelle Obama’s hair stylist, Mr. Johnny Wright, will be cutting my hair. Not to the mention, The Big Chop to Stop Cancer benefits ZuriWorks’ Exposures Project, an expressive photography program and traveling photo exhibition shot by Kea Taylor and breast cancer survivors. The program provides a rare glimpse into the lives of cancer survivors whose stories would otherwise go untold. To learn more about and support the program visit ZuriWorks.org.

It only feels right that I’m not only doing it for self-gratification, but I am also helping and organization that helps others.

If your in the DMV area please show your support and RSVP here. Event to be held on Thursday, Oct. 24th, 6pm-9pm at 1133 15th St NW, Washington, D.C.

Know someone willing to do the Big Chop?  Please let forward this information.

Not in the DMV area? It’s ok, you can still make a donation. Only 4 days to help make ZuriWorks crowd funding campaign successful. Help by making a contribution today.

On another note I’m going to San Diego, CA! Read more…

“Letter to My Daughter” – Poem by Maya Angelou

“Letter to My Daughter” – Poem by Maya Angelou.

My Daughter Has Skills

I am very proud to announce that my daughter, Serenity,  is the 1st place winner of FotoWeek DC Youth Photo Contest. She put it out in the Universe that she was going to win the prize of a $100 digital camera. I say it’s well deserved.

A model at Metamorphosis Fashion Show

Her prize winning photograph is placed above but I’m also sharing the other images she submitted below.

What I saw through my living room window

Serenity’s creativity is versatile and I knew she took to the gene of an artist when she was a baby. She would use a crayon and scribble the prettiest colors and patterns. Unfortunately, my wall was her canvas. Once she got a little older I did purchase an easel  then a Vtech digital camera for her.

Baby with sunglasses

All images were shot with her kiddie camera. I say has definitely inherited the artist gene. Congrats to my beautiful and talented 2nd grader!

Photographer and author, Alyscia Cunningham, joins me in the booth to discuss her first book, Feminine Transitions

Photographer and author, Alyscia Cunningham, joins me in the booth to discuss her first book, Feminine Transitions.

Let your Light Shine Through: Celebrate Your Natural Beauty

Image from Feminine Transitions

As young as I can remember, my father always made it a point to tell me I was beautiful, just as I am. He was completely against me altering my hair from its natural state and wearing make-up as a necessity.

Despite my dad’s positive reinforcement, I went through a period of not feeling very beautiful. I was at the beginning stages of puberty and it wasn’t an easy time period. Besides that, when I looked in magazines and viewed TV the “pretty girls” didn’t look anything like me.

After a few years I grew to see the beauty that my father embedded in my head. And although I did perm my hair as a pre-teen, 5 years later I cut it off and went back my natural.

Hearing such positive reinforcement from the first man in my life, prepared me for what I believe would have most likely destroyed me. Society.

Read more…