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Natural hair in the workplace has been the subject of much discussion in and outside of the blogosphere and media. Should we, as corporate sisters, allow ourselves to wear our hair natural in the workplace? Or should we take the “Hairy” hair issue out of the equation altogether and not draw additional attention to ourselves? After all, we are here to work, and not to make a statement of any sort, right? There are enough stereotypes playing against us, and enough prejudice affecting us as it is to try and add to the already unbalanced equation of race and power? Right? Well, I happen to think wrong…
When I went natural almost two years ago, my biggest fear, like so many among us, is that my decision was going to negatively impact my career. That I would be perceived as different, rebellious, and unprofessional. As I scoured magazines, blogs and websites on natural hair in the workplace, my fears and apprehensions kept growing. Yet I knew that this was bigger than myself, that it was a personal decision that I had to take for my own sake. For my own personal reasons that I won’t elaborate on in this post, I made the decision and never looked back. And as a corporate sister, I was ready to face the consequences, and most importantly, to defend myself against these, as a professional and as a human being.
Yet to my very surprise, things did not play out as I had imagined them. The movie in my mind did not reconcile with the reality, and I have to admit that I was the first one dumbfounded. Sporting my natural hair in the workplace actually gave me confidence, strength and power, much of it that I struggled to muster before. In my authentic self, I found compassion for myself and my struggles, and learnt to be more accepting of who I am; which in turn gave me the courage and boldness to aspire to bigger and better things, especially in the workplace. As one of the only corporate sisters out there, I did feel that my hair was making a statement, and that unlike preconceived notions, that it was a very much needed statement. The workplace, as every other place, is also a cultural space, where various personalities and cultures interact. Yes, it is mostly about work and performance, but the foundation of it all is people. And people come in all forms, shapes, colors and hair textures, and taking the hair out of the equation, with what Black hair has meant and means to us through time, history and culture, is also silencing an important part of the corporate culture.
As much as we are to respect every one’s choice when it comes to who they are and how they wish to present themselves, we also have to dispel the notion that the cost of expressing our authentic self is, or could be, exclusion from the professional sphere. Although this may certainly draw negative attention, and has actually unfortunately happened in many a workplace, there are also positive examples and happy endings to some of our hair stories. As I faced the obvious questions about my hair, through my own personal struggle to walk out the door every morning with hair that now had a mind of its own, as I learnt to stand tall in the “un-conforming” fullness of this wooly, curly, temperamental mane of mine, I also learnt to teach others about myself. And in the process, I learnt that regardless of hair texture or cultural origins, the human spirit is more responsive to authenticity than we dare to believe. That if you dare to present yourself as you are, while offering your best effort, and rising to the challenge as you are called, that you may actually succeed…That you will certainly face challenges and obstacles in your way, yet at the end of the day, you would have given yourself a unique, incomparable edge in the workplace, and everywhere else…
Do you think your natural hair can give you a professional edge?
The Corporate Sister.
Yeah! I wondered too, whether I should straighten my hair for an interview, but if I obviously choose to go natural and they would fire me for being curly one day, I’d rather know up front and find another job, then afterwards when I invested so much time in…
I went to my last interview with my natural hair tied back, still looked professional but you could clearly see the natural curl pattern in it. And a few weeks later, another sister sporting natural hair was hired as well. I love to see natural sisters in the workplace, and I’ve gotten more compliments at work on my natural hair than for all the years when my hair was stick straight. So if you are going to go natural anyways, you should go ahead and interview that way too. If you want to be on the safer side when interviewing, just pull it back in a low ponytail or a nice bun and you should be good to go. I found that my hair transition went much smoother at work than I initially thought. Let me know how you make out 🙂
Thanks!
I never had an issue when I went natural in 1994 living in Atlanta, Georgia. Folks til me I had to perm it to interview for jobs but I paid them no mind. I have received promotions, exceeded bonuses and salary increase potential and am respected by my co-workers and vendors I manage. Very few of them look like me. I never gave it a scene thought and it never gave me cause for pause. I actually frequently receive compliments on my hair and it’s versatility.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your testimony! I had a similar experience, and when you say that no one looks like you, I also felt that wearing my natural hair made me so much more unique. I found people remember me more, and also respect us for our choices. And the compliments do come as well, which is always pleasant 🙂 Thank you for your comment!
Oh yes. One day I straightened my hair and one of my co-workers told me he didn’t care for it because now I looked like everyone else (I was the only woman of color in Management at that time). LOL
So yesterday I had my first face to face interview, and they emailed me today and asked if I can come back tomorrow to meet with the head honcho!
Congratulations! All the best to you! If anything, your hair and all that you bring will make you more successful than you’ve ever imagined! So happy for you 🙂
Yep, Thank! had my second interview and I think it went well.
Great post! I remember this being a great cause for discussion back in law school when we were all gearing up for 2nd year interviews. I went to Howard and there were many natural ladies in my class. Career services advisers pretty much told them to get a wig in case or straighten their hair for interviews. Then they said once you get that offer, you can do as you please lol. I just finished transitioning this year and I do wonder how to wear my hair sometimes. I have a wig in case (also to protect my hair or if I’m lazy with styling) but I also feel that my natural hair can look professional, like you said. My hair is short right now, but as it grows, I’d definitely be open to pulling it back or doing another fitting professional style.
Hi Udeme! Thanks for your comment! Your natural hair can certainly look professional, there are many styling options, even for short hair, that make natural hair a great option in the workplace. I’m actually drafting an article on natural hairstyles for professional sisters, it should be on the blog tomorrow. I myself have been a natural for almost two years, and although I did go through a pretty frustrating in-between stage, I’m finding more and more styling options for my natural hair (despite my laziness with hair styling). SO check us out tomorrow, we’ll have an article on this :). Thanks again!
Great, thanks!
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