Wow. It’s kind of crazy to sit back and reflect on how much my life has changed since August 2006.
Back when I started Afrobella, there weren’t nearly as many other natural hair blogs or websites on the scene, and there weren’t that many sites that specifically sought to celebrate the natural beauty of women of color.
Please feel free to step in and correct me for any oversight. Back then I remember regularly reading Motown Girl, Nappturality, and perhaps Going Natural was around at that time too. Beauty bloggers I remember regarding as my peers were The Makeup Girl, All About The Pretty, 55 Secret Street, and the Organic Beauty Expert.
YMIB started around the same time that I did, and I know she’ll agree it’s been an amazing journey indeed.
Since I started this here blog, it’s evolved into much more than just an outlet for personal expression, and much more than just the online version of the print magazine I wanted to read but couldn’t find anywhere. Afrobella has changed my life completely.
Initially this was an outlet from the box my job had penned me into, a platform to share the ideas that my former editor in chief wasn’t trying to hear. Flash forward to 2009, I’ve quit that job and left those restrictions behind. Now I’m trying my damndest to make this the thing that I do full time. I moved from Miami to Chicago, and have found a new outlook on life. So far, so great!
When I look back on my earliest blog posts, I see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve changed. There are things I regret, series of posts I started passionately then lost steam on, and experiences I’ve learned from. Through it all, my mission remains the same — to shine a positive light on the lives and the beauty of women of color, to inform and uplift those of us who find ourselves outside of what the mainstream magazine industry chooses to continually feature. My mission is to encourage more and more women of color to love ourselves as we are. I’m gonna keep on keepin’ on!
This morning I woke up to amazing news — I’m a finalist for the Best Culture category in the 2009 Black Weblog Awards. I’m psyched to be nominated alongside so many of the friends I’ve made in the blogosphere, and it’s a true honor to have made the list. What a wonderful validation. Click here to vote!
To celebrate this anniversary, I’m getting back to Afrobella basics. This month is entirely devoted to celebrating black beauty in our glorious variety. Like I always say, all shades of beautiful. And like the other thing I always say, the best is yet to come!
Thank you all for reading and supporting my blog. It means the world to me!
Congrats on your nomination! That’s exciting.
Hi Patrice! Congrats on your nomination. I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now and although I’m not a natural I enjoy reading the variety of information that you share with regards to beauty in general. Much success to you! and keep up the good work.
Congratulations to you! You more than deserve all the recognition given to you. I’ve recently started my own blog and its because of you and the people that log on to my blog that gives me the drive to continue moving on even when I feel like giving up! Thank you for all the great posts you have given us and I love forward to celebrating 6 years of blogging with you! You have given natural black women an outlet to be so proud of our natural beauty! Cheers!!!
Congratulations! Well deserved.
Congratulations again!!! I must say as a reader, it’s so refreshing to see a take on cultural beauty standards that aren’t of the “what’s wrong with your hair?” school of thought. As a young, broke bella who’s still trying to find her way, you give me a bit of encouragement, whether you know it or not. 🙂
-Beez (or @BeezHunny, whichever you prefer)
Congrats!!! As a fellow natural, I love and appreciate your blog. 🙂
Congratulations!
Congrats! I love Afrobella – keep those inspirational post coming :o)
Congrats! from all here at home.
Keep up with your quality and commitment. Hugs
This is a truly noble cause. May you succeed beyond your wildest dreams.
Congrats!
Congratulations on a wonderful 3 years!
Happy Anniversary Bella!
I’ve loved your blog from the very first day I discovered it and I keep on coming back! Cannot wait to see what good things life has in store for you 🙂
Happy Bellaversary 😉
Congratulations. Well deserved indeed.
Congratulations! Keep up the awesome work!
Your blog was one of the first (if not THE FIRST) I was sent to when I started transitioning and I still keep coming back 🙂
em hem…. “Congratula-a-a-a-tions….” (in my best Vesta voice). I have been reading your blog for about a year and I love it! It’s the first blog that I read everyday. Thank you for being a voice for us natural-haired lovelies!
Congrats! I’ve actually been reading your blog for about 2 years (the length of time I’ve been natural). Your blog has been a BIG inspiration to me. 🙂
Many congrats to you I have been following your blog since it started and it is an inspiration. You deserve all of the greatness that is coming your way.
xo,
CC
Congrats, lady. You’ve got one (of many, I’m sure) in your corner over here routing for your continued success! Keep the blog posts coming 😉
Great site. I cast my vote in your favour